Pre-Washing baby clothes - should one use fabric softner?

[SeptMummy]

I'm about to wash our baby clothes and muslins pre babys arrival in a few weeks. Should I use fabric softner? Heard smewhere it wasn't advisable but just wanted your opinion?

[icravecheese]

both my babies got baby eczema from a young age (a few wks old) & fabric softener made it worse / exacerbated it, so I would err on side of caution & say no to fabric softener, just incase you have a baby with sensitive skin. Happy ironing! x

[sidorek]

just doing the same:) I was advised not to as it may be a possible allergen plus it reduces water absorption. May I ask which washing powder/liquid do you use? I use Fairy, with double rinsing.

[supadupapupascupa]

honestly? I would treat the same as everything else in the house. It's hard enough to keep up with washing without worrying about doing the DCs separately in different soap etc.

My reasoning was that IF DS had a problem with his skin I could rewash everything in more gentle powder etc. He does have eczema, but the powder makes no difference. PLUS it is a nightmare getting clothes clean in non-biological wash powder (which incidentally I don't think you can even buy in most European countries.....)

I know you asked about softener specifically, and I always use it, again because I don't separate DS's clothes from the rest of the family.

[whizzyrocket]

I on the other hand have always had really sensitive skin and had eczema as a child, and bio and fabric conditioner are fine... the chlorine they put in our tap water on the other hand is more of a nuisance!

I'm with supa, change your ways if it's a problem.

[Jojay]

What Supa said. Life is too short.

[Misty9]

well, I've just done a marathon wash of all his newborn and 0-3 stuff, and have muslins and towels in the wash as I type....all with conditioner so I bloody hope that was ok! Not doing it all again before he arrives...

[MissusTulip]

goodness, there must be something in the air today - have just come downstairs with all baby clothes and bedding to wash em in readiness and stopped to have lunch and p*ss about on t'internet for a little while. Took me longer than expected to bring them all downstairs, partly taking them out of packaging, partly due to baby-clothes induced soppiness... Happy washing, have nothing helpful to add re to softener or not to softener, have to ponder this myself too!

[Crosshair]

Fabric softner makes my eczema worse, but so do certain washing powders as well.

[SeptMummy]

Thanks guys.... I use persil non-bio anyway as DH has sensitive skin and comfort fabric conditioner....(i agree non-bio doesn't clean aswell as bio but what can i do!) I'm inclined to go with Supa and change if it causes problems in the future.

[iWILLdothis]

I did mine today too
Used Asda's own non-bio gel. Didn't use conditioner.
Big job. Exhausted now. But satisfied :)

[Boosaphena]

i've just done all mine too - persil non bio, and lenor and tumble dryer... I'm sure i ironed DC1&2s this one has had them flattened!

[Mimatchin]

I've just done it today...non bio..just a little softener..Hope I'll not have to do ti again :(