Best cleaning products that won't irritate baby skin?

[SugarGlider]

I have a lovely little collection of baby clothes - and a sheepskin - that need washing, as arrival of DC1 is now impending... Any kind souls have recommendations of good washing powders/liquids, including one for wool? Or is any non-bio okay?

And what about general cleaning products -- we are kitchen/surface spray junkies, love fabric softener and sometimes even bleach in the bathroom (forgive me, for I have sinned). What are the most effective but least irritating cleaning products you have found?

My DH suffers from eczema sometimes and I would like to try to keep things mild and simple in the hope of reducing the chance of the same in my DC...

Many thanks

I have found Fairy non bio to be great for DHs and kids sensitive skin. I used to use Comfort Pure fabric conditioner on kids clothes when they were smaller but don't use any fc now.

I use diluted Dettol in an old Cif spray bottle for w/surfaces, bathrooms. Occasionally need to use something stronger in the shower cubicle but mostly get away with Dettol everywhere.

One tip, put all babies cute little socks in a net bag in w/m saves on costly repairman when they go missing in the wash.

you can drive yourself mad doing this

dicth the fabric softener and apart from tht use whatever you use for your own clothes (except for the lambskin obv)

rinse the bath before you run it

and don;t wipe the baby round the bleachy loo!

Thanks kindly JellyShoes and Mrs Badger... I think maybe my trick will be to use a bit less of everything -- like the idea of diluted dettol...

M&S do a great range of naturally derived cleaning products - or seventh generation or try spirit of nature

don't need fabric conditioner

does anyone know HOW you wash a lambskin - have thrown our instructions out

I use Ecover washing liquid stuff for clothes as DD suffers eczema. If I ever use a 'conventional' brand I find the smell lingers for so long it makes me gag (which is another story really) but it suggests that there is a residue that could irritate.

There are plenty of green, non toxic cleaning products available. Ecover being the most accessible because all the supermarkets stock it.

When I bought my lambskin I got a special wash liquid for it. Try Spirit of Nature, I think you can buy it seperately.

ahhhh that might explain why its gone a bit funny after going in the machine ( a 30 wash but its starting to look a bit ill)

My dc both have eczema. I'd say;

Use dsistilled vinegar instead of fabric conditioner. If there are any traces of detergent left in the fabric at the end of the wash cycle, vinegar strips them off.

these are really good and really skin friendly. They are the best option eczena wise IME.

Method stuff is good for around the house. Microfibre cloths and water are obviously one of the best options.

I second Clockface: Method are brilliant.
Microfibre cloths for cleaning as leave no residue, just use with water. So cheap too. I just use lots of these rather than using kitchen towel.
For actually washing the baby, water is great but if they need a bit extra for hair etc, the halos and horns range is really economical and fab. it's just in tescos.

We use Ecover for clothes. Seems fine but no good for major stains (like banana or anything orange!)
Make our own cleaner for kitchen surfaces and chopping boards using 1 cup water, 1 cup white distilled vingar, 2 teasps washing-up liquid (also Ecover) and 25 drops either tea-tree or lavender essential oil (or you can use eucalyptus or thyme or lemon) We just stick it in a spray bottle.
Actually use white vingar for lots of cleaning and in washing machine too although when I was pg the smell made me gag!
Just used water for washing DD (who has mild eczema) when she was a baby but now she gets grubby or is permanently covered in suncream I found Dreamwash by Lush is quite gentle.

I use Filetti for washing DS's clothes, he has mild eczema.