Let the nesting begin…your baby is almost here! The time has finally arrived to fill baby’s dresser and closet with all of those adorable footies, onesies, blankets and other sweet newborn layette items you have collected. But, first you will need to wash all of those baby layette items. Here are some tips on how to wash baby clothes and other baby things.
Baby laundry should be done separately from other household laundry. The first reason for this is to protect baby from catching germs that may live on the rest of the families clothing. Household kitchen linens, bath towels bedroom sheets, socks and undergarments often have unhealthy colonies of bacteria and viruses that can survive the wash and dry cycle. A new baby’s immune system is delicate and under-developed and needs to protected from these germs.
The second reason, to wash baby laundry separately from other laundry is because baby things should be washed with a baby safe laundry detergent. Traditional laundry detergents often contain harsh ingredients that can irritate a baby’s skin or respiratory system. A safe alternative to traditional laundry detergents is a green laundry detergent. Natural or green laundry detergents are both good for your baby and the planet she will inherit. They use only organically derived fragrances, rinse clean and rely mainly on plant-based ingredients. Here is a guide to discovering the best baby laundry detergents, click here.
Having a baby hamper either in the nursery or in the laundry room can help keep baby’s clothing separate from the rest of the family. A hamper with a washable and remover liner is preferable for freshness.
Baby layette items can often contain delicate embroidery, lace, appliques and other dainty trims. Sometimes this requires hand-washing per label instructions. Most natural detergents are gentle enough to use for these fine baby washables. For traditional washing in a machine, a mesh laundry wash bag is a must for baby laundry. Laundry bags offer protection to tiny socks,mittens, booties or other delicate baby things from getting snared , entangled or lost during the wash cycle.
Another baby laundry tip is to avoid using fabric softeners. Traditional fabric softeners contain harsh chemical ingredients which can irritate a baby. Natural detergents are formulated to rinse clean. This means that clothing does not retain sticky detergent residue and clothes are naturally soft to the touch. Also, adding a bit of vinegar to the rinse cycle can also aid in rinsing any remaining detergent and help keep clothing fluffy. Natural softness and reduced drying time can also be achieved by using a dryer ball.
Babies can quickly create small mountains of laundry. Some parents have found air drying laundry both as a time-saving and energy saving alternative to the conventional clothes dryer. Natural drying also reduces color fading and keeps baby clothing looking new. An indoor retractable clothesline or a indoor tripod rack offer a resourceful way to quickly air dry multiple baby clothing items and infant accessories inside your home. Outdoor clothes drying should be avoided with young babies as their clothing may be exposed to and entrap pollens and other airborne pollutants.
More Baby Layette Tips
Instead of washing your entire treasure trove of baby clothing at once, consider just washing an adequate assortment of essential pieces prior to your baby’s birth. This way you will know exactly how big your baby is. If your baby is delivered at nine pounds, you don’t want to be stuck with a bunch of newborn-sized items that you can’t return. Also, take care to not wash seasonal items too soon. It’s difficult to predict a new baby’s growth patterns. That cute bathing suit or adorable snow parka might not fit your baby when that particular season comes around. So, keep the tags on everything except the most basic pieces of your layette that you will use over a two week period. Save your receipts should a store return be necessary
That said, it is important to still have a wide variety of clothing pieces and other layette items readily available. Don’t under-plan. Baby’s need to be changed several times a day. Your new family member will require a lot of attention and you will require rest. That makes an equation that spells little time for laundry duties. Make sure that you have an adequate number of baby layette items stocked, cleaned and ready well in advance. It’s the worst feeling at 3:AM to find out that your baby just soiled the last sleeping gown or that every single baby blanket in the house is sitting soiled in the laundry room.
When confronting tough baby stains such as spit-up, poo, and formula spills stains you will need the extra help of stain-fighter. Again, natural is best. There are a variety of strong stain fighters that remove stains without harsh chemicals. The quicker baby spills are treated the more likely the stain remover and laundering process will restore the fabric to its original condition. Stains that do not come out in the wash, should be retreated and washed again prior to drying.
With a little TLC laundering your layette items will keep them fresh and soft just like baby.