Is it your first time washing your baby’s clothes? Are you wondering if you should wash baby clothes separately from the rest of the laundry?
Your baby’s clothes can be exposed to lots of bacteria from food spills, vomit, drools, urine, and of course poop! That is why it is important to wash baby clothes properly.
Should You Wash Baby Clothes Separately?
When you are a mom, especially of a newborn baby, your laundry always seems to be endless. Your baby goes through so many outfit changes in a day, leaving you with a mountain of baby clothes, blankets, beddings, and cloth diapers.
Babies’ immune system is still developing so they are more prone to bacterial infection. That is why it is necessary to wash your baby’s clothes with proper care.
Remember, it is normal for babies to have sensitive skin, so washing clothes before letting them wear them is essential. The clothes come in direct contact with their skin, thus making them more vulnerable to skin allergies.
But does that mean you should wash baby clothes separately from the family laundry? Not necessarily.
In most cases, there is no need to separately wash baby clothes from the rest of the family laundry. However, if your baby has a skin allergy or eczema you can use a laundry detergent specially made for baby clothes.
You can also opt to use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free soap. That is necessary to secure the safety of your baby’s delicate skin.
Whether your baby has an allergy or you are just worried that regular detergent may irritate your child’s skin, a baby detergent is a good investment.
If you have enough budget for a baby detergent, you can use it to wash even the rest of the family’s laundry. So, you will no longer need to wash baby clothes from the other laundry separately.
If you are unsure if the detergent is safe for your baby’s skin or not, you can wash one to two baby items first. After washing, dry it completely, and wear it on your baby.
Check if there is any sign of irritation or allergy. If you observe that they have any allergic reaction, stop using that detergent for your baby's clothes. Instead, use detergents specially made for babies until they are one year old.
What Kind of Detergent to Use for Baby Clothes?
You can use a regular detergent in washing baby clothes but be sure to read the instructions and safety labels first.
Most regular laundry products have enzymes or active ingredients that make removing stains from food and milk easier. However, you should know that not every garment can be washed the same way. Choose a detergent that is specifically made for a certain type of clothing or fabric.
Moreover, if your baby has an allergy or eczema, it is best to use hypoallergenic laundry products. It is also best to use liquid detergent than powder ones because liquids are easier to rinse out.
Avoid using fabric softeners or anti-static products. It has chemicals that can be harsh to your baby’s sensitive skin. Another thing, soap flakes can strip away the flame-retardant properties of baby clothes.
Lastly, do not use regular detergent in washing diaper clothes. It may cause diaper rash on your baby.
Tips on How to Wash Baby Clothes Properly
If you are wondering how to wash your baby’s clothes properly, maybe these tips can help you:
- Choose the right detergent. Use a laundry product that is more suitable for you and your baby. As much as possible, use a mild detergent when washing your baby’s clothes to avoid adverse reactions to their sensitive skin.
- Use the right amount of detergent because too much detergent can leave residue even after rinsing. On the other hand, too little detergent can leave the clothes not properly cleaned.
- Wipe away stains right away. When your baby stained their clothes by spilling milk or food, wipe away the stains quickly. Soak their clothes in water with detergent to prevent the stain from marking the baby clothes permanently.
- Put their socks in a mesh bag if you are washing them using a machine.
- If you are handwashing baby clothes, soak them first in warm water to be disinfected. In addition, double or triple rinse the clothes to avoid residual detergent. After rinsing, soak them again in warm water.
- Check the water temperature because most baby clothes are made with soft and milder components. It is more vulnerable to damage. Ideally, the water temperature should be 30 to 40 degrees Celsius.
- Fasten any Velcro tabs to avoid catching on to other items.
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Be extra cautious about your baby’s skin condition. Use detergents that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and dye-free. Always make sure to double rinse each load of baby clothes.
- Wash every item that will touch your baby’s skin, including their bedding, towels, and plush toys before using it for the first time.
- Make sure to dry the baby clothes completely before storing them in the closet. Slightly wet baby clothes can be infected by odour-causing germs when stored in dark and humid places. Furthermore, it is best to dry the clothes in the sunlight.
- Before washing your baby's clothes in a machine, check the care labels first to know the appropriate water temperature and washing cycle.
- If you are using a regular detergent in washing your baby’s clothes, wash baby cloth diapers separately. Regular detergent can cause diaper rash in your baby.
- Dump the poop into the toilet and rinse the diaper cloth in cold water. Then, soak the cloth diaper in a mild detergent with bleach. Afterwards, wash it using baby detergent in hot water and rinse twice.
- Keep your baby away from the laundry area. Keep your laundry products away from your baby because these are poisonous. Store it in a place that is out of your baby’s reach.
How to Remove Stains From Baby Clothes
In general, it is best to remove stains from baby clothes while they are still fresh. When your baby spills milk or food on their clothes, wipe it away quickly and soak it in water with detergent. However, there are different types of stains, and the processes to remove them can be different with each kind.
Here are some tips you can do to remove different types of stains from baby clothes:
- To remove baby oil stains, you can use prewash stain remover. Check the care instructions first and wash the clothes in hot water. Air dry the clothes to check if the stain really disappeared.
- For urine stains, dilute one tablespoon of ammonia in a cup of water and treat the area. Afterwards, use a stain-removal product and wash the cloth. Do not mix bleach with ammonia, which may create toxic fumes that can harm your family.
- There are three ways to remove stains from fruits and vegetables. First, rinse the stain in cool water. Second, mix 1 part of water and 1 part of alcohol and use it to remove the stain, then launder it. Lastly, use a prewash stain remover to treat the area and wash the cloth. If that doesn’t work perfectly, mix one part of vinegar with one part of water and soak the stained clothes.
- To remove protein-based stains from milk, drools, food, and poop, soak the stained cloth in cool water mixed with stain-removing detergent with enzymes. If the stains remain on the garment, you can use an all-purpose stain remover and wash it normally.
This article was written by Jobelle Macayan and republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
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