Washing baby clothes sounds like an easy task. After all, we’ve been washing clothes for years, right? When it comes to washing your baby’s clothes, though, there are some extra precautions you should take. A lot of first-time parents worry about special detergents for their baby’s clothes, the temperature to washing baby clothes, whether should you use warm or cold water, and so on. But how can you make sure those baby clothes come out of the wash without shrinking?
Routinely washing baby clothes in cold water and using a delicate or gentle cycle can help keep them from shrinking, even after multiple washes.
This article will explain how to wash baby clothes without shrinking them by hand and with a machine.
Do Baby Clothes Shrink in Wash?
Yes, baby clothes can shrink in the wash. Shrinking usually happens because of something you did (or didn’t do).
The amount of shrinkage depends on a couple of factors, such as the kind of material, the temperature used, the drying method, the detergent used, and the water.
How to Wash Baby Clothes Without Shrinking Them
Washing baby clothes isn’t quite the same as washing your own. Baby clothing is often made from more delicate fabrics and can shrink more easily. There are a few simple rules to follow to prevent this from happening.
Washing machine settings: Always use the gentle or delicate cycle on your washing machine for baby clothes.
Water temperature: It’s best to wash baby clothes in cold water to prevent shrinking and fading but read the care label of any garment before washing. Hot water can actually set stains and cause colors to fade. If you want to wash in hot water, check the care label first and make sure the item won’t shrink or bleed when washed in hot water.
Detergent: Use a non-phosphate detergent or a mild soap such as Woolite or Ivory Snow Liquid. If you have hard water, you might need to add a water softener or an extra rinse cycle, as minerals in hard water can stain clothing.
Wash by color and fabric type: As a rule of thumb, wash white baby clothes with white loads, wash dark-colored baby clothes with dark loads, and wash any items made of delicate fabrics using the gentle.
Avoid bleach and fabric softeners: These products tend to be harsh on clothing fibers and dyes – especially on delicate fabrics like lace, silk, and satin.
Skip the dryer: Dryers are a major cause of shrinking clothes. If you’re worried about shrinking, hang-dry your baby’s laundry instead of using a dryer.
Can You Unshrink Baby Clothes?
If you wash something in the washing machine and it comes out smaller than when you put it in, don’t despair. The best and most effective unshrink clothes easily using this method of baby shampoo and lukewarm water.
How Unshrink Baby Clothes?
It’s happened to the best of us, you throw a load of baby clothes in the wash and accidentally shrink them. But are they ruined forever? Fear not, there’s an easy trick to get them back to their original size:
Step 1: Fill a sink with lukewarm water and add a cap of baby shampoo.
Step 2: Soak the shrunken item for 30 minutes. Don’t use hot water, as it will further shrink the garment.
Step 3: Gently stretch the item back to its original shape while wet.
Step 4: Lay the garment on a flat surface and cover it with a towel. Use an iron on a warm setting to dry the fabric; make sure you don’t touch the iron directly to the garment, or it may burn!
Step 5: Once dry, try on the garment and repeat steps 3 and 4 until it is back to its original size.
Do Baby Clothes Shrink in the Dryer?
At times, people might not be aware that their baby’s clothes are shrinking. The reason for this is that the shrinkage is so minimal, and it can go undetected. However, if you wash your baby clothes in hot water and dry them in high heat, you will definitely notice some changes to the size.
Do You Wash Baby Clothes on Delicate
The best way to wash baby clothes is to use a gentle detergent like baby detergent and a gentle cycle. Wash baby clothes in cold water or warm water, not hot. When it comes to drying your baby’s clothes, skip the dryer and instead line dry them outside or in your house.
Do You Need to Wash New Baby Clothes?
It’s best to wash all new newborn clothes before your baby wears them. The reason for this is that new clothes may have dust or other particles that can irritate your baby’s skin. It’s important to wash your newborn’s clothes in advance so that the first time he or she wears them will be a pleasant experience.
What Temperature to Wash Baby Clothes
Baby clothes can be washed at a temperature of 30c or 40c degrees. This is the same temperature as a permanent press or delicate wash, and if you have a newer washing machine, it’s likely to have a handy setting that can do this for you automatically.
What Kind of Detergent Should I Use?
Choosing the detergent to use is so important. Many parents use fragrance-free laundry detergent or dye-free detergent when washing their baby’s clothes. This is especially important if your baby has sensitive skin or allergies.
If you’re concerned about what ingredients are in your regular laundry detergent, you can try switching to a brand like Dreft, which is specially formulated for babies (and is safe for newborns).
Should You Wash Baby Clothes in Warm or Cold
Baby clothes, like other delicate items, should be washed in warm or cold water to avoid shrinkage and fading. The only time you should wash baby clothes in hot water is when there’s a strong chance the garment has been contaminated with germs.
