Probably one of the main things for young parents to worry about is how to keep their baby’s clothes clean. Of course, no parent wants to worry that their baby’s clean clothes will still be dirty and uncomfortable for the child. There are so many little nuances about laundering baby garments. It’s easy to get lost in the process of choosing the detergent, debating whether to pre-wash the baby’s necessities and deciding what to do about the inevitable stains.
If you’re still figuring out where to find a wide selection of high-quality is the ideal place. However, with new clothes, the washing issue only grows. Cleaning baby clothes sounds like a complicated chore, but the basics are pretty simple. Whether you love or loathe the laundry process, this guide will make this task easy.
Preparations: What Do You Need?
Are you ready to launder baby clothes? Check that you have everything on the list below to ensure you are fully prepared for the process.
Detergent
People often say you should wash your baby’s clothes separately with “baby” detergents. The reason is that they’re less likely to cause skin irritation and are supposed to leave fewer residues. The reality is that most parents wash baby clothes using common detergents, and it doesn’t lead to any problems.
Therefore, choose any detergent that smells good and gets the spots out. Opt for liquid detergents rather than powder, as they’re gentler on fabrics. If your baby shows signs of skin irritation, then think about switching to a baby-specific, hypoallergenic, or fragrance-free detergent.
Laundry mesh bag
It’s useful laundry stuff that most parents overlook. It lets you separate clothes in the washing machine. Get it to keep socks, hats, and mittens from going missing in the washing machine or dryer.
Laundry soap
It’s a must-have option. You never know what kind of spots you’ll have to fight with every time you plan to launder baby clothes. So, most of the stains should be pre-treated by hand.
Drying rack
It’s optional. If you have a dryer, you can skip this point. Remember to look at the label to determine whether it’s possible to dry the particular clothes in a dryer.
Laundering
You are now completely prepared. However, many questions arise. Being careful enough, most parents wonder not only about a detergent choice but also if they need to pre-wash new clothes, how baby garments should be generally washed, what temperature is best, and so on. Let’s find it out!
Is Pre-Washing New Clothes Necessary?
New clothes have an unknown history. If you buy new garments for your little one or receive them as a gift or in the mail, they can easily pick up dust and dirt on the way. If you wash them before putting them on, you can ensure that any irritating materials have been removed from the fabric before they come into contact with your baby’s delicate skin. Exceptions to this might include coats and jackets that don’t come into much contact with the skin (and are usually hard to wash and dry).
How to Wash?
The first rule to follow is to look at the label to discover any washing peculiarities. Here it is marked whether you can wash the clothes and the preferred temperature. If not, you may be tempted to wash them at the highest temperature. 30 to 40 degrees is absolutely enough to remove dirt; thus, the garments will last longer.
You can follow this easy step-by-step instruction:
- Sort the clothes into light and dark colors. If possible, wash the baby’s garments separately from the rest of the clothing.
- Check clothes for stains and pre-treat them if you think there’s a need.
- Put small clothing items into the mesh bag.
- Button any fastenings and turn the garment inside out before putting it in the washing machine.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of detergent, or use the measuring cup, and turn the washing machine on.
Once the wash cycle is finished, examine the item to see if the stains have been removed. If not, put the clothes in the washing machine again. The drying process can set the stain, making it harder to remove. If the garments have been thoroughly cleaned, you can hang them up to dry. Also, keep in mind that there are fabrics prone to shrinking or stretching. Dry them in a way that keeps their shape.
Closing Thoughts
Washing your baby’s clothes is an essential aspect of family life. It doesn’t have to be challenging or time-consuming. Now you know the instructions and tips to do this simple task without much effort.