Washing Your Baby's Clothes
Once you give birth to a baby, you'll have the feeling that you're doing laundry all day long. Babies are quite messy, so you'll have to wash their clothes frequently. But, be careful, since babies are also sensitive and you don't want to irritate their skin. Frequent washing can also damage your baby's clothes, and you definitely don't want for that to happen. It's important that you learn how to treat stains and how to wash and dry your baby's clothes properly.
Read the Instruction Indicated on the Tag
You'd be surprised how many people don't read the instructions indicated on the tag. And almost all relevant information is there. Does the clothing need to be turned inside out? Do you need to put it in a mesh bag? Can you use the chlorine bleach or not? What is the highest temperature at which it can be washed? And many others. Just check the tag.
Tip: Be particularly careful with your baby's pajamas and sleepwear. If they're made of fire retardant material, they'll need special care to keep their properties.
Sort Your Baby's Dirty Clothes in Separate Piles
When sorting your baby's dirty clothes, make several different piles - white, light and dark colors. That way you'll avoid color fade and dye transfer. Exclude any fire-retardant clothing from these piles. Don't forget to check on which temperature should you wash each piece of clothing and make separate different piles according to that, too. You should use the warmest water you can according to the tag.Tip: If you choose to use cloth diapers you'll need a separate pail for storing dirty diapers before you wash them. You should wash them separately.
Choose the Detergent
Avoid all strongly scented detergents. You can use the same detergent you use for all the other clothes, but if your baby has sensitive skin, you should look for the detergent that's made especially for babies. You can also make your own detergent. This may seem like a difficult job, but it's actually quite simple - just combine 1 cup of castile soap flakes, 1/2 cup washing soda, and 1/2 cup borax. One cup of this detergent will be enough for one load. You shouldn't use any fabric softener on your baby's clothes - it can irritate your baby's skin.
Tip: Always use the correct amount of the detergent. If you use too little or too much detergent, the clothes won't be washed well enough.
Remove the Stains
Before you put dirty clothes in the laundry basket, you'll have to remove all the stains. Try to remove the stain right away. Wipe off all the excess dirt from the clothes, and soak it in the cold water. If the stain has already dried, remove all the dried residue. Oily and greasy stains should be first covered with baking soda, talcum powder, or corn flour, in order to absorb the oil. Wait for 15 minutes and then pre-treat and launder clothes as usual. Dab some special stain remover directly on the stain before putting your clothes in the washing machine. You should keep a small bottle of stain remover with you to treat clothes when you're on the go.
Tip: Always first test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the clothing piece, to ensure the color integrity.
Extra Tips
Choose clothes you can wash at high temperatures and in a washer. Avoid all clothes that need handwashing. You should pre-wash all your baby’s clothes, blankets and any other washable things that will come in contact with her skin. You don’t have to do that before she’s born, you can do it before she gets to wear it for the first time. Also, always rinse your baby clothes one more time. That way you'll remove all detergent that might be left in the clothing fibers and could irritate your baby's skin. You can also use natural disinfectants, such as vinegar. Add it to the washing machine or use it for pre-soaking the clothes.
