At first glance, washing baby clothes seem pretty easy. They’re tiny, they don’t get that dirty, and many are machine-washable. But when you’re dealing with a little one, there are a few extra considerations to take into account before washing baby clothes. From sorting your loads to choosing the right baby detergent, here’s what you need to know about washing baby clothes.
Should you wash baby clothes separately? You’ll likely want to wash baby clothes separately from your own due to the chemicals in adult detergents that may be irritating to your little one’s sensitive skin.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the issue and help you make an informed decision about whether or not you should wash your baby’s clothes separately.
Can You Wash Newborn Clothes with Other Laundry?
Many people choose to wash newborn clothes separately from the rest of the family’s laundry for the first time. This is because their delicate skin is susceptible to irritation from soap, so you may want to start with a clean load of laundry.
Some people prefer to wash newborn clothes separately because they don’t want to mix them in with older children’s more colorful or patterned clothing, which could cause dye transfer onto the new items.
Should You Wash Baby Clothes Separately
When you first find out you’re having a baby, there are many things to prepare. You’re probably busy stocking up on all the essentials, including some cute outfits for your little one.
Whether you’re dealing with a newborn or a toddler, washing baby clothes with adult clothing can be risky because babies have sensitive skin.
Washing newborn clothes with adult clothing could irritate or harm their skin if an adult detergent is used. If a scented detergent is used, it could also cause your little one to develop a skin rash or an allergic reaction.
On the other hand, newborns have a tendency to get spit up on and blow out of diapers (you know what I mean), so their clothes are not as clean as yours.
As a result, some experts suggest washing clothes for your baby in a separate load from the rest of your family’s laundry.
Many healthcare professionals recommend that parents keep their child’s laundry separate from the rest of the household’s for at least the first year of their life.
At What Age Can You Wash Baby Clothes in Regular Detergent
The best time to start using regular detergent is when the baby is at least one-year-old.
A Baby’s skin is much more sensitive than an adult’s. It is important to look for a detergent that does not have any harsh chemicals, as these can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.
The best way to eliminate this concern is to use a baby detergent until the child is at least 1-year old.
Can You Wash Baby Clothes with Regular Detergent
A baby’s skin is more sensitive than adults and children’s. A baby’s clothes need to be washed with a detergent that is specifically for babies. Regular detergent can cause allergic reactions in the baby.
Babies are more prone to allergenic reactions, especially skin rashes and eczema. A baby’s skin is much thinner than adults’ and children’s, so it is important that you wash your baby’s clothes with detergent specially made for babies.
Can You Wash Baby Poop Clothes with Other Clothes?
If you’re washing baby clothes, you don’t want to mix in other people’s clothes. You also don’t want to wash clothes that are stained with baby poop right in with other laundry.
(No matter how small the stain is.) If your baby is breastfed and pooping runny yellow stuff, it’s not harmful to other clothes.
But even so-called “normal” stool can contain some pretty nasty bacteria and viruses that might contaminate other clothing.
So unless things are really bad, I’d just recommend washing the poopie-soiled items by themselves.
Tips to Wash Your Baby Clothes
One of the first things you need to do when a baby comes into your life is to set up the nursery. This requires several new things to purchase, including little one clothes, a crib, and others. At some point, however, someone has to wash those cute little outfits and accessories, and this can be tricky due to the sensitive nature of infant skin.
While many products are marketed as baby-friendly, it’s important to know what to look for in your detergent and how to use it safely.
Choose Liquid Detergent Instead of Powder Detergent
Powder detergents contain more chemicals than liquid detergents, which can cause irritation for your baby’s skin. There are also fewer opportunities for powder detergents to dissolve completely during the wash cycle.
Residue from powder detergent can be left on your baby’s clothes, which could lead to unwanted rashes or itching. For these reasons, we recommend using liquid detergents instead of powder for your baby’s clothes.
Wash Baby Clothes in Cold Water
Washing your baby’s clothes in hot water may seem like a good idea because of the extra cleaning power it offers, but the heat can actually damage baby fabrics. Washing in cold is the best way to wash baby clothes without shrinking.
Don’t use Harsh Detergent
Harsh detergents are meant for washing regular clothes, as they are not recommended for baby’s clothing. And again, do not use bleach because it is harmful to your baby’s skin and might also affect the baby’s clothing color.
FAQs
Why do parents wash baby clothes separately?
Most new parents start out washing their baby’s clothes separately from the rest of the family’s laundry. This is because babies’ skin is sensitive, and all that extra fabric softener and detergent can irritate them and cause rashes.
Some parents continue to wash baby clothes separately from everything else even after the baby starts crawling around and getting dirty like everyone else in the family. They believe it helps keep germs away or prevents stains from setting in clothing that can’t be washed in hot water.
How long should I have to wash baby clothes separately?
To be on the safe side, I would wash them separately for at least a year. It’s not just the clothes that need to be washed, but all bedding, blankets, stuffed animals, etc.
Babies don’t have fully developed immune systems until they are about 2 years old and their skin is much thinner which leaves them more vulnerable to chemicals. Their lungs are also not as well developed.
Do babies need special laundry detergent?
Yes, babies do need special laundry detergent.
The reason is that their skin is so much more sensitive than adult skin. And the amount of laundry you’ll do for a baby increases by about tenfold compared to what you’d be doing previously. So it’s really important to use the right stuff.
Look for baby-specific laundry detergents that are free from chemicals and fragrances to avoid irritation and allergic reactions. Also, check out this guide I put together on the best laundry detergent for babies and kids, which includes a bunch of recommendations to get you started.
Should you use fabric softener baby clothes?
Using fabric softener on your baby’s clothes, you might be putting the baby at risk. Fabric softeners can reduce the effectiveness of flame-resistant clothing, so it’s best to avoid them entirely with children’s sleepwear.
Fabric softeners may also irritate your baby’s skin and cause allergic reactions. These products coat clothing fibers with a mix of chemicals designed to give fabrics a softer feel and a fresh scent.
Is 30 weeks too early to wash baby clothes?
Not at all. Washing clothes at 30 weeks for a new baby is a popular thing to do way in advance, so if washing them relaxes you (and as long as you’ve got the time/energy), go for it.
