It's no secret, babies create a lot of washing, which means several more loads of laundry than you're used to. And you may be wondering how washing baby clothes is different from washing your own clothes.
Below are some hints and tips on washing baby clothes will help remove stubborn stains with harsh chemicals. Keep your baby happy, healthy, and clean with tips below;
Should I Pre-Wash Newborn Clothes?
It is always a good idea wash baby clothes before they're worn. This applies to newborn baby clothing, infant clothing, and even toddler clothing.
Babies have sensitive skin that could be irritated by the different detergents. Clothes can also come in contact with dust, dirt during transport or other chemicals such are colour fastener or fire retardness, so it's best to wash them and get rid of potential allergens.
Depending on the material, washing newborn clothes can also make the outfit more comfortable and less stiff. This is a well-known fact for muslin wraps. The more you wash the softer they become.
How to Wash Baby Clothes
It's a little bit of trial and error when it come to washing baby clothes. As long as you don't suspect your baby has sensitive skin or an allergic reaction to any detergents, there is no need to separate laundry. You can use your normal laundry detergent to wash baby clothes.
If you have poonami to deal with, we'd reconsider washing baby clothes with your washing. It is also a good idea to pre-rinse or soak before popping the poop clothes in the washing machine.
In your local supermarket, there are laundry detergents designed for sensitive baby skin. However, sometimes these are no different to normal detergents and you might need to use specific baby detergents. When looking for laundry detergent for your clothes or your baby's clothes, consider one that is dye-free and scent-free to avoid unwanted chemicals.
Also, avoid using chlorine bleach or fabric softener when you're washing baby clothes as these can be harsh on the fabric and a baby's skin.
What Temperature to Wash Baby Clothes
All baby clothes should have a care label or washing instructions or washing symbols somewhere on the garment. This is a standard labelling requirement by the Australian Government. Usually, it's best to follow those instructions. Good quality clothes are 100% cotton, In the event that there are no instructions, use a cold to warm water temperature wash and low heat tumble dry.
High heat can shrink clothing, especially cotton, which is why a low to medium dryer heat is preferred. For clothing with sequins, lace, or other special fabric you should hand wash or use 'gentle' cycle or slow spin cycle before your hang or lay them flat to air dry to avoid damage.
How to Remove Stains From Baby Clothes
Baby clothing is going to get dirty. From baby milky spews, food and poo, there will be no shortage of stains you have to deal with as a parent. But luckily there are a few tricks to getting out tough stains on baby clothing.
First, buy yourself a soaking bucket.... An easy option (refer to above about pre-rinsing poo-nami's) for sleep-deprived Mum's is to soak stained clothes warm water and a small amount of laundry detergent before washing.
Second, always pretreat the stain. This prevents the stain from setting in and increases your chances of getting it out entirely. Typically, a spray-on treatment works well for even the toughest stains. Be sure to check the ingredients first if you suspect your little one has any allergies or extra-sensitive skin.
A little trick mothers and fathers have been using for years is Sunlight Soap. Simply rub a bit of of this magic soap into the stain or shave a touch off and let it soak in a bucket.
Can I Wash Babies Clothes With Mine?
We get it - you have a million things on your to-do list and sorting laundry or doing 6 loads a day isn't always practical. So, can you wash your clothes with your baby's clothes or separately? The answer is yes - most of the time.....
It all depends on if your newborn has sensitive skin and shows any rashes or reactions to your normal detergent. There is only one way to find out. Pre-wash your newborns clothes as you would wash yours, if a rash develops, immediately stop and use a different detergent. Trial and error...
Again it's best to avoid bleach, fabric softener, and other unnecessary chemicals to start with. Like with your washing, sometimes clothes aren't as colour fast as they should be so it's a good idea to wash light colours together and dark coloured clothes together. Unless it's a special Christening, Baptism or other sentimental outfit, there is no need for dry cleaning.
When to Wash Baby Clothes
It is recommended to be prepared and wash quite a few newborn clothes for those first couple of weeks postpartum. You want to be able to focus on other things, not washing. This might seem obvious to some people, but sometimes 'baby brain' kicks in and you forget.
It is a known fact newborns have sensitive skin and for the first few weeks they shed as they grow their thicker outer layer of skin to adjust to the new dryer environment outside the womb. Regular washing of newborn clothes is recommended and especially anything soiled or stained should be pretreated and washed soon thereafter. If your little one doesn't have sensitive skin, it wouldn't hurt to add a bit of laundry sanitiser to your loads to kill off any unwanted germs or lingering bacteria
Baby clothes can carry germs and shouldn't be worn more than once without washing. This is why it's always good practice to keep an extra baby bodysuits (or two!) with you, as a change of clothes at all times.
How to Hand Wash Baby Clothes
There may be some baby clothing that suggests you hand wash the item. It's up to you whether you want to follow that advice, but hand washing baby clothes can be tedious.
To make it easier, fill a small tub with room temperature water and add a little bit of detergent. Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse it thoroughly. Then, hang it up to dry.
What Are the Major Tips for Cleaning Baby Clothes?
Hopefully, you've learned a lot so far about the basics of cleaning baby clothes. As you become more experienced you'll learn the detergent and stain-removal products and techniques that work for you and your baby.
Another major tip is to have plenty of back up clothing. Babies may go through 3 or 4 or even 5 outfits each day.
If you notice a rash on your baby's skin, consider changing your detergent or check your current detergent ingredients for potential allergens. Talk to your child's doctor if you are concerned about the rash.
And the biggest tip for cleaning baby clothes - don't overthink it! You've got plenty of things to worry about and laundry isn't always the highest priority. As one mother once said... "The one thing thing that will always be there for you is Laundry. Laundry will ALWAYS be there for you!"
Washing Baby Clothes Like a Pro
You have all the information you need to safely and effectively wash your baby's clothes. If you use the tips above you should have no issues washing baby clothes on a regular basis.
You got this!
If you're looking to stock up on good quality baby clothes that are guaranteed to last wash after wash and soak after soak, you should browse our baby bodysuits and baby rompers collection.
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