Welcoming a baby into the family is an exciting occasion! However, it also comes with a lot of responsibilities and changes to your routine. One change you may not have considered is laundry. Babies are as cute as they are messy, and you’ll find they make an awful lot of laundry for someone so small. Babies have sensitive skin that requires special care, and the laundry detergent you use for the rest of the household may not be suitable. Don’t worry–you don’t need to spend your first few days with your bundle of joy frantically researching how to wash newborn clothes. Read on to learn how to wash baby clothes without sacrificing cleaning power!
How to Wash Baby Clothes
Babies have sensitive skin, but can make an awful big mess! The biggest challenge in washing baby clothes is developing a routine with products that are tough on stains but gentle on skin. You want to avoid harsh irritants and added fragrances that may cause irritation, without skimping on cleaning power.
Should You Wash Baby Clothes Before Use?
Did you just get a new outfit for your baby? Be sure to wash it first! Your baby’s skin is sensitive, especially newborns, so be sure to wash baby clothes, sheets and blankets before using them. New clothes and bedding are often treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process, and you don’t want these irritants to come in contact with your baby’s skin. You don’t know what has come in contact with the garment before it entered your home; prewashing is the best way to make sure your baby’s skin stays reaction-free.
Be Prepared to Treat Stains!
Those jammies you just pre-washed and then put on your baby – the ones with the footies and bunny tail – are so stinkin cute. And then your baby spits up on them. This is going to happen all the time, so it’s best to just accept it. Not all is lost, though. Your newborn laundry doesn’t need to stay stained. When treated quickly, baby stains can be washed away in a snap. Check out our guides to how to tackle the most common baby stains!
How to Get Baby Poop Out Of Clothes
How to Remove Baby Spit Up Stains
Looking to learn how to wash baby clothes with other stains? Most stains can be treated by using an enzyme-based product, such as our Ultra Concentrated Detergent or Oxi Booster Pods. The enzymes in the products break down the proteins, sugars, and oils that make up the stain, allowing them to be easily washed away. You can dissolve an Oxi Booster Pod in warm water and allow the garment to soak, or apply a pump of Ultra Concentrated Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent directly to the stain and let it sit before rinsing. Either solution should restore your baby’s clothes to their pre-stained state!
It’s best not to put stained garments in the dryer. Try line-drying instead; the sun can remove stains (it’s often recommended to dry cloth diapers in the sun because of the sun’s bleaching power). If you aren’t able to hang clothes out to dry, then check to make sure the stain is completely gone before putting in the dryer on a low setting.
What Should You Use to Wash Baby Clothes?
Laundry doesn’t have to be your life. Keep washing baby clothes simple and routine. Start by using a detergent that’s gentle enough for baby’s delicate skin but still strong enough to fight stains. Our Sensitive Skin & Baby Laundry Detergent is a parent’s best friend. Dropps Laundry Pods are pre-measured in a convenient package that can just be tossed into the wash, saving time and hassle. If you’re startled by a baby cry when putting clothes in the wash, no worries–there’s no large jug of liquid laundry detergent to spill here! Our tough on stains, gentle on skin formula is made from non-toxic ingredients and is free of artificial dyes and fragrances.
Can I Put my Baby Clothes in the Dryer?
Baby clothes can go right into the dryer if there are no stains. Keep the setting low to prevent any shrinking or wear on the fabrics. And stay away from dryer sheets and traditional fabric softeners! These products coat clothing in a sticky coating to give the illusion of softness. These chemicals can cause skin irritation and could potentially reduce the effectiveness of fire resistant chemicals on fabrics. If you are looking for added softness, try a mineral based product like Dropps Fabric Softener Pods instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions about how to wash baby clothes? We have answers!
How do you wash baby clothes for the first time?
It’s important to pre-wash baby clothes after purchasing. While adults may be able to wear an item right off the rack, babies have uniquely sensitive skin that can be irritated by contaminants. It’s best to play it safe and wash any new garments using Sensitive Skin & Baby Laundry Detergent before use.
Can baby clothes be washed in washing machine?
Baby clothes can absolutely be washed in the washing machine! The most important thing is to make sure you are using products designed for sensitive skin. Be sure to consult the item’s care label when washing to see if the garment has any special instructions. When in doubt, we recommend washing in cool water. Forgoing heat will help maintain the structural integrity of the fabric, and it’s better for the environment too!