Babies are the best gift of god that brings a basket of joy into everyone's lives. Looking at them and cuddling them gives immense warmth and happiness. However, babies should be kept away from germs and bacteria. Clothes are one of the reasons for all that. Now, the concern of many parents is how to keep their baby's clothes clean and hygienic.
Babies are tiny, but they have more clothes than adults which need frequent washing. The reason for more clothes is that with every feeding session, their clothes get dirty. If you are looking for information on whether to use fabric softener on baby's clothes or not, read the article to know more.
Is It Safe to Use Fabric Softener on Baby Clothes?
Before jumping to conclusions about whether to use fabric softener on baby's clothes or skip it, it's important to know the reason for using softener. Fabric softener is mixed with detergents and used to make clothes and bedding soft against the skin.
Some people say that you should avoid using fabric softener on baby's clothes, while others say that it's safe. The fact is you can surely use it on baby's clothes, towels, and bedding for a gentle feel. However, select a fabric softener that is meant for soft skin. Moreover, also check the care labels before using the softener. The reason is that some brands of baby clothing use flame-resistant chemicals for unforeseen accidents and emergencies. Fabric softeners can affect the fire-resistant property as they contain emulsifiers and alcohol ethoxylates. Also, never use fabric softener to wash washable nappies because softener can make nappies less absorbent resulting in rashes.
Pros and Cons of Using Fabric Softener
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Tips to Wash Baby's Clothes
Here are some of the care tips to wash your little one's clothes:
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Always select "baby only" loads when washing babies' clothes because their skin is extra sensitive. A separate load also restricts the exposure of baby's clothes to bacteria or harmful chemicals from other laundry.
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Check the care label for clothes that require extra treatment, such as clothes with lace.
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Wash baby's clothes after every use, whether drools or fluids are visible or not, as a precautionary measure.
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Wash the washer once a month using natural products like vinegar. This will prevent bacterial infestation in the washing machine, which may transfer to clothes.
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Use laundry mesh bags to wash small items like baby socks. It will save you time looking for socks after washing because small items get lost in a heap of clothes.
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Fasten the hooks to avoid ripping off clothes.
How Much Detergent is Needed to Wash a Baby's Clothes?
The best way to know the exact amount of detergent is to check the detergent bottle's label. Over or underuse of detergent is not good for clothes. Overuse of detergent can cause skin irritation and leave soap residue on clothes. Underuse will leave the clothes dirty.
How to Select the Best Baby Laundry Detergent?
Finding the right laundry detergent for baby clothes is a task that requires the right information. Here is a list of tips for selecting the detergent:
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Always opt for non-biological detergent to protect baby's skin from rashes.
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Choose a fragrance-free detergent because some babies may be sensitive to products with scents.
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Try to differentiate between fragrance-free and unscented products. Some of the unscented products can cause irritation to your newborn babies.
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Select a dye-free detergent to avoid skin related issues with babies like eczema.
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Use baby-friendly detergent to avoid skin irritation.
How Often Should You Wash Baby Clothes?
As a precautionary step, wash their clothes after every use, irrespective of whether it's dirty or clean. There could be invisible germs on the clothes, which could be harmful for little ones. Also, there could be milk spills or nappy stains. The load depends on you, whether you want to wash in small loads or pile up clothes for large loads.
Types of Baby Laundry Detergent
There are different types of baby laundry detergents, which are listed below:
Tablets
These detergents come in a pre-portioned quantity, which you can easily pour into the machine to wash your little one's clothes.
Liquid
In the case of liquid detergent, you have to measure the quantity and then pour the detergent into the machine according to the load you select.
Powder
Just like liquid, you need to pour powder detergent and then add it to the machine accordingly.
Conclusion
Washing baby clothes requires extra care and precaution because their skin is extra soft and sensitive. You can use fabric softener with detergent to make the clothes soft and gentle but with precautions discussed in the article, like the right selection of softener. There are other tips to consider when washing baby clothes, which are discussed in the article.
