Being a parent can be stressful a lot, but learning how to wash baby clothes shouldn’t be one of them. In fact, baby laundry requires the same care as regular clothes and sheets. Of course, one of the main differences is the size of the garment. You must be careful not to lose your little socks or damage delicate baby clothes during washing. Baby clothes are also more likely to accumulate stains than adult clothes, so it’s a good idea to brush up on stain removal techniques before washing baby clothes. With a few must-know methods and a little practice, washing baby products will soon become second nature.
So, if you’re stuck in a baby laundry and worried about how to do your baby’s laundry, don’t worry. These tips on choosing the best baby laundry detergent, dealing with common baby laundry stains, and developing a laundry routine will help you take the stress out of washing baby clothes when you’re just a parent. Read on and you’ll soon be dealing with mountains of clothes, baby bath towels, towels, sheets, and even cloth diapers. With less time doing baby laundry, there’s more time to cuddle your child (or sleep!).
Tips That Must Be Known Before Washing Baby Clothes
Before you stuff your little pleasure into those cute new clothes, wash them all, pajamas, and clothes. All of your baby’s clothes should be washed before use. Infants, especially newborns, often have sensitive skin, and washing can remove residue and other irritants.
When washing for the first time, be sure to read the care label of your garment. Children’s pajamas must be flame retardant, and bleach should never be used on flame retardant fabrics. It reduces the effectiveness of chemical treatments and can damage treated fabrics. Be sure to follow the care label instructions carefully.
How to Wash Baby Clothes
Once you’ve mastered feeding, sleeping, and basic baby care routines, learning to wash baby clothes will follow. All the basics of regular laundry care, such as separating colors, using the correct stain treatment, and reading instructions on garment labels, apply to washing baby clothes. But a few tricks can make the process much easier. First, during the washing and drying process, socks and other small items are placed in a mesh laundry bag. If adult socks are often lost, those small baby socks are more likely to be lost, and mesh pockets help hold them. Tighten all hook-and-loop fabric fasteners to prevent the garment from getting caught and potentially damaged. When folding and putting away clothes, check to make sure there are no loose buttons, snaps, or decorations during washing. Make sure there aren’t any frayed seams or edges that can irritate the baby’s skin or get their little fingers and toes stuck.
Best Laundry Detergent for Baby Clothes
Some parents may feel the need to look for the best baby laundry detergent specifically for their baby’s clothes. However, health experts say that as long as your baby doesn’t have allergies or has very sensitive skin, there’s no need to do it. If you have questions, talk to your pediatrician. Washing your baby’s clothes with regular detergent along with the rest of the household should not be a problem. Please note that liquid detergents may be better than powder formulations. Liquid detergents are often rinsed more thoroughly than powder detergents, which may leave flakes that can irritate the baby’s skin.
If you’re concerned that regular detergent might be too irritating, wash a baby item or two with detergent first. After your baby is dressed, check to see if his or her skin is irritated or if your baby is acting uncomfortable or itchy. If that’s the case, the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin will be free of dyes or fragrances. If that doesn’t work, rinsing clothes twice or using baby laundry soap before your baby is at least 1 year old may help.
In addition to the baby laundry detergent selection, you may find a plethora of baby fabric softeners, baby clothes stain removers, and more. Before buying, read the label to assess your baby’s skin sensitivity and determine if baby-specific laundry products are right for you.
How to Deal with Baby Clothes Stains?
In general, treat stains when they are fresh, making sure to remove as much of the stain material as possible before washing.
How to remove protein stains
This type includes stains on formula, breast milk, spit-up, most food stains, and feces. Use a stain-containing decontamination product containing enzymes to soak the stain in cold water. If that doesn’t work, try using a universal stain remover and wash normally.
How to remove urine stains
Removing urine stains takes two steps. Dilute 1 tablespoon of ammonia into 1 cup of water and use it to treat the area. Remember to apply the mixture to a small area first to ensure that the garment does not fade. Use decontamination product and wash normally. Remember never to mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia. The combination produces dangerous fumes that can be dangerous for you and your family.
How to remove baby oil stains
Use a pre-wash stain remover. After checking the care instructions, wash with the hottest water that is safe for the garment. Allow the garment to air dry to ensure that the stain has been removed. (Oil stains seem to disappear when clothes are wet, and heat drying can set the stains.)
How to remove stains from fruits and vegetables
Three methods can effectively remove these stains. Try simply rinsing the stain with cold water. Alternatively, place the garment in a 1-to-1 solution of rubbing alcohol and water and wash it normally. The third option is to use a pre-wash stain remover followed by a wash to remove more stubborn stains. If this does not remove the stain, soak the garment in a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water.
Tip: What to do with dirty baby clothes that can’t be saved? Of course, it’s frustrating to have a stain that you can’t handle, especially when there’s a stain on that lovely dress you’re waiting to show off, and it doesn’t even go out the door. Some items such as baby towels, burp cloths, and cotton shirts are great rags for cleaning.
How to Wash Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers should be stored and washed separately from other clothing. Immediately rinse dirty diapers in the toilet. You may want to purchase a diaper sprayer that hangs on the toilet bowl and is used to spray diapers. Store diapers in a diaper bucket with a tight-fitting lid (plastic trash can or large bucket is fine) until it needs to be washed. You can also use disposable or washable liners in your diaper bucket.
Wash diapers every two to three days. First, pre-wash coldly or soak the diaper overnight. Do not use detergents that contain dyes or perfumes. Wash with hot water and rinse twice per load. Do not use fabric softener, it can irritate the baby’s skin. Leave the diaper to dry or put in the dryer.