Babies may be small, but they often come with a lot of mess! To help you out, we���re going to try and reduce some of the stress of laundry time by explaining how to wash your baby���s clothes.
Top tips for washing baby clothes
- Check the care label: As you would with your own clothes, always check the garment���s care labels to see if it has any special washing instructions before you put a load of washing on. Some items might need to be hand-washed or washed in cold water. This can be a little time-consuming so it's best to consider looking at the care labels when buying baby clothes. If you are hand-washing, wearing rubber gloves can help protect your hands.
- Inside out: Baby clothes are often decorated with designs and prints. It's best to wash them inside out so that they stay bright and colourful for longer!
- Dry naturally if you can: You should try to hang your baby���s clothes (and your own) outside to dry if the weather allows it! Sunlight helps to remove stains and air drying is much better for the environment than using a tumble dryer.
- Lights and darks: Just as you do with your own clothes, it���s a good idea to separate your baby's clothes into whites and colours. Also, remove any heavy soiling ��� like food spills, spit-up or poo ��� before they go in the washing machine.
- Keep bacteria at bay: If anyone in your house has been feeling under the weather, you should wash your baby���s clothes and bedding separate from anything that could be infected with bacteria. This can linger even during washing.
- Stay safe: Laundry detergents are dangerous so it���s a good idea to baby-proof your laundry area and keep all cleaning products out of your baby���s reach.
Washing newborn clothes before use
It���s a good idea to wash your baby���s clothes and anything that will touch their skin (like bedding, blankets, towels, and soft toys) before they���re worn or used, whether they���ve been bought brand-new, as a gift, or second-hand. This is because clothes can easily pick up germs, dust and dirt that could irritate your baby���s delicate skin on their way to your home.
To bio or not to bio?
This choice is down to your personal preference! All good-quality brand detergents are tested thoroughly and safe to use when washing baby clothes.
Some parents may have concerns about biological detergents because they contain stain-removing enzymes that could be irritating to skin. If this is the case, you can choose to use a non-biological detergent.
If your baby has eczema or another skin condition that causes irritation and sensitivity, it can help to choose a detergent that's hypoallergenic and free from dyes and fragrances.
At what temperature should I wash baby clothes?
As we���ve said previously, you should always check the care label on your baby���s clothes to know what temperature to wash them at. That said, most baby clothes (aside from dirty fabric nappies) can be washed at 30��C or 40��C.
This temperature range is hot enough to remove any lingering dust or dirt and is also more eco-friendly than higher temperature settings.
Wash fabric nappies separately
Reusable nappies should be washed separately from other items at a higher temperature (around 60��C). This is to make sure that all bacteria and germs are removed.
When washing reusable nappies, it���s best to use gentle non-bio detergent and avoid fabric softener. This can affect the absorbency of your nappies, and nobody wants that!
