If you’re on the reusable or washable belly band and doggy diaper team, you’ve probably realized it can get a little confusing when you have to wash all those soiled diapers and wraps. When you have your first load ready for washing, you may wonder if you can just throw them into the machine, whether you can use your regular detergent, and if that will get all the number ones and number twos out.
Luckily, it’s not rocket science, and we’ve got you covered with the best eco-friendly laundry detergents for washing reusable belly bands and doggy diapers. So time to roll down your sleeves, because this is a walk in the park (and not nearly as nasty as you may anticipate).
What to Look for When Choosing an Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent for Your Doggy Sanitary Wear
Your dogs are pretty much on the same level of skin sensitivity as a newborn baby. You definitely won’t wash your baby’s towel diapers with regular chemical laundry detergent that’s high with whitening properties, right? At least, not if you want a baby with a nappy rash.
To ensure your dog has the best possible experience with their diaper or belly band, washing the soiled ones in a non-allergy-causing detergent will go a long way to keeping your doggy fresh as a daisy.
Here are a few considerations before you soap those diapers and wraps:
- Choose a detergent with all natural ingredients
- Avoid detergents with brightening agents or softeners
- If you can smell an aroma, it means there’s a residue, so choose unfragranced detergents
- Choose a detergent with natural enzymes to help remove stains and smells
How to Wash Doggy Diapers and Belly Wraps
The way you wash your doggy wear will ensure it lasts long and gets as clean as possible. Just like baby diapers, doggy products can also develop a nasty smell if incorrectly washed.
Follow these steps to ensure clean results:
- When removing the used diaper or wrap, turn and secure the fasteners inward so the wraps and diapers don’t stick together.
- Soak the wrap or diaper in a solution of detergent and white vinegar if it is very soiled to remove stains and odors.
- Wash in warm water to remove any lasting odors and stains.
- Add half a cup of white vinegar to the wash to help release the last pigments and particles of the stains.
- Rinse well.
- Dry in the shade, preferably flat to retain shape.
- If needed, use a dryer on the lowest heat setting to dry the diapers or wraps for no more than 30 minutes at a time.
5 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents for Belly Bands and Doggy Diapers
Best All-Natural Detergent
Molly’s Suds Baby Laundry Detergent Powder is a firm favorite for pet owners and parents. The unique earth-friendly formula and naturally sourced ingredients of Molly’s detergent makes it ideal for washing doggy diapers and wraps.
Pros
- Skin-friendly formula reduces risk of rashes forming
- A tablespoon of detergent is sufficient to launder a whole load
- Removes deposits of particles that remained on fabric from diapers, leaving a lasting clean
- Available in many fragrances, but the unfragranced and dye-free variety is best to use for your doggy wash
Cons
- Less foam due to all natural ingredients having a lower foam capacity
- May not clean unsoaked diapers and wraps that are heavily soiled
Best Cruelty-Free Detergent
If you’re serious about not doing any harm, you may want to choose a detergent that is known to not participate in animal testing of their products. The Rockin’ Green 45oz Cloth Diaper Detergent for Baby Clothes is hypoallergenic, fully tested to be safe for baby skin, so it can certainly take care of your pooch’s skin.
Pros
- Free of harmful sulfates
- All ingredients are natural and plant-derived
- Safe for removing stains
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Soaking can take longer than other detergents
- More time-consuming
Best Liquid Eco-Friendly Detergent
Looking for a liquid detergent to clean your doggy diapers and wraps with? Then look no further than Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent Liquid Free & Clear. With 96% plant-based ingredients, you know you are getting natural goodness that will leave your doggy happy and fresh with their diapers and belly bands.
Pros
- Non-chemical formula
- Triple-enzyme formula to remove stains and biological elements
- Contains no synthetic fragrances, softeners, or brightening agents that could form deposits on the diapers and wraps
- Hypoallergenic for sensitive skin
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Soaking needed for severe stains
- No scent to freshen the diapers and wraps
- May harden some fabrics
Best Organic Liquid Detergent
When it comes to laundry detergents, it’s rare to find a completely organic detergent. However, there are a few that feature great blended formulas with all of the plant-based goodness and a few wisely chosen ingredients, while avoiding the real baddies like dyes, sulfates, and phthalates.
Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent, Fragrance Free offers exactly this with a plant-based formula that is free of the usual trouble-stirrers like chlorine, optical whiteners, phthalates, sulfates, fragrances, and more.
Pros
- Stain removal power of natural enzymes
- Dermatologically tested as safe for human babies, so safe for fur-kids too
- Cruelty-free formula
- Fair priced
Cons
- Not organic, so don’t be fooled by the name
- Soiled diapers and wraps will require soaking and extra detergent when washing
Best Laundry Detergent Sheets
If you really care about keeping your dog healthy and rash-free when using their clean diapers and wraps, and you want to care for the environment too, then going for an eco-friendly option like Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets is ideal.
These great laundry sheets are packaged in fully biodegradable packaging, and the sheets dissolve in the wash, reducing the need for a detergent bottle. Additionally, the sheets are eco-friendly, vegan, and free from parabens, phosphates, and bleach.
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin, so no diaper rash for your doggy
- Ideal for travel as you can slip a few sheets in your doggy diaper bag
- Cost-effective and easy to use a precise amount, half sheets for small loads
- Scent-free, making your dog less likely to pull their diapers or wraps off because of the scent
- Convenient and takes up less space
Cons
- For deep soiled diapers and belly bands where the strips won’t work as well, pre-soaking may be required
- Packaging doesn’t contain the full list of ingredients, making a fully informed decision difficult
Final Thoughts
Your dog’s health is your primary concern. Choosing the wrong detergent will cost you money and end up giving your dog a rash or even a urinary infection. Diapers and belly bands that have a deposit from poor washing are harmful to your dog.
Choose the best eco-friendly laundry detergents for your dog with a great reusable belly band and diaper. Also, make the right decision by using an eco-friendly detergent that’s hypoallergenic and free from harmful chemicals, while still cleaning like a champ.