Before the baby was born, you probably couldn’t wait to wash all those cute little clothes and receiving blankets. The added bonus: the incredibly hypnotizing smell of baby laundry soaps. This can have every mom-to-be swirling in the newfound fascination of washing baby clothing. But then, the baby is born, and you quickly realize that washing baby clothes becomes a full-time job. Many of the stains left behind are, to say the least, difficult to expel. But rest assured, it can be done.
Unfortunately, marketers of baby-friendly laundry products understand what you’re going through, and they sell tons of options that can make it difficult to decide which products you truly need to get your baby’s clothes clean.
Choosing the Right Detergent
First, it should be noted that pediatricians recommend using fragrance- and dye-free detergents to prevent allergic reactions. A newborn’s skin is incredibly sensitive, and perfumes or chemicals in laundry soap can cause rashes similar to prickly heat. However, most baby detergents on the market are highly fragrant. When you check the label of your chosen detergent, make sure it is hypoallergenic—this ensures it’s both perfume- and dye-free. Many families are turning to 100% organic soap products as hypoallergenic alternatives. While these won’t leave behind that ‘fresh as a baby’s bottom’ smell, they will get the clothes clean.
If you choose to go with well-known brands of baby-only detergents, be prepared to pay a hefty price. The truth is, these brands don’t include many more actual washing agents than your average detergent. One great product for washing baby clothing is All Free & Clear laundry detergent. Considering that many baby clothes will fall victim to organic stains (such as throw-up, spit-up, or formula), it’s worth learning how to treat these stains effectively.
The first line of defense is to pre-treat. If the stain originated from bodily fluids, remove the clothing as soon as possible and treat it with a stain removal product. Look for products specifically designed for these types of stains. If you can’t find them in the laundry aisle, these products are often sold in the baby aisle near the diapers and wipes.
The best way to pre-treat stains is to make a paste using the product you’re using. You can also add a touch of baking soda. One of the best products on the market for creating a pre-treatment stain removal paste is basic OxiClean. However, be very careful, as it can bleach clothes or disturb sensitive fabrics. Let the pre-treatment sit on the clothes for an hour, then rinse with cool water before throwing it in the wash. The next step is to add a little extra detergent or spray-type pre-treatment on the stain before placing it in the washing machine. If the fabric allows, wash it in hot water. One tip: Always check the clothing before throwing it in the dryer, as the dryer heat will set the stain, making it virtually impossible to remove later.
Lots of moms wonder if they can use bleach on their baby’s clothes. One of the benefits of white clothing is that you can bleach it, ensuring that most food stains will come out in the wash. However, if you notice your child having an allergic reaction after wearing bleached clothes, you can assume the bleach is too harsh on their skin. Dryer sheets can also cause skin irritation as they leave a film on clothing. Still, white clothing is the easiest to clean. If you have white sheets, towels, or baby items, simply wash them in the hottest water your machine allows, add a cup of bleach, then re-wash or rinse them before putting them on your baby. This will leave you with stain-free clothing that isn’t laden with detergent residue.
One thing that makes baby laundry different from other laundry in your house is that it should be washed as quickly as possible. Due to the nature of the stains, the longer they sit in a hamper, the harder they’ll be to remove. You’ll soon notice that washing baby clothes becomes a daily chore. You may want to wash all of your baby’s clothes separately from other household laundry. This makes it easier to keep them together, put away, and ensures that no other clothes with chemical stains end up in your baby’s laundry.
One essential piece of baby clothing that will not only help you with laundry but also reduce stain removal work is a bib! Sure, purchasing the cute bibs with catchy phrases is fun, but your new best friend will be the bibs that go over your baby’s head. These terry cloth wonders are lifesavers. Once your baby starts teething and eating at the table, they’ll protect your baby’s clothes from the stains that can ruin cute outfits in minutes. Plus, they stay put, so you won’t have to worry about strings or straps getting tangled. If you purchase them, make sure they’re made of washable fabric (or even plastic), so they can be used and reused!
Washing baby clothing is simply a fact of life when you have a baby. Finding stain-fighting products and keeping your child in comfortable, easy-to-care-for fabrics while at home can save you a lot of time and money on stained clothes.
