How to Wash Hand-Knitted Baby Clothes?

As the months pass, more and more knitters are turning to their needles to create beautiful hand-knitted baby clothes. Whether you shop for them or make them yourself, these garments require special care when it comes to washing. With the right method, you can keep your little one’s handmade wardrobe looking its best. In this article, we’ll discuss how to wash hand-knitted baby clothes so that they stay soft and cozy for years to come.

Knitted clothes are delicate, beautiful creations and have a reputation for being hard to maintain, and as such, they require special care when washing.  A little too much vigorousness and the threads and wool might come off, and all your hard work comes to naught. You clearly don’t want that. While knitting may be hard, washing them doesn’t have to be.

To make the process less scary and more reassuring for you, here’s how to wash hand-knitted baby clothes.

Step by step guide on washing knitted baby clothes

1. Check the label

If you knit yourself, ensure you look at the yarn label before beginning the creation process. You’ll often find care instructions on how to wash, among others. This is the first guidance you need.

If, however, you bought your knitted baby clothes at the store, you’d also likely find instructions on the label. Be sure to check. You’d see something about whether it can be machine-washed or not, recommended water temperature, etc.

2. Select the right detergent

Note that hand-knitted clothes clean very easily and may not require detergent. However, you may decide to use detergent if there are a few stains here and there.

You should only use a gentle detergent that is fragrance-free when washing knitted baby clothes. Nothing too harsh since a bit of lather will get the dirt off, and fragrances are harmful to a baby’s skin. Fragrances are derived from toxic chemicals that can cause rashes and other skin irritations on newborns.

An excellent choice of detergent to wash hand knitted baby cloths will be anyone containing lanolin, such as Eucalan. Lanolin is a natural oil that boosts wool’s water-resistance and protects the fibers.

3. Immerse the hand-knitted baby clothes in cool water

Now, you don’t need to soak hand-knitted clothes or use hot water due to their delicateness. You should only soak knitted baby garments when stained.

Pour water (room temperature) into a sink, bathtub, or bucket that can take all the clothes you want to wash. Then immerse the clothes and add detergent.

Note: Do not mix hand-knitted clothes of different colors as the soapy water can easily leach out their color. Only wash similar colors at a time with the same water.

4. Gently agitate

Agitate the knitted baby clothes gently in the water. Do not go too vigorously; you don’t have to wring or scrub. Remember, the material is delicate and cleans easily.

5. Rinse

After agitating for a while and you’re confident it’s clean enough, rinse out the sud from the knitted garments. Rinse in cool water as many times as it takes to eliminate the sud (when the water becomes clear).

6. Remove excess water

Don’t be in haste to get the water out. If you squeeze a hand-knitted garment after washing, it might lose shape. Find a dry, absorbent towel and roll up the knitted cloth in the towel. Press as you roll to get the water out from the garment into the towel. Don’t squeeze it.

7. Dry the clothes

Do not tumble-dry hand-knitted baby clothes unless the label allows it. Air dry on a flat surface if possible. You can use a large card table, but be sure to place a cloth as a barrier between the hand-knitted fabric and the wooden table.

This is to maintain the shape of the hand-knitted garment. Hence, it would help if you dried it in the shape it would take when worn. Fasten buttons and spread out if possible. Don’t stretch.

8. Allow to air dry

If the exposed part is dry after some time, but the table-facing side isn’t, turn the garment upside down so that the wet part gets some sunshine.

Can I machine wash hand-knitted baby clothes?

Yes, you can machine wash knitted baby clothes. The process is similar to a hand-wash.

• Add a gentle detergent or none to the water in the washing machine.
• Put only clothes of similar colors together.
• Tune the washing machine to around 30-40 degrees Celsius (about room temperature) on a delicate cycle. Again, no hard washing is needed for hand-knitted baby clothes.
• Use the dual rinse option to ensure the suds are entirely out.
• Take out the baby clothes and roll them up in an absorbent towel.
• Continue the steps as with hand-washing.

Some precautions when washing knitted baby clothes

• Do not wash hand-knitted baby clothes together with other fabrics, especially adult clothes. For starters, adult clothes can be a hotspot for bacteria, and they may get on your baby’s knitted fabric. If that happens, your newborn’s skin most likely would not be able to withstand the germs as you would, knowing how fragile they still are. Also, adult clothes may require rigorous wriggling and squeezing when washing.
• Avoid using dryer sheets if you can. Dryer sheets are a staple in many homes, but most of them contain fragrance and some other toxic substances in amounts high enough to affect your baby’s skin. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use dryer sheets at all after washing your baby’s knitted clothes. You can use one that’s fragrance-free if you desire that final touch of softness that dryer sheets offer.
• Do not agitate hand-knitted baby clothes vigorously when washing as it can cause stretching or felting of the yarn.
• For knitted clothes, avoid using the regular detergent you’ll typically use when washing adult garments.
• Do not hang heavy knitted fabrics, as their weight will likely pull them out of shape.
• Avoid washing hand-knitted garments in hot water as it can destroy the delicate fibers.
• Use a gauge swatch (if you’ve got it) to determine how the fabric will react to a wash before actually washing it.

Pro tip: You must wash any cloth items before your baby uses it for the first time. This is known as pre-washing baby clothes, and it is super important to ensure your newborn wears only fresh germ-free clothes.

Keeping knitted baby clothes after a wash

Fold hand-knitted baby clothes and keep them flat on a shelf or box. If they’re on a shelf, they should be somewhere away from dust or any harmful substance. Do not hang heavy hand-knitted fabrics, such as sweaters. Socks are an Okay.

How to remove stains from hand-knitted baby clothes

To treat stains on knitted clothes, apply a gentle detergent directly to the colored area. Add little water and work the detergent into the fabric with your fingers for a few minutes. Do not apply too much pressure. Leave for about 15 minutes, and then proceed to wash.

If you do not intend to wash the garment but would rather spot-treat the stain, after leaving the detergent in for 15 minutes, use a soaked white cloth to cleanse off the sud.

If the stain doesn’t entirely wipe off on the first attempt, repeat the process.

For stubborn stains such as breast milk, spit-up, and baby oil, soak the hand-knitted cloth in warm water and detergent for 20-30 minutes. Then wash gently.

Avoid heat drying as it may set back the stain, especially oil stains.

FAQs

What is the best way to wash knitted baby wool clothes?

The best way to wash knitted baby wool clothes is to use a gentle detergent in cold water. Do not agitate the fabric too much, as this can cause stretching or felting of the yarn. Use a gauge swatch (if you have one) to determine how the fabric will react to a wash before actually washing it. Avoid using dryer sheets and hot water, as these can damage the delicate fibers.

How do I remove stains from hand-knitted baby clothes?

To treat stains on knitted clothes, apply a gentle detergent directly to the colored area. Add little water and work the detergent into the fabric with your fingers for a few minutes. Do not apply too much pressure. Leave for about 15 minutes, and then proceed to wash

How do I store hand-knitted baby clothes?

Fold hand-knitted baby clothes and keep them flat on a shelf or box. If they’re on a shelf, they should be somewhere away from dust or any harmful substance. Do not hang heavy hand-knitted fabrics, such as sweaters. 

What type of clothing is a baby romper?

A baby romper is a one-piece garment that covers the torso and legs of an infant or toddler. It typically has snaps or buttons at the crotch for easy diaper changes.

What is a knitted baby cardigan?

Baby cardigans are knitted sweaters with buttons down the front, usually made from wool or cotton. They are designed to keep babies warm and cozy in cooler weather.

Where can I find beautiful cardigans for my baby?

You can find beautiful cardigans for your baby at many online stores, as well as in department stores and specialty boutiques.

What is a good gift to bring to a baby shower?

Some of the good baby shower gifts would be something practical such as diapers, wipes, clothes, baby shoes, toys, baby blankets, or books. You could also bring something special like a knitted blanket or cardigan.

What is the best way to wrap a baby gift?

The best way to wrap a baby gift is with colorful paper and ribbon that matches the occasion. If you’re giving something.