Taking care of your newborn’s clothes is an essential part of keeping them comfortable, healthy, and safe. Newborns have sensitive skin, and the clothes they wear need to be cleaned and maintained with extra care. By following proper washing and maintenance practices, you can ensure that your baby’s clothes remain soft, gentle, and free from harmful chemicals. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best ways to wash and maintain newborn baby clothes safely.
1. Use Gentle, Baby-Safe Detergent
Newborns’ skin is delicate and more prone to irritation, so it’s crucial to use a detergent that is gentle and free from harsh chemicals. Regular household detergents often contain fragrances, dyes, and other additives that can cause rashes or allergies. Instead, choose a baby-safe detergent that is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and free of harmful chemicals.
Why It’s Important: Using the right detergent ensures that your baby’s clothes remain gentle on their sensitive skin.
Tip: Look for eco-friendly, non-toxic laundry detergents to protect your baby’s skin and the environment.
2. Wash Baby Clothes Separately
Newborn baby clothes should be washed separately from the rest of the family’s laundry. Adult clothes may contain dirt, oils, or chemicals that can transfer to your baby’s clothes and irritate their skin. Washing newborn baby clothes separately helps avoid this issue.
Why It’s Important: Keeps your baby’s clothes free from potential irritants and ensures they are cleaned properly.
Tip: Use a separate laundry basket for baby clothes to avoid mixing them up with adult laundry.
3. Pre-Treat Stains Carefully
Newborns tend to have frequent diaper leaks, spit-ups, and drool. These stains are inevitable, but it’s important to treat them properly to prevent them from setting in. Use a baby-safe stain remover or simply soak the affected area with a mild detergent solution before washing.
Why It’s Important: Treating stains immediately helps preserve the fabric and prevents odors from lingering.
Tip: Always check the fabric care instructions before using any stain removers.
4. Avoid Fabric Softener
While fabric softeners can make clothes feel softer, they may contain chemicals or fragrances that can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. It’s best to avoid using fabric softener on newborn baby clothes.
Why It’s Important: Fabric softeners can leave residues on the clothes that irritate the baby’s skin or disrupt the fabric’s breathability.
Tip: If you want to keep baby clothes soft, try using a small amount of white vinegar in the rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener.
5. Wash Clothes in Cold or Lukewarm Water
Hot water can break down delicate fabrics, causing them to lose their shape, fade, or shrink. When washing newborn baby clothes, it’s best to use cold or lukewarm water to preserve the integrity of the fabric.
Why It’s Important: Washing clothes in cold water helps maintain their softness, color, and shape while reducing energy consumption.
Tip: Always check the care label to confirm the recommended water temperature for each garment.
6. Air Dry Baby Clothes
Drying newborn baby clothes in the dryer can cause shrinking, fabric wear, and even damage to certain materials. For the best results, air dry your baby’s clothes. Lay them flat to dry or hang them up, depending on the fabric type.
Why It’s Important: Air drying helps preserve the fabric quality and prevents the clothes from shrinking or becoming misshapen.
Tip: If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and remove clothes promptly to minimize damage.
7. Use a Laundry Bag for Delicate Items
Some newborn clothes, such as those with delicate trims, buttons, or embroidery, may need extra protection during the washing process. To keep them safe, place them in a mesh laundry bag before washing.
Why It’s Important: A laundry bag protects delicate fabrics and accessories from snagging or becoming damaged.
Tip: Use a laundry bag for baby girl clothing or newborn baby clothes with embellishments like lace or appliqués.
8. Store Baby Clothes Properly
Once your baby’s clothes are clean and dry, it’s important to store them correctly. Make sure they are folded neatly in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in areas with excessive humidity, as this can cause mildew to form on the fabric.
Why It’s Important: Proper storage keeps clothes in good condition and ready for use when needed.
Tip: Consider using storage bins or clear bags to keep your baby’s clothes organized and protected from dust.
9. Check for Wear and Tear
Newborn baby clothes tend to get a lot of use, especially during the first few months. Before washing, inspect each item for signs of wear and tear, such as loose threads, worn-out buttons, or weak seams. Repair or replace any damaged clothes to ensure your baby’s safety.
Why It’s Important: Prevents accidents caused by loose buttons or weak seams.
Tip: Regularly inspect baby clothes and fix small issues before they turn into bigger problems.
10. Follow Fabric Care Instructions
Each piece of newborn baby clothing has its own set of care instructions. Always read and follow these instructions to ensure your baby’s clothes stay in the best condition possible.
Why It’s Important: Different fabrics require different care to maintain their softness, color, and shape.
Tip: Keep the care labels on hand for reference, especially for more delicate fabrics like wool or silk.
Conclusion
Properly washing and maintaining newborn baby clothes is essential to ensure your little one stays comfortable and safe. By using gentle detergents, washing clothes separately, avoiding harsh chemicals, and following fabric care instructions, you can keep your baby’s clothes in excellent condition for longer.
For eco-friendly and soft newborn baby clothes, OhMyBebe offers a variety of organic cotton options that are gentle on the skin and kind to the planet.