Fact or fiction: is baby dish soap a necessity?
If your family has recently expanded (congratulations if that’s the case!), you might be asking yourself all sorts of questions about the products you use, especially your dish soap: Specifically, how safe is it for little ones? Is it OK to use a baby bottle cleaner or to wash cups, breast pumps, small spoons, pacifiers and suction bowls on a daily basis? This article gives reasons for using a baby dish soap, as well as providing a list of criteria to help you select one that does not contain ingredients of concern according to the EWG.
Why switch your dishwashing liquid once you have welcomed a new baby?
Just like most household cleaning products, dish soap may contain substances that are deemed to be of concern for human health by the EWG, such as sodium laureth sulfate (a surfactant used to create lather) and methylisothiazolinone (a preservative). That’s why Health Canada recommends thoroughly rinsing dishes after washing them by hand.[1]
However, for the average adult, the risks associated with using products containing these ingredients are very low: Even if a small amount is swallowed – after improperly rinsing a glass for example – no symptoms would likely be felt.
So why should babies need a special soap?
Here’s why: A baby’s body is generally much more fragile than an adult’s! Sodium laureth sulfate and methylisothiazolinone may cause irritation to people who are more sensitive, especially if the contact is frequent and extends over a prolonged period.[2]
It’s therefore preferable to delay a baby's contact with these substances, and fortunately, there’s an easy way to accomplish doing this: You can avoid stressing-out and feeling you have to use 30 litres of water every time you clean a baby bottle by simply replacing your current dish soap with a baby dishwashing liquid.
3 things to keep in mind when choosing a baby dish soap
You’ll likely notice there are dozens of brands available on the market once you begin your search for a baby dish soap. Faced with this daunting plethora of options, how can you go about choosing the right dishwashing liquid for a baby? We suggest the following three criteria:
1. Free of ingredients of concern according to the EWG
The Environmental Working Group – a world-renowned, non-profit organization – conducts extensive research that aims to protect human health and the environment. When a household or beauty product bears the EWG VERIFIED™ seal, it means that product is free of any ingredient deemed to be of concern by the organization's scientists.
2. Dermatologically tested
To prevent your newborn from experiencing skin irritations, be sure to choose a baby dishwashing liquid that has been dermatologically tested.
3. Formulated with powerful ingredients
It is incorrect to assume that a baby dish soap that does not contain substances of concern according to the EWG cannot also be effective! Go with a product that is formulated from plant-based ingredients with proven effectiveness, like sodium coco-sulfate: This powerful anionic surfactant is derived from coconut, has foaming and cleansing properties, and is known for its ability to eliminate bacteria and odours. You’ll be able to use it for the entire family!
Baby dish soaps that tick all the boxes
Drawing inspiration from the power of nature and science, the NATURE+ TECHNOLOGY™ collection is designed to provide household products that meet the highest standards of both quality and health. The collection contains a variety of home essentials formulated with plant and mineral origin ingredients and with unparalleled cleaning properties. Included in the line-up is a baby dishwashing liquid and baby bottle cleaner that is specially designed to effectively eliminate milk residues, grease and odors on baby bottles and other children's accessories.
EWG VERIFIED™ and dermatologically tested, this baby dish soap is formulated with surfactants that are derived from plant sources such as lauryl glucoside (which produces a lovely foam). The vegan formula comes in discreetly scented versions (sweet lullaby and pear nectar), as well as an unscented variant. The reviews are in, and confirm it is the ideal dishwashing liquid for washing baby accessories… with complete peace of mind!
It's not only baby dish soap that creates a healthy environment for your child: ATTITUDE's selection of household products also includes baby air purifiers, baby toy and surface cleaners, baby laundry detergents and baby fabric softeners, each designed with little ones in mind. Here’s an article that explains the importance of washing a baby's clothes, diapers and bedding with products suitable for their delicate skin.
[2] https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706089-SODIUM_LAURETH_SULFATE/, https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/703935-METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE/