Most parents love shopping for their babies. However, many parents don’t give a second thought to how they wash their baby’s clothing. If you have a newborn or preparing for your new arrival, we’re going to share a few tips to wash your baby’s clothes more efficiently.
Tips for Washing Baby’s Clothes
Being a new mom is an exciting experience. Whether you’re currently pregnant or just had a baby, you likely have a ton of clothes you can’t wait to put on your bundle of joy.
As adorable as baby clothes are, knowing how to wash them takes a little more thought process. In fact, how you wash your clothes will not only determine how well you preserve them but can better protect your baby’s skin. To help make the best decision for your baby, we’re going to provide 4 tips to wash your baby clothes more efficiently.
Choosing a Detergent
The first step before washing your baby’s clothes is choosing the right detergent. There are many different detergent options to choose from, including making your own.
No matter which option you choose, it’s important to do your research to ensure you’re choosing the best detergent for your baby.
With that said, when choosing a detergent, it’s best to choose one that is fragrance-free. This because some babies can be sensitive to scented detergents. Using a fragrance-free detergent will help your baby avoid a potential allergic reaction and keep them feeling comfortable throughout the day.
If you feel up to it, you can also create your own detergent. In fact, many parents choose this option as it is a cost-effective solution that gives parents a little more control over the products used on their babies.
What’s even better is that there are plenty of detergent recipes that you can find online that contain only a few ingredients. It’s important to note that if you are unsure about any ingredients, it’s best to talk with your child’s pediatrician to ensure that those ingredients are safe.
Deciding Between Combined Loads and Baby-Only Loads
Another important decision that you will need to make is whether you should wash your baby’s clothes separately from everyone else in the home.
Many parents opt to wash their baby’s clothes separately to avoid irritating their baby’s skin. While doing baby-only loads has its benefits, it might not be the best option overall.
Ultimately, isolating baby clothes can be time-consuming and unrealistic in the long run. Instead, parents should opt to switch the entire household to a detergent that’s safe for their baby.
Doing this will bring far greater results as your child is bound to come in contact with your clothes at some point. However, if all clothes are washed with a baby-approved detergent, you won’t have to worry about causing any skin irritants for your child.
Keep in mind that there are some instances when doing baby-only loads is most appropriate. For instance, separating your loads is a good idea if your child has a skin condition such as eczema that requires more expensive detergent. Another situation where isolating your loads makes the most sense is if someone in your home works with dangerous chemicals that can harm your baby.
Be Sure to Wash Your Baby’s New Clothes
Don’t underestimate the importance of washing your baby’s new clothes before dressing them. While new clothing items are technically clean, you have no way of knowing what had come into contact with the items before you bought them.
If the clothing is carrying any irritants, this can potentially lead to a rash for your child.
With that said, it’s important to get into the habit of running all new baby clothing through a wash for an added layer of security.
Preparing for the Washing Machine
Throwing clothes in a washer is a relatively quick process, but it’s important that you check out the labels of your baby’s clothes before doing so.
It’s not uncommon for baby clothing to have special washing instructions to adhere to. Avoiding to look at these labels will lead to an improper wash that ultimately ruins the quality of the clothing.
In addition to this, avoid overloading the washer. Instead, separate clothing and blankets into smaller loads to avoid putting extra weight on delicate items.
Another thing to pay attention to is your wash cycle. It’s best to wash your baby’s clothing and other garments on a gentle cycle. If your child has sensitive skin or a skin disorder, consider washing loads twice to remove irritants.
Having a baby is a beautiful experience. With that said, your bundle of joy relies on you to care for them and make them feel comfortable. If you want to improve the quality of wash for your baby’s clothing, consider these 4 tips.