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Dreft Stage 1: Newborn… Review (2026) - Safety Rating & Analysis | R3

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

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

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

$20

See if it passed our safety test for free Buy

Dreft

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

$20Buy on Amazon

Unlock safety scores for free

$20.00

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.

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

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

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 Status Fragrance Type Surfactant Source Preservatives Format Enzymes Disclosed HE Compatible List Price Loads per Package Price 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

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Criteria

Where to buy

Verified retailer - current pricing

Starting price

$20

R3 approved retailer Score unaffected by purchase

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

EfficacyImportant

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

▾

The scoring rationale is locked

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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.

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Criteria

HE Machine Compatible

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