Babies are fragile tiny beings whose immune systems are still developing and are hence, more susceptible to infections and diseases. As parents, we always try our best to keep our babies away from germs and bacteria that can lead to sicknesses, but did you know that your babies clothes can be a hotspot for bacteria growth?
Babies clothes are constantly exposed to food spills, vomit, snot, saliva, urine and even poop. Yikes! This is whynew born baby clothesrequire proper washing. When it comes to cleaning baby clothes, hand washing is the most preferable.
In this article, we are going to talk about the ways to wash baby clothes by hand for both new and experienced parents.
Hand-washing your baby’s clothes are highly recommended for fabric care since they are smaller and softer, compared to adult clothes that can withstand harsher methods of washing.
NEW CLOTHES, MORE PROTECTION
For newly-bought baby clothes, you must wash them before putting them on for your child. These clothes may be new to your closet but it has been in store shelves for longer than you think! This also means that they are exposed to pests and other bacteria which can cause allergies or skin irritations.
HANDWASHING TIPS FOR BABY CLOTHES
Most baby clothes come with washing labels that will point you in the right direction when it comes to washing, but if the labels are absent, here are some general tips:
- Check the water temperature to ensure that it’s not too hot. Baby clothes are mostly made with soft fibre and milder components, which makes them more vulnerable to damage and shrinkage. The ideal temperature to wash their clothes in would be between 30 – 40 degrees celcius, and up to 55 degrees to kill dustmites and germs if the washing instructions allows.
- As much as possible, use a non-chemical or mild detergent for your baby’s clothes. A baby’s skin is much more sensitive than an adult’s skin and could react adversely to regular detergents which often contain reagents that can trigger skin abnormalities like rashes. Do also take note to use the right amount of detergent. If too much is used, there could be residual detergent even after rinsing, and if too little is used, you run the risk of the clothes not being properly cleaned.
- Soak your baby’s clothes in warm water before and after the handwashing. This helps with disinfecting the clothes. You might also want to consider double (or even triple!) rinsing their clothes to get rid of any residual detergent.
- When drying yourbaby boy and girl’s clothes, make sure that they are all completely dry before you store them inside the closet. This is to prevent odour-causing germs and mold from forming since they thrive in dark and humid places. If it’s possible, it would be best to let the clothes dry under direct sunlight.
Properly washing your baby’s clothes is more important than most parents might think. If you have a child, you would know that nothing keeps you up all night (literally!) like a child who is sick!
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FAQs
In general, you can hand-wash baby clothes in a tub of warm water with a gentle detergent after you pretreat stains. Agitate the water and let the clothing soak for 30 minutes. Rinse until the water runs clear, wring and hang dry.
How to wash new clothes for a newborn baby? ›
Soak them in a bucket of the disinfectant solution made through water and vinegar. Add 2-3 spoons of edible vinegar to a bucket of water to make a disinfectant solution. After soaking, wash your baby's clothes the usual way. Washing baby clothes with detergent and water will remove the vinegar and any residual smell.
Is it safe to wash baby clothes in the washing machine? ›
Ground Rules for Cleaning Baby Clothes
You'll find very few parents who don't shudder at the idea of hand-washing, say, cloth diapers. You don't need to hand wash baby clothes. Happily, yes, it's perfectly safe to throw your baby's clothing, linens, cloth diapers, and blankets into the wash cycle.
What should I use to wash baby clothes? ›
So you'll be pleased to know you don't need specialist products to wash your newborn's clothes. Simply choose a non bio detergent and softener that is gentle on sensitive skin like Fairy's Sensitive Skin Dream Team: Fairy Non Bio PODS®, Fairy In-Wash Scent Booster and Fairy Fabric Softener.
How do you sanitize baby clothes in the washing machine? ›
Make sure to clean your washing machine before washing your baby's clothes. Run an empty wash cycle on the highest temperature with a cup of white vinegar to kill all bacteria that might be living inside of it. Do this every couple of weeks to keep your washing machine fresh and hygienic.
How to properly hand wash baby clothes? ›
In general, you can hand-wash baby clothes in a tub of warm water with a gentle detergent after you pretreat stains. Agitate the water and let the clothing soak for 30 minutes. Rinse until the water runs clear, wring and hang dry.
Is it OK to wash newborn clothes in regular detergent? ›
In general, you can wash newborn clothes the same way you'd wash an older baby's clothes – in cool water on a gentle cycle setting with regular detergent. If you're worried about your newborn's sensitive skin, you can opt for a baby detergent or any dye- and fragrance-free detergent to start out.
What not to use when washing baby clothes? ›
Try to not use unnecessary products – Super-scented detergents and fabric softeners could cause an allergic reaction or make your baby's skin prone to rashes. It's best to stay away from softeners since they could bind to your baby's clothes and cause irritation to their skin.
Is 32 weeks too early to wash baby clothes? ›
As for when during pregnancy you should pre-wash baby's clothes, Allison Cirillo, senior director of product integrity and technical design at Hanna Andersson, suggests doing so a couple of weeks to a month before delivery.
What's the best soap to wash baby clothes? ›
Start with a baby formula detergent, such as ARM & HAMMER™ Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent. You can also try a free and clear formula like ARM & HAMMER™ Sensitive Skin laundry detergents, since dyes and fragrances are often the culprit for skin irritation.
DRYING BABY CLOTHES
Delicate baby clothes or especially well-loved hand-me-downs may be better off with hang-drying or line-drying versus a machine dryer. For all other items, if the care label gives it the OK, you can use your machine dryer, but may want to use a gentle setting.
Is it okay to wash baby clothes in the washing machine? ›
Load and start the laundry
Once the laundry and gentle detergent have been added, start the machine. Jones suggests using a gentle or delicate cycle. “This setting prevents wear and tear on baby clothes and ensures a thorough but gentle cleaning,” she says.
Do I wash baby clothes in hot or cold water? ›
When in doubt on what setting to use, wash baby clothes in cold water using the gentle cycle. This will still clean the clothes while at the same time preventing shrinking or color bleeding.
Should you tumble dry baby clothes? ›
Washing Tips from Dreft®
Generally, a wash with cold water on the gentle or delicate cycle, a baby-friendly detergent, and tumble-drying with low heat will be a good washing routine for most baby clothes. (Cloth diapers are always the exception; they require a special washing routine.)
When should I wash my newborn clothes for the first time? ›
Regardless if your baby will be the first one to wear an outfit or if it's a hand-me-down, you want to wash baby clothes before the first use. The truth is you have no idea what might have come into contact with the clothes before they reach you.
Can I put new clothes on baby without washing? ›
According to an article from Dreft baby detergent: “9 out of 10 dermatologists say it's important to wash your baby's new clothes before they wear them.”
How do you wash second hand newborn clothes? ›
If it's second-hand I take a bit more care washing. If the fabric can take it, 60 degree wash with normal detergent and in-wash booster. At the very minimum 40 degrees,' one wrote. 'I do this in the washing machine so it can be spun out.
Should you wash newborn clothes separately? ›
It is a common recommendation that baby clothes should be washed separately, using special “baby” detergents that supposedly leave fewer residues and are therefore less likely to cause skin irritation.
