Are you a first-time parent welcoming a little one into your family? If so, we will first say congratulations! One of the most exciting things about having a baby is being able to dress your baby in cute and cuddly clothes.
However, between spit-ups and diaper leaks, those adorable outfits can quickly become stained if not washed properly. Don't panic - washing baby clothes doesn't have to be a stressful experience!
In this blog post, we'll explain why it's important to keep up with laundry when caring for infants and share tips on washing baby clothes for the first time.
How To Wash Your Baby’s Clothes
Let's face it, stains on baby clothes, stuffed animals, and bedding are inevitable, but they don't have to be permanent. And, by the regular cleaning of your child's clothes, the better off your baby will be. However, there is a superior way to do this to ensure you are fully removing stains and bacteria.
Below, we will go over the best things to do when washing your baby's clothing.
Pre-Treat Stains
The first step in treating stained clothing is to strip the garment and rinse away any excess mess. A spritz of laundry stain remover should do the trick for smaller stains, while all-over stains require soaking in water with half a cup of detergent.
It is important to keep in mind that newborn clothes with stains should be washed before they dry, as this will help prevent them from setting in permanently. Additionally, some of the most effective stain removers are those that are specifically formulated for babies' delicate skin.
These gentle yet efficient formulas typically contain natural ingredients like coconut oil and plant extracts that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for use around infants. Finally, an important tip to remember is that it's best to treat a stain as soon as possible after it has occurred – the sooner you act on it, the better chance of completely removing it you'll have when it comes to washing.
Separate Your Laundry Loads
When washing baby clothes, it is preferable to do so separately from the rest of the family’s items. If mixed together, only a family-friendly detergent should be used. Clothes should also be sorted by color, just as with adult laundry.
For items such as socks and dirty bibs, they should all be placed in a mesh laundry bag for washing so that they are recovered and found. Diapers should be washed separately, on their own load.
Additionally, when using a washer, make sure that the amount of clothes being washed isn’t too much; otherwise, it can cause friction resulting in damage to delicate clothing.
Check the Instructions on Each Item of Clothings Label
After treating the stains and separating your baby's clothing, you can read the care labels on each item. Every piece of clothing has laundry symbols that will give you more information about washing.
Choose Your Detergent
Without a doubt, this is the most important step of the entire washing process. Choosing the best detergent for your baby's clothes is incredibly essential. Tru Earth’s pre-measured laundry detergent strips are the best option when choosing a detergent for your baby's delicate skin.
Tru Earth’s fragrance-free baby laundry detergent strips are the perfect choice for most newborns because of their natural ingredients. Not only that, but these strips don't contain any added dyes, chlorine bleach, parabens, or phosphates- all of which can be damaging to the environment.
These laundry strips pack a powerful punch when it comes to cleaning baby clothes. They’re ultra-concentrated and hypoallergenic, making them an excellent choice for children with sensitive skin.
With Tru Earth’s range of safe and effective detergents, we remain the go-to brand for parents looking for a product that will clean their baby's clothes without irritating their skin.
Run Your Machine On the Best Cycle
After adding a pre-measured laundry detergent strip to your load, choosing the best cycle for your washing machine to mitigate damage or discoloration is important. The suggested cycle to choose is the most gentle cycle with cold water.
Dry the Clothing
Following the washing cycle, you need to dry your baby's clothing. It's crucial to use a low heat setting in order to eliminate the potential shrinking of clothes. Some parents will opt for hang-drying their baby's clothing, which is another great option.
How Long Before Your Baby Arrives Should You Pre-Wash Clothes?
Although it's not necessary to pre-wash baby clothes before the newborn arrives, it is wise to focus on washing the smallest items first. This ensures that there is something for your little one to wear in the early days.
To make sure any potential germs and bacteria are removed from pre-worn clothes, opt for a gentle detergent specific for babies, as regular detergents may be too harsh on delicate fabric.
In addition, air-drying clothes outdoors or in a sunny spot can help naturally rid of any impurities while preserving the color and quality of clothing. Furthermore, you should always check each garment label carefully as some fabrics, such as wool, require a milder laundry cycle and temperature than most cotton or synthetics.
Finally, instead of folding clothes into piles after they've been washed and dried, hang them up in order to reduce creasing and keep them looking fresh until they're ready to be worn by your bundle of joy.
How Often Should You Wash Baby Clothes?
A good rule of thumb when it comes to washing baby clothes is to aim for at least one wash after buying them (before the first wear), and then weekly washes if they are only worn occasionally.
However, more frequent washing may be necessary for items that are worn frequently, such as bodysuits, which should be washed every few days or even after each wear. If an item is soiled or wet, then this should also trigger a wash cycle.
Furthermore, if the same outfit is being worn multiple times in between washes, then it will need to be washed before the next wearing. Additionally, in cases such as sickness bugs or other illnesses, all items of clothing, bedding, pillows/pillowcases, and towels should be washed thoroughly in order to prevent the further spread of infection.
Ultimately, the frequency with which you wash your baby’s clothes depends on how often they wear them, and you should use your best judgment when deciding when and how often clothes need to be washed.
