How To Wash The Newborn’s Clothes?
To know how to wash your newborn’s clothes, just follow three fundamental rules. The first is not to use ordinary washing powder, but only special soap for babies. Also, you should never use fabric softener and, finally, it is necessary to wash each piece separately.
As you can see, at first glance it is very simple to ensure that the newborn is not exposed to the harmful chemicals present in washing powder. However, if we want to be more incisive about the matter, it is worth considering the experts’ opinion.
Recently, the American Academy of Dermatology issued a controversial statement regarding laundry detergent. In the opinion of this institution, there is no real evidence that a baby can be affected if their clothes are washed with ordinary washing powder, provided that exactly the amounts suggested are used.
Furthermore, they also state that only in cases where the baby has tested positive for allergies after exposure to the chemical products of washing powder, it is recommended to discontinue its use.
Without further ado, and thinking about the specific needs of newborns, pay attention to the recommendations that we will give below.
How to wash the newborn’s clothes?
To answer this question, we decided to separately address each of the aspects related to the washing of newborns’ clothes that most raise doubts for parents.
Ordinary soap or baby soap?
One of the main premises has always been not to use common soap to wash newborns’ clothes. On the contrary, it is advisable to use only special soap for babies and in small amounts.
This advice applies to newborns’ clothes and until they are approximately 6 months old, which is the age at which the American Academy of Pediatrics considers ordinary soap to be used.
One of the currently highlighted options is to use organic products, which contain few or no chemical reagents.
In any case, it is recommended that, before using any brand of laundry soap, you try to wash only one of the child’s clothes. So, when wearing her, you should assess how her skin responds to contact with the clothing.
Is it advisable to use fabric softener or not?
Softener is contraindicated for the newborn’s clothes. It should only be introduced into the washing routine after six months of life. The reason for this condition is that, during the washing cycle, the softener is a product applied only in the last rinse of the part.
This assumes that a good amount of the product will not be rinsed off and will therefore be impregnated into clothes. Thus, there is a possibility of causing an allergic reaction in the baby.
If you decide to use it anyway, it is advisable to limit its use only to items such as bed linen, for example. Also, it’s best to make sure you put in an adequate amount so that most of the product comes out.
Machine wash or hand wash?
For washing the newborn’s clothes, both the washing machine and hand washing are good options. In the case of hand washing, you must ensure that the rinse is ideal so that no soap residue remains on the clothes.
Now, if your baby has delicate clothes, such as pieces made of lace or embroidery, then don’t put them in the washing machine, mainly because they will deteriorate more quickly.
Other washing recommendations are to program the washing machine on the gentle cycle and never mix adult clothes with baby clothes. In fact, the newborn’s clothes must be washed separately.
How often should I wash the newborn’s clothes?
The ideal is to wash and scrub the stains from the newborn’s clothes whenever they get dirty. It is important not to let them accumulate in the laundry basket to prevent them from swarming with bacteria or making the stains impossible to remove. But remember that the premise is not to use stain removers or abrasives.
As a final recommendation, remember that a newborn’s towels should be laundered at least every two uses, while bedding should be laundered at least once every ten days.
