By Kelsey Miki
Updated Jan 16, 2018Best forParents who want an eco-friendly detergent with good stain-fighting power
Top BenefitsTough on stains, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free
ConsiderationsWorks best with pretreatment, thick consistency can make measuring less precise
Bottom lineBio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent is a high-quality, eco-friendly detergent that gets clothes clean and is gentle on baby's tender skin
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The Canadian-made Bio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent was the top stain-fighter of all the eco-friendly detergents we tested. Designed specifically for baby clothes and sensitive skin, this EcoLogo-certified, hypoallergenic and unscented detergent impressed us with its cleaning power and ease of use. Our parent testers felt the same, and several told us it was a good option for families with sensitive skin. The gentle formula is also safe to use on cloth diapers.
To test the cleaning power of Bio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent, we stained white 100 percent cotton jersey swatches with some notoriously tough-to-remove things like grass, mud and spaghetti sauce, and left them to sit overnight. We also applied fresh stains to another set of cotton swatches and then rinsed them in cold water before tossing them in the wash within two hours of staining. Bio-Vert suggests pretreating tough stains by pouring a small amount of detergent directly onto the stain and letting it stand for a few minutes before washing. While one parent tester found this step too time-consuming in light of the laundry demands of her three kids, we found it effective for dealing with some pretty tough messes. With the pretreatment, Bio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent was able to completely remove sweet potato puree, formula and washable black marker. Of all the natural detergents we tested, Bio-Vert performed the best on grass and mud stains, and it noticeably lightened the appearance of both spaghetti sauce and coffee stains. Most of our parent testers had similar experiences, noting that Bio-Vert did a good job removing baby food puree, breastmilk, spit up and urine. One mom told us that with pretreatment, she was able to remove poop stains from her child’s clothing, which is no easy feat.
Most testers said their clothes felt clean after washing, and that their whites stayed white and brights stayed bright. None of our parent testers had any difficulty understanding how much detergent to dispense per load, and all agreed the lid made it easy to measure out the correct amount of liquid. Two of our parent testers mentioned that since the consistency of the detergent is quite thick (one even described it as "gloppy"), it can be difficult to get a precise pour. However, the wide lip of the lid also helps prevent spills, keeping the outside of the bottle nice and tidy. Two of our testers really appreciated that this detergent didn’t irritate their family’s existing eczema, which is great news if either you or your little ones have sensitive skin.
Bio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent's formula is EcoLogo certified (awarded to products with reduced environmental impact) and free of phosphates, dyes and carcinogenic chemicals. We also like that Bio-Vert lists its ingredients on the back of the bottle so you know exactly what will be touching your family's skin after their clothes have come out of the wash (many laundry detergents don't list ingredients). During our lab tests, we found that Bio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent left clothes static free, so there was no need to add fabric softener (and more potential chemicals) to each load, keeping laundry eco-friendly and natural.
Bio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent is a high-quality and easy-to-use detergent that offers good value, and the majority of testers agree. All but one (a mom who prefers scented detergent) was satisfied overall with the detergent, and every tester would recommend this product to parents looking for an unscented, natural detergent. A well-priced, eco-friendly detergent that packs a punch against stains is easy to like, so we didn't hesitate to award Bio-Vert HE Baby Laundry Detergent our Today’s Parent Approved seal.
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