Do you wash brand new clothes before putting them on your newborn baby?

[FetchHistory]

We're expecting a baby in a couple weeks and just been out buying some baby clothes with a friend. On the way home she mentions, all you have to do now is wash all these new clothes and iron them just in time for baby's arrival.

AIBU to put new clothes straight on my baby without washing them first? Is this a done thing or is she being unreasonable?
This includes packaged clothes. She said everything gets washed and sterilised before use.

NC because I didn't do this with my first DC and feel like a terrible mum 😭

Yes, I wash all new clothes in the household.

didn’t wash a thing for my baby

@lancaster

No, never. Fresh new clothes never feel as good after you've washed them.

I find the exact opposite!

My dd got rashes in her armpits and behind her knees from new clothes so I started washing shop bought but not second hand.
I still wash them now and she's 5. I put them on a rinse cycle and then a normal wash.

@TheKeatingFive

I thought everyone did to be honest!

Why would you think that?

Because a butt load of people have touched the clothes and certainly factories in other countries very likely have rats running around them? Frankly, ours probably do too.

But hey, after reading the thread about washing fruit, nothing surprises me when it comes from mumsnetters these days.

Yes- absolutely please wash all clothes. Speaking from experience. To put this into context I am a clothing designer of 20 plus years by trade and visit many clothing factory manufacturers when clothes are in production. If you knew how the fabric is handled whilst It is being made first into cloth then made into a garment......you will be running to wash your clothes. BELIEVE ME. 🤮🤢

Of course

yes my MIL worked in a big store warehouse and she said mice ran rampant over all the product.

Yes, I wash most clothes before wearing. But I don't remember the last time I ironed except when sewing masks.

And yes, the "non bio" thing is a UK thing. The first time I bought laundry detergent in England I had no idea what the whole bio/non bio thing meant. We have nothing like that in Canada.

Yes I did, I've read stuff about chemicals being used to keep clothes straight and create free and transported in good condition especially when coming from the far east.
I dont however (in reference to another thread) wash my unworn clothes when I'm back from holiday incase they are 'dirty from being in the suitcase' or 'smell like the hotel room'

Washed all the 0-3 stuff for first Baby - second baby now and haven't bothered. Don't do it for any of our stuff.

@FetchHistory

We're expecting a baby in a couple weeks and just been out buying some baby clothes with a friend. On the way home she mentions, all you have to do now is wash all these new clothes and iron them just in time for baby's arrival.

AIBU to put new clothes straight on my baby without washing them first? Is this a done thing or is she being unreasonable?
This includes packaged clothes. She said everything gets washed and sterilised before use.

NC because I didn't do this with my first DC and feel like a terrible mum 😭

So what happens in the manufacturing process is the material is brought on site (it’s already gone through production packaging and handling. It is then processed as in cut and sewed and packaged and basically handled by lots of different people with varying levels of environment and human cleanliness. Normally that material has not been washed till this point. Once items are ready they are sprayed with chemicals to prevent mold, mildew and pests. These packages which come from far of lands like India and China then spend months getting here. Where they then sit in ports or warehouses till they go to shops and get to your baby.

It IS in your baby’s health to was these clothes. Always. Without fail.

This applies to grown ups clothing. As well where possible.

No…. Never.

Bonnieonthelam

Are there any stats about the number of people who've suffered serious health problems as a result of wearing unwashed brand new clothes?

No, not for either kids

100% washed everything for the Baby. Their skin is so sensitive and you don’t know how the clothes have been treated.

I forgot to add the part about mice and rats in these factories. They run rampant and have weed and walked all over these clothing items whilst in storage and whilst in production.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Bonnieonthelam

Are there any stats about the number of people who've suffered serious health problems as a result of wearing unwashed brand new clothes?

Of course not, because numpties like you are hardly going to report it are they.

It’s common sense.

@fallfallfall

yes my MIL worked in a big store warehouse and she said mice ran rampant over all the product.

Urghhh this is vile. I don't wash my own clothes either. Now seriously washing mine as well after the revelations on this thread.

I wasn't expecting faeces and rats etc to have come in contact with clothes at the factory 🤢🤢