Ask many experienced moms about the process of washing baby clothes, children party dresses and party kids suits and you will probably get the same answer from all of them: it’s very different from washing regular clothes. So, if you are a new mother, you have to know something. Those little creatures are certainly more trouble than they seem. How to approach the washing process, therefore, will make some changes and precautions. This may include, for example, quick removal of stubborn stains in their clothes, choosing the right detergent, and when to separate baby wear from the other clothes in the washing machine. All of this requires some caution and knowledge about the process and products you should use. For this reason, we will explain below the different steps to take and answer some of your burning questions about the right way to wash baby clothes.
Disinfect First:
Babies clothes require care because they can be exposed to different kinds of harmful stains. These stains can range from babies’ frequent drooling, food stains from messy eating, breast milk stains, urine, and as you might have guessed, poop. Some of them can be visible, but oftentimes, you might miss them if they are yellowish or hidden from your sight. So, it makes a big difference if you don’t rush to soak their clothes or clean them before you disinfect them first. Leaving these stains in the fabric can harm your baby’s delicate skin since all of these stains attract harmful bacteria. Unlike adults, babies have reactive skins which can be easily infected and develop rashes and allergies. Ensure, therefore, to inspect their clothes first to pick these stains and then apply a disinfectant baby detergent on them. The stains should also be scrubbed well to remove them thoroughly. After you disinfect them properly, you may move to the soaking part.
Use The Appropriate Detergent:
Before getting into the process of washing your baby’s clothes, you need to own the appropriate detergent that is safe for your baby. As a general rule, avoid all baby detergents that contain fragrances, whether they are weak or strong. It has been shown that these fragrances irritate baby’s soft skins because they contain strong chemicals that they don’t resist. But, to be obvious, you must also definitely not use regular detergent with any kind of your baby’s clothes. Baby detergents are specifically created to be free from extra chemicals and specialized for baby garments that are typically soft in fabric.
However, you should pay attention to whether your baby has a skin allergy. If this is true with your baby, you will have to consult with your paediatrician for the baby detergents suitable for him or her. If your baby does not have allergies and you are still wary about detergents sold in the market, you can benefit from recipes on the internet that teach you how to make a homemade baby detergent. It is really a thing. You will have to buy some ingredients to create it, but it is an easy process to make it. In case you end up still worried, you may ask the opinion of your paediatrician about this homemade detergent to confirm it is safe for your baby.
Using the Washing Machine:
With your baby clothes, a washing machine is a viable option, of course. Simply by using a gentle cycle with the washing machine, you will achieve the ideal rinse and washing level for clothes such as your baby’s. But, truth be said, not all baby clothes are the same. To have an informed decision, you should read the special washing instructions for each clothing. Sleepwear, for instance, is different from the delicate garments, and it’s therefore important to read the labels and follow through the instructions carefully. Likewise, there are many cases when it’s a bad idea to include the baby’s clothes in the washing machine with household clothing. If your baby has skin allergies, the household’s clothes are heavy, or you are forced to use a regular detergent, then isolate your baby’s clothes from them to avoid irritating your their skin or wearing down his or her delicate clothes. Yet, their clothes do not always have to be isolated. If your child has no allergies, and you can pick a baby detergent or even a mild one for all the household laundry, then you may combine them together in smaller loads to avoid the extra work.
Other Precautions:
In addition to the previous points, it is also critical to keep in mind some precautions whenever you are washing your baby’s clothes:
•Never combine your baby’s nappies with the other baby clothes in the same washing load.
•Always dry their clothes in sunlight.
•Never use drying papers to dry your baby’s clothes, especially when they have extra chemicals.
•Don’t compromise the washing process by using detergents that contain chemicals.
•It is always safe to wash baby clothes before using them for the first time. Even new clothes attract bacteria in the stores.
•Never use fabric softeners since they have a lot of chemicals