All Free and Clear VS. Dreft Baby Detergent

When I was pregnant with my first child, I realized the amazing amount of choices a mother has when it comes to choosing things for her child. For instance, diapers, wipes, formula, and laundry detergents. All are important decisions one has to make. When it came closer to my due date, I realized I needed to choose a quality laundry detergent to keep my baby's clothes clean, and stain free.

The first detergent I came across was Dreft Baby Laundry Detergent. When you open the bottle, it has a wonderful baby powder scent. Smells just like a warm, cuddly baby. I figured, this must be the best, since it is made specifically for baby clothes. However, the price was a little astounding. I knew from friends, that you are constantly doing laundry when you have a child. Spit up, poopy diapers that leaked, and left a lovely yellow stain on the clothes. A 100 oz bottle ran approximately $9. Wow. It also seems, if you are going to spend that amount of money, you'd need to only wash the babies clothes in it to get the most for your money. Which, in the long run would equal more time spent washing clothes, and more water consumption. Dreft Baby Laundry Detergent is not perfume free. If your child has exzema, or other sensitivities, you would need to go with another detergent to prevent their skin from becoming irritated. Dreft Baby Laundry Detergent is dye-free. I have rarely seen coupons put out for Dreft Baby to help you save money. Dreft Baby Laundry Detergent is available in either a liquid or powder form.

All Free & Clear is a dye and perfume free detergent, to help those with skin sensitivities, and allergies. It does not have a scent to it, and it is a clear liquid. I was very impressed with the price. A 100 oz bottle ran approximately $5. I also had a coupon, which saved me even more. With it, I knew I could wash the babies clothes with mine, and not worry about it. I loved the fact that it was dye and perfume free. It is also now offered in All Small & Mighty 3X. It comes in a small bottle that is perfect for those of you who have to go to a laundromat to launder your clothing.

I bought a bottle of each, and decided to do a little experimentation of my own. I got home, and got out some of my husband's old tee-shirts. Out came the grease, mud, grass, and some grape juice. I dirtied up two shirts, and set them outside to "bake" in the sun for 24 hours. The next day, those shirts were nasty. I decided to test the Dreft Baby first. I threw the shirt in the washer, and turned on the warm water. I measured the soap according the load size. Off to sit and get something else done. A short while later, I hear the signal to let me know the cycle is complete. I open the door, it smells great! I pull out the shirt, and it is mostly clean. I put it in the dryer, and start phase two. I put the next shirt in with a cycle of warm water, put the recommended amount of All Free & Clear detergent in for the load size. It was now time for a break. When I hear two buzzers going off, I go and check the dryer first. The shirt is fairly clean, but at closer inspection, there is still a shadow of the grape juice stain, and the grass stains. It effectively cut the grease from the shirt. The drying process did get rid of the nice baby scent though. I throw the All Free & Clear shirt into the dryer. A short while later, I check the shirt. It is free of stains! I knew then that All Free & Clear was the definite choice for me. Why throw away my hard earned money on a baby detergent that the scent is gone after the drying cycle, and does not cut through stains like All Free & Clear.