Which baby detergent does not fade clothes?

[aristocatz]

Just tried a new "free & clear" detergent and my daughter's clothes faded & pilled after the wash was done-so disappointed

Got any recommendations on a detergent that is free of dyes & keeps clothes looking new?

Thanks!

 

[bcla]

Fading is inherent to certain dyes, but the fading may be sped up by the chlorine or chloramine in municipal water. P&G used to market Cheer as ideal for colors with something designed to reduce color fading. They may also include a chlorine neutralizer (sodium thiosulfate). However, I haven't seen any of their dye free detergent for some time but it may still be available. You could also try something like chlorine neutralizer used for aquariums, although they can get pricey.

 

[laughinplace199]

I always used Dreft when my kids were babies and I use All Free & Clear now. I've never had any fading issues.

 

[Lilliputian]

I use Charlie's Soap for the whole family, including babies. I have for years. We have very sensitive skin, and it's one of the few detergents on the market that none of us are allergic to. It's even more free and clear than most of the detergents marked "free and clear." We've never had problems with fading.

 

[dismomtfj]

I make my own. Works best and MUCH cheaper ($20 for 6 months + worth of laundry)! Tons of "recipes" out there.

 

[Christine]

Might not be the detergent but the clothing itself. I've really never had an issue with any detergent fading my clothing.

 

[sksjasams]

I also used Dreft. I think my DS's clothes still looked almost new by the time they were outgrown. I think it helped prevent fading. I don't think laundry soap causes pilling though. I think that is caused by the fabric itself. Maybe lower quality? You could try Dreft and also try washing all of her clothes inside out. That will definitely help prevent fading too.

 

[bcla]

Pilling can be reduced by air drying - especially if it's synthetic. At home we use a rack and a small fan.

 

[Imzadi]

P&G used to market Cheer as ideal for colors with something designed to reduce color fading. They may also include a chlorine neutralizer (sodium thiosulfate). However, I haven't seen any of their dye free detergent for some time but it may still be available

I swear by Cheer, even though they stopped advertizing that it stops fading. I haven't had a problem with fading since I started using it, several years ago. Not even on my cottons, which are notorious for fading. It's not a baby detergent though. It does have fragrance and dye.

I don't think laundry soap causes pilling though. I think that is caused by the fabric itself. Maybe lower quality?

The only clothes I've ever had pill are 100% polyester or acrylic. I never wear those materials for that reason, along with the fact they aren't very breathable and hold odor like you wouldn't believe.

There are special clothing shavers that can remove pilling. They take a little bit of practice to use. You have to keep the clothing stretched flat and tight. Any wrinkle may accidentally get caught in the shaver and get a knick in the fabric. But, it does take off pills quite well and clothes look like new again.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Whitmor-Deluxe-Fabric-Shaver/16523692

Pilling can be reduced by air drying

Heat from the dryers also causes fading, too, especially on natural fabrics like cottons, denim, wool, linen. I had three of the same, all cotton t-shirts, in a bright blue, that I hung to dry for years. Never faded because I use Cheer and wash in cold water. One of the t-shirts accidentally went in the dryer. Immediately after that ONE time, when I pulled it out of the dryer, I noticed it had faded about 20%. Grr! I laid it against the other two t-shirts that were in the same wash load but line dried, yep, the fading was quite noticeable.

Washing natural fabric clothes in too hot a temperature can cause fading too. The only thing I wash in hot water and throw in the dryer are whites and sheets. Everything else gets washed in cold water. And only stuff I don't care about fading, from that pile, get tossed in the dryer.

 

[bcla]

I swear by Cheer, even though they stopped advertizing that it stops fading. I haven't had a problem with fading since I started using it, several years ago. Not even on my cottons, which are notorious for fading. It's not a baby detergent though. It does have fragrance and dye.

The only clothes I've ever had pill are 100% polyester or acrylic. I never wear those materials for that reason, along with the fact they aren't very breathable and hold odor like you wouldn't believe.

Heat from the dryers also causes fading, too, especially on natural fabrics like cottons, denim, wool, linen. I had three of the same, all cotton t-shirts, in a bright blue, that I hung to dry for years. Never faded because I use Cheer and wash in cold water. One of the t-shirts accidentally went in the dryer. Immediately after that ONE time, when I pulled it out of the dryer, I noticed it had faded about 20%. Grr! I laid it against the other two t-shirts that were in the same wash load but line dried, yep, the fading was quite noticeable.

Washing natural fabric clothes in too hot a temperature can cause fading too. The only thing I wash in hot water and throw in the dryer are whites and sheets. Everything else gets washed in cold water. And only stuff I don't care about fading, from that pile, get tossed in the dryer.

There is "Cheer Free" but I haven't seen it for a while. It used to come in the same blue bottle as the scented version, but P&G now uses a white bottle (similar to Tide Free). They're also now marketing it as cheaper and I'm seeing fewer ads. Of course almost everything P&G does with brands is market differentiation.

I've got polyester that's never pilled. Some have a cotton-like texture and you'd be hard pressed to tell it wasn't cotton. Also - long run, cotton will continued to get stiffer - especially as it starts losing fiber. Now polyester fleece is another matter. Also - breathability is something that's not really well defined. Many of my synthetics use silver to keep the stink down. On a hot day they also won't stay soaked from sweat like cotton.

It's not just heat but the mechanical action of rubbing clothes in the dryer.

 

[moniqueand2]

Gosh, I loved Dreft. But aside from the detergent discussion I agree that fading has more to do with the dryer.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I use Tide Free HE... (mostly white and light sky/baby blue on bottle)
Have for a long time now.
Works great!
No problem with fading.

I would continue to use this over detergents like DREFT, or ALL.
Definitely.
When DS was a baby, I did use DREFT.... Changed when Tide Free came out with their improved and more allergy and sensitive formula.
Never looked back.

Years ago, I did use Cheer.
Maybe they have changed their formula.
But, I felt like it actually contributed to fading!
Just the opposit of their advertising. ??????

Are you using a fabric softener? They can really fade clothing.
Really hot water or dryer?
Cheaper clothing/fabric?

 

[aristocatz]

Thank you-most of her clothes are Gymboree-pretty quality brand IMO-& they are hand me downs from her older sister, so I think the pilling & fading had less to do with the fabric & more to do with the machine....or me!

I am using a fabric softener-All Sensitive-geez I never knew that could cause fading! I wash her clothes in cold on gentle cycle & dry on low heat. Our machine is not HE & its top loading (old school lol)

I'm not a fan of Dreft-used when my older DD was a baby & the smell bothered me.

I'm now wondering if it was the fabric softener (first time using that brand) or if I put too many clothes in the machine at once

 

[JanaDee]

Might not be the detergent but the clothing itself. I've really never had an issue with any detergent fading my clothing.

That's what I was going to say. It was probably the clothes, not the detergent.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

It can be the water too.

 

[bcla]

Basically all the Proctor & Gamble detergents of the same type (liquid or powder, maybe HE) have the same "base" including detergents and enzymes. Everything else (fragrance, color, brighteners, fade resistance) is for product differentiation. Gain, Tide, Cheer, Dreft, Ivory Snow are basically the same when it comes to cleaning.

Not sure about the detergent packs though. Those are a completely different thing. Also - most of what you find is still "filler". The actual amount of necessary cleaning ingredients is very little. Back when it was 2-3x the quantity of liquid or powder for the same load, it was either filler, water, and/or thickening agents. There was something reassuring to the consumer about measuring a full 8 oz "cup" and pouring in all that "stuff".