How to wash baby clothes: practical tips to avoid mistakes
How to wash baby clothes? We are sure that at least once in your life it will have happened to you too to think about this matter, especially new mothers, they may find themselves unprepared and wonder if washing the baby's laundry should follow very specific rules. In this article we will give you clear answers to the questions that have always gripped you, but first we want to advise you on watching the short video on the development of the newborn.
Is it necessary to separate the child's laundry from that of the family before washing it?
No, there is no point in separating your baby's laundry from that of other family members, especially if you use a detergent that is suitable for everyone's needs, including delicate skin such as that of babies.
The attention to be paid concerns the selection to be made before washing, dividing the garments according to temperature and colors. It is better to put light colors on one side and dark colors on the other, especially if you have new clothes whose colors could stain lighter clothes.
Find out more in the article: How to make a washing machine - 7 useful tips to avoid making mistakes.
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How often do you wash baby clothes?
It all depends on the type of garment: for example, bibs often only last for a meal; underwear and pajamas must be washed every day.
Clothes can last a day or two, especially for babies who don't move much.
The sheet should be changed several times a week because the baby sweats a lot from his head and spends many hours in bed.
The baby sleeping bag can be washed every 3 to 4 days.
Of course, when the heat increases and the baby sweats, it is necessary to increase the frequency of washing.
Is it necessary to change detergent when a baby is born?
It is not said that the change of detergent is essential, if you have a laundry detergent that can be aggressive for your baby's skin, you should consider switching to a mild, phosphate-free and hypoallergenic detergent. The ideal would be that the product you choose is adapted to the skin of your child and that of all members of your family. If the detergent you already use meets all the listed characteristics, there will be no need to change it.
Here are 3 detergents that can be purchased online, perfect for the laundry of children and adults.
- Winni "s Naturel Baby Washing Machine Detergent - 800 ml on Amazon for € 4.49
- Dash Baby Detergent for Delicates - 72 washes on Amazon for € 22.12
- Chicco Sensitive Laundry Detergent on Amazon for € 5.19
Better to avoid or prefer the softener?
Softener should be avoided for children's laundry, especially as regards its use on linen. Often these are products rich in allergens and too aggressive for the baby's skin.
A piece of advice we want to give you is to completely replace the softener with white vinegar:
At the last rinse cycle, pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into the softener compartment of the washing machine: you may be surprised by the result, and don't worry, your laundry won't smell of vinegar!
How to wash baby clothes: the temperature
Naturally the temperature will be adapted to the type of linen. Here is a mirror below, useful for not making a mistake.
At 90 ° to disinfect: towels, sheets, bed linen and bibs. Avoid washing them at less than 60 ° as they would not be well sanitized.
At 60 ° for a deep wash: children's underwear (body, etc.) always preferable in cotton.
At 30 ° for everyday clothes: children's clothes such as pajamas, pants, socks and T-shirts.
Cold: delicate clothes, for example woolen clothes. They can be washed like yours, by hand or in the cold cycle of your washing machine.
In the freezer: for soft toys that cannot be washed in the washing machine, you can use the freezer. After placing them in plastic bags, they will be left in the cold for a few hours to break down the bacterial load.
Is washing all the clothes of a newborn a mandatory step?
Yes, it is an essential step and should be automatic especially for the baby's clothes, but also for those of all the other members of the family. The clothes have been handled, touched by many people before they reach their hands, they are also impregnated with many irritants and toxic substances during their manufacture. For all these reasons, it is a good idea not to skip this step.
Can bleach be used for baby's laundry?
Even if the clothes are very stained, it is best to avoid using bleach to wash the baby's clothes, it is too irritating and could be dangerous for the delicate skin of the newborn. Try other solutions and in any case keep in mind that by washing your child's clothes often, the stains will tend to fade easily.
Baby laundry: never put it away before it is completely dry
That's right: never store your baby's laundry when it is still damp, even partially, because this will favor the development of unpleasant odors and, even worse, mold and mildew. If necessary, a little ironing can help dry a still damp garment before returning it to the dresser.
What to watch out for before washing children's clothes
When it comes to doing laundry, keep in mind that less is more:
- Use only one product (a mild and hypoallergenic detergent).
- Do not overdo the amount of detergent, not only does it not wash better, but it can also damage your clothes and skin.
- Do not overfill the washing machine.
- Avoid short cycles with the baby's laundry and do not skimp on rinses
How to wash children's clothes: 3 useful tips
- Put the baby's socks in a net before washing them, to prevent them from disappearing in a mysterious and annoying way.
- Close the zips and velcro straps of your little one's pajamas and bodysuits before doing the laundry. This way, they won't get caught and won't damage the rest of the laundry in the drum.
- If possible, choose (or try to have your child choose) a soft toy that goes in the washing machine! In this way we can be sure of not having allergy problems etc ...
If you want to know how to dress the baby at night according to the season, read our article: the most suitable clothing for the baby at night.
