Step by step and essential care for washing baby clothes

The arrival of a baby at home usually changes the routine of a family in several points, especially in the case of first-time parents, and requires certain daily care: and one of them concerns the way in which the child’s clothes are washed. .

This care is mainly due to the fact that newborn skin (which is 20 to 30% thinner than that of an adult) is extremely sensitive and is more prone to allergies, dermatitis and diaper rash.

In addition, products with a lot of smell (such as fabric softener) are not suitable for babies’ clothes and extra attention is needed to ensure that the pieces are rinsed well, leaving no product residues, which could trigger changes in the skin.

But don’t worry: washing baby’s clothes is no seven-headed bug! It just requires a little attention and patience. Below you can see the main tips for washing them correctly and safely:

Step by step to wash baby clothes

Bia Martins, a partner at Organizadora de Lares, which specializes in organizing environments and the daily routine of homes, explains how to wash a newborn baby’s clothes:

• Newborn babies’ clothes should be washed separately from other people’s clothes.
• The first step is to look at each piece individually and check for stains on the clothes;
• If so, you’ll need a unique baby bucket that hasn’t been used with any chemicals. There you will leave the pieces to soak in warm water and specific baby soap or liquid coconut soap. Always, of course, separating the pieces by color.
• If there are no stains, you can normally wash the pieces by hand (with specific baby soap or liquid coconut soap), but never with regular soap.
• Finally, the great secret is to rinse the pieces well, as the chances of causing allergies or dermatitis on the baby’s skin are reduced.

“Never use fabric softeners or bleach! A great substitute for fabric softener is vinegar,” adds Bia.

Tips for washing baby clothes from 3 to 6 months

Bia explains that, at this stage, it is still recommended to avoid as much as possible any type of contact of the baby’s clothes with chemical products, because at this age the baby is still extremely vulnerable to allergies.

Clothes should continue to be washed only with mild soap and by hand, and be rinsed well afterwards.

Tips for washing baby clothes from 6 to 12 months

From this age, you can start washing baby clothes in the washing machine, but separate from other adult clothes.

“A good tip is to remove stubborn stains from clothes with vinegar and baking soda. Bleach, no way!”, highlights Bia.

Tips for washing baby clothes over 12 months

“At 12 months, if the baby’s clothes start to be washed together with the others in the house, it’s cool to put them in bags, specific for delicate clothes, so as not to lose the smaller pieces”, guides Bia.

Regardless of the stage, if the mother chooses to wash the baby’s clothes in the machine, it is essential to ensure that it is clean. For this, the tip is to start with a washing cycle (or self-cleaning, if the machine has it); then, remove all the hairs from other clothes and residues of chemical products that may have remained; and only then put the baby’s clothes and the appropriate products to start washing.

12 questions about washing baby clothes clarified

It is normal that, in everyday life, other doubts arise about washing the child’s clothes. Specialist Bia clarifies the main ones:

1. How long before the expected delivery date is it ideal to wash baby’s clothes?

“From the seventh month of pregnancy, so as not to run the risk of running out of clothes if the baby is born prematurely”, guides Bia.

2. Can I wash baby clothes in the washing machine?

Yes, but it is recommended that this be done only after six months, in delicate mode, and thoroughly sanitizing the machine before use, taking care to remove all residues of washing powder or fabric softener from the machine.

3. Can I wash baby clothes together with adult clothes?

“Only from 12 months. But if your baby is prone to developing allergies, wash everything separately at least until the age of 2,” recommends Bia.

4. Can I iron baby clothes?

“He must! The heat helps to eliminate impurities from the fabric”, highlights Bia.

5. When can I use regular soap (powder, liquid or bar) on baby’s clothes?

Only after 12 months, according to Bia.

6. Do I need to sanitize the washing machine before using it with baby clothes?

“Yea! This is essential to remove all chemical residues that may be in the machine”, guides Bia.

7. Can I put cloth diapers, towels, sheets and baby clothes all together in the machine?

As soon as the clothes start being washed in the machine, yes.

8. Are baby-specific laundry products safe?

“Yes, but it is important to be aware if your baby is sensitive to any marks. Avoid the ones that contain perfumes”, highlights Bia.

9. Can I use fabric softener on baby’s clothes?

” No! The fabric softener can cause allergies and dermatitis in babies”, recalls Bia.

10. Do I need to use specific buckets and basins for baby clothes?

” Yea. The buckets, especially the plastic ones, can retain the products used, so an exclusive bucket for the baby is necessary”, guides Bia.

11. Is there a secret to ironing baby clothes?

It is important to wait for the clothes to dry well before ironing them. Then just iron them with the care that other clothes normally require.

12. What kind of product should never be used on baby clothes?

“Bleach water, fabric softeners and products containing perfume should not be used”, emphasizes Bia.

It is worth remembering that, from the moment the child’s clothes are machine washed, a nice tip is to put the smaller and/or more delicate pieces inside specific bags, which protect the pieces during washing.

With little care with the clothes, the baby will be protected from possible allergies or other skin problems, and the pieces will be clean and well preserved!