Baby clothes often get messy quickly. It can seem like as soon as you do a load of laundry, you have to turn around and do another. Also, you may wonder which laundry detergent, washing method, and drying technique will give you the best results. Washing baby clothes doesn’t have to be overwhelming, though. Here is how you can wash baby clothes and keep them fresh with minimal effort.
Keep in mind that specific instructions for washing baby clothes vary depending on the top-load washer or front-load washing machine you are using. Here’s what you need;
- Washing machine
- Gentle laundry detergent
- Dryer
- Stain remover
- Soft-bristled brush
Remember, the information provided on the garment’s care tag is crucial to determining the washing.
Step 1: Carefully Separate Baby Clothes from other Clothes
Newborn baby clothes are often treated differently than regular clothing because they are more delicate and require special care. If you have a large collection of laundry items, it makes sense to separate those pieces into a designated “baby-only” pile. This way, you will know exactly where to find them when you are ready to wash everything else.
You could even use labels to designate different piles based on what type of item they are — like onesies versus pants. You might also consider sorting your laundry according to color or size to help keep things organized. It’s also crucial to sort your baby’s clothes by color and fabric type. This will help prevent any accidental bleeds and tears. Be sure to check for any stains that need pretreating.
Step 2: Read the Clothing Care Label
The next step before beginning pre-washing or washing your baby’s clothes is to check the laundry care labels. These are usually located on the tag attached to the garment. Some common things to look out for include how long the garments need to be washed, whether they require tumble drying, and what temperatures they should be washed at.
Step 3: Identity and Pre-Treat Stains
To remove tough stains, pre-treat the soiled clothing with either detergent or an effective stain remover. Gently scrub the stain using a soft-bristle brush, like an old toothbrush, to break it up. For stubborn stains, you may want to use a good stain remover. Alternatively, seek the help of a laundry service provider.
Step 4: Prep the Baby’s Clothes and Place them in a Washing Machine.
Did you know you can protect your baby’s clothes from early tear and wear? Just button all buttons, close all zippers, and turn each cloth inside out to protect the seams and fabric. Place small laundry items like bibs and socks in a mesh laundry bag to ensure they don’t get lost. Once you have prepped your laundry, place them inside your washing machine.
Load the washing machine appropriately. Overloading the machine will not only make it harder on the machine itself, but it can also cause baby clothes to come out dirty or damaged. For best results, wash baby clothes in small loads.
Step 5: Choose the Right Detergent
Choose the right detergent. You’ll want to use a detergent that is gentle on both baby clothes and baby skin. Look for a hypoallergenic option that is free of fragrances, dyes, and other harsh chemicals. You may also want to consider using an eco-friendly detergent to be kinder to the environment.
Set the washing machine to the appropriate cycle and temperature. In general, you will want to wash baby clothes on a delicate cycle using cool water. Hot water can cause damage to delicate fabrics and can set stains, so it should be avoided if possible. If you are unsure about what settings to use, check the care labels on the clothing items themselves.
Step 6: Dry the Baby Clothes and Fold them carefully.
Hang dry or tumble dry on low heat (again, following garment care label instructions). Hanging wet baby clothes up to dry will help them keep their shape and prevent them from shrinking in the dryer. If you do choose to tumble dry, be sure to use a low heat setting to protect both the clothing and the dryer itself from damage.
Fold or put away clean baby clothes immediately after washing is complete. This will help prevent wrinkles and make it easier to find what you are looking for when you need it.
Washing baby clothes doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Just follow these simple steps, and you will have clean clothes in no time.
