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    Home & CleaningLaundry DetergentDreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads)
    #9 of 10
    Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads)

    Key Specs

    1,4-Dioxane Status

    Fragrance Type

    Surfactant Source

    Preservatives

    Dreft

    Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads)

    #9 of 10 laundry detergents tested

    No sponsored placements·By Renée Torres
    3.2R3 Score / 10
    We can't recommend this one.
    No sponsored placements· By Renée Torres
    Safety

    The bottom line

    What the product listing won't tell you

    Know before you buy

    This product contains SLES (a dioxane contamination pathway), synthetic fragrance, and optical brighteners — yet is marketed as the standard choice for newborn laundry. Independent ingredient experts consistently flag this mismatch. Better alternatives at similar or lower prices exist in this category.

    Buy it if
    Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads)

    Dreft

    Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads)

    $20
    See if it passed our safety test for freeBuy
    Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads)

    Dreft

    Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads)

    $20Buy on Amazon
    Efficacy
    Usability
    Unlock safety scores for free

    $20.00

    Buy on Amazon

    We may earn a commission. It doesn't affect our scores.

    You need universal availability right now — Dreft is in every grocery store and pharmacy when alternatives aren't accessible.

  1. You're washing older children's laundry (not newborn) and the specific newborn-safety concerns are less relevant to your situation.

  2. You're using up an existing supply before switching — washing items thoroughly with an extra rinse cycle reduces surface residue.

    3. Skip if

    • You're washing laundry for a newborn or infant — the ingredient profile contradicts the 'gentle for baby' marketing.

    • Synthetic fragrance is a concern — Dreft contains undisclosed fragrance chemicals.

    • Optical brighteners are a concern — they coat fabric and remain in contact with baby's skin.

    • You've read this review.

    What's inside

    Specs the product listing doesn't explain

    Usability

    Ease of use, maintenance, and longevity

    1,4-Dioxane StatusFragrance TypeSurfactant SourcePreservativesFormatEnzymes DisclosedHE CompatibleList PriceLoads per PackagePrice per Load

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    How we scored it

    3 criteria - open any layer to see exactly what we found

    Safety

    Efficacy

    Usability

    SafetyCritical

    “Is this actually safe for my newborn, or is 'gentle' just marketing?”

    ▾

    The scoring rationale is locked

    Free account unlocks exactly why this product scored the way it did.

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    Criteria

    Where to buy

    Verified retailer - current pricing

    Starting price

    $20

    R3 approved retailer Score unaffected by purchase
    Buy on Amazon

    We earn a small commission on purchases. It never influences our scores - R3 is funded by readers, not brands.

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    #9 of 10 laundry detergents reviewed

    Did the Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (147 loads) pass our safety screen?

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    1,4-Dioxane Status
    Fragrance Disclosure Type
    Full Ingredient Disclosure
    No Optical Brighteners
    Surfactant Source
    Preservative Safety Class
    Third-Party Safety Certification
    Product Format
    EfficacyImportant

    “Can a gentle formula still handle spit-up and blowouts effectively?”

    ▾

    The scoring rationale is locked

    Free account unlocks exactly why this product scored the way it did.

    See the full scoring for free

    Criteria

    Enzymes Present and Disclosed
    UsabilityNice to have

    “Does this work in both regular and HE washing machines?”

    ▾

    The scoring rationale is locked

    Free account unlocks exactly why this product scored the way it did.

    See the full scoring for free

    Criteria

    HE Machine Compatible