Before tossing your baby’s clothes into the washing machine, there are some things to take note of when thinking about how to do your baby’s laundry. Just as feeding and caring for newborns is somewhat different from adults, baby laundry also has its unique care. Your child’s skin and immune system are still developing, so you want to keep harmful substances off of them by all means.
However, washing baby clothes shouldn’t be like one of the many headaches involved with child care. From choosing the right detergent to getting rid of tough stains, this baby laundry how-to guide will help you take the confusion in no time.
Your baby’s laundry: Must-know before washing your baby’s clothes
Before doing your baby’s laundry, make sure you read the labels. Some would give you insight into how to wash, either manual or machine, or what to wash with.
But hold on. Do you intend to wash your baby’s clothes only after they’ve worn them? That wouldn’t be a good idea in the slightest. It’s crucial to wash your infant’s clothes before they use them for the first time. This is known as pre-washing your baby’s clothes. The reason is that manufacturers often use a lot of toxic chemicals to keep the garments looking fresh and new before and during shipping.
Also, the clothes may have gotten exposed to bacteria while lying dormant in your home before the baby’s arrival. And your baby’s skin is so delicate its barrier is 30% lighter than yours. So the slightest exposure to harmful materials may cause irritation which you don’t want.
When should you pre-wash your baby’s clothes?
Okay, now you know you must wash your baby’s clothes before they wear them to ensure germs don’t accumulate. But you’ve bought so many outfits even before delivery. So when should you pre-wash your baby’s clothes, especially as you can’t ascertain precisely when they’ll arrive?
The trick is to pre-wash your baby’s clothes each week within the scheduled period of the delivery. That helps ensure your baby will have fresh, toxin-free clothes to wear whenever they choose to show up.
When it comes to laundry, many new parents are unsure of the best way to wash their baby’s clothes. Here is a guide to help you do your baby’s laundry with confidence:
- Sort clothes by color and type: Before you start washing, sort your baby’s clothes into separate piles according to colors, sizes, and types. Your baby’s sleepwear, towels, linens, and cloth diapers all need to be segregated properly before they are washed. This will prevent clothes from bleeding onto each other and will make it easier to wash similar items together.
- Choose the right detergent: Choose a detergent that is specifically designed for baby clothes, as these are formulated to be gentle on delicate skin. Avoid using regular detergents that contain harsh chemicals or perfumes, as these can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Baby detergents and liquid detergents are better than powder ones as they rinse out thoroughly without leaving behind any residual flakes. Try and avoid soap flakes.
- Pre-treat stains: If your baby’s clothes have any baby stains, pre-treat them before washing them. Mix a small amount of detergent with water, and apply it directly to the stain. Gently rub the stain with a soft cloth or toothbrush, and let it sit for a few minutes before washing. Avoid using chlorine bleach with ammonia or vinegar, as the resulting combination can be toxic. For hard to remove stains, use white vinegar.
- Wash on a delicate cycle: When it’s time to wash your baby’s clothes, use the delicate or gentle cycle on your washing machine. This will help to protect the fabric and prevent damage.
- Use the right water temperature: Most baby clothes should be washed in cold water, as this is gentle on the fabric and will help to prevent shrinkage. If your baby’s clothes are particularly dirty or have heavy stains, you can use warm water, but be sure to check the care label first.
- Avoid using fabric softener: Fabric softeners can leave behind residue that may cause irritation when your baby wears his or her clothes again. Instead, add some liquid laundry detergent to your washer along with your regular load.
How to hand wash your baby’s clothes?
Most pediatricians and dermatologists recommend doing your baby’s laundry by hand rather than in a washing machine. More so if your child is less than two months old.
So if you’re worried about how to hand-wash your newborn’s clothes correctly, here’s how:
Step 1: Whether it’s a hat, pair of socks, or button onesie, throw them in the warm water of about 35 degrees celsius and allow to soak for 20-30 minutes. If the material will allow it, soak it in hot water. This will help kill off bacteria that the detergent can’t handle.
Step 2: If there are different garments of different colors, separate them as you would for adult clothing. Also, wash baby socks separately to avoid looking everywhere for them later.
Step 3: Now, get warm water to do the actual washing. It shouldn’t be too hot or cold as temperature could alter the fabric strength, causing tears.
Step 4: Soak in warm water after the wash to get rid of every trace of the detergent.
Step 5: Hang the baby’s clothes on a line with clips. Ensure they receive direct sunlight and that they’re completely dry before taking them in. Damp garments can cause fungal infections in newborns.
How to machine wash baby clothes?
There are some times you just feel too exhausted to do your baby’s laundry by hand. As with hand washing, first, soak the baby’s clothes in warm or hot water as the fabric allows before washing them in the machine. Then, use the rinse option twice to ensure you get the detergent out completely. The first rinse should be with the soap in the machine, while the second should be without.
How to wash off stubborn stains from your baby’s clothes
The first step to treating a stubborn stain on your baby’s clothes is to remove as much of it when still fresh before washing.
Protein-based stains
There are several types of protein-based stains, including feces, formula, breast milk, and spit-up. Soak in cool water with a stain-removing product containing enzymes to remove protein-based stains from baby clothes. If it proves too stubborn, apply an all-purpose stain remover and wash normally.
Oil stains
We all use baby oil. Of course, it’s great for their skin. But not for their clothes. To remove oil stains from baby clothes, wash them in hot water at the highest safe temperature recommended for the fabric. Since oil stains may seem to have gone when the cloth is wet, make sure you air-dry to ensure the stain has indeed gone. Heat drying may set back the stain, so it is ill-advised.
Fruit and vegetable stains
An alcohol and water mixture works well with fruit and vegetable stains. Simply wash normally after dipping the cloth in the mix. Else, use a pre-wash stain remover.
Sometimes fruit stains aren’t so stubborn and get off quickly when rinsed with cool water.
What about stains that just won’t leave?
It can be quite saddening to see that super-stylish stuck in with a stain that just wouldn’t wipe off no matter how hard you try. But not to worry; you can always get another. Rather than exert more effort than is necessary, you can find some good use for it, such as converting it into a cleaning rag.
Summing up
Doing your baby’s laundry is a necessary part of being a parent, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to sort, clean, and care for your baby’s clothes with ease. You can keep your baby’s clothes looking clean and smelling fresh with the right approach and supplies.
FAQs
What detergent should I wash baby clothes with?
Your baby’s skin is mild, so the best detergent to wash their clothes with is a gentle one without fragrance. You may be shocked at this, but although fragrances give your clothes a pleasant scent, the substance is toxic and can cause irritation on your baby’s skin.
You should avoid using your regular washing detergent for your baby and go for specifically baby laundry detergents. If they’re somewhat too pricey for your liking, you have the option to do a homemade detergent. One of the advantages is you’ll know exactly what ingredients are going into the product.
But before choosing this option, check with your pediatrician or dermatologist to ensure you don’t unknowingly add a harmful substance. For starters, you want to avoid tea tree and lavender oils due to their estrogenic effects.
Can I wash my baby’s clothes alongside mine?
Adult clothes can be a playground for germs, but our skin and immune system are often up to the task. Unfortunately, not your newborn. To avoid transferring germs to baby clothes, wash them before adult clothing.
There are some other reasons to avoid washing your clothes together with your baby’s:
- You, your baby, or someone else in the household currently have a skin reaction.
- Someone in the household works with toxic materials.
- You’d rather have your clothes smelling wonderfully with a fragrant-rich detergent.
- Your baby needs special detergents that are more expensive than regular baby laundry products. It wouldn’t be economical to use such soap for everyone’s clothes.
Should I use dryer sheets with baby clothes?
If you’re already familiar with dryer sheets, then, of course, your answer would be in the affirmative. After all, dryer sheets add a final touch of softness while ensuring that your clothes are fresh and smell nice.
However, the good-smelling attribute of dryer sheets only exists thanks to the presence of fragrance, which is quite harmful to a baby’s delicate skin. They may cause rashes and other forms of skin irritation.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use dryer sheets after washing your baby’s clothes. Only use dryer sheets that are fragrance-free. Or else, you can go for more natural alternatives like dryer balls, baking soda, and vinegar.
