How to wash newborn second hand baby clothes?

[Ana1242]

Ftm. I've found lots of info on type of detergent, no softner and extra rince cycle but nothing on whether I should turn the clothes inside out as they're second hand. Although they've been washed I'm wondering whether they should be turned inside out for washing to remove anything lurking on the inside even though the other person who gave them to me has already washed them. Any advice would be most welcome, thanks

Ah, bless you. I remember the anxiety of those early days so well. Just wash them using a detergent that isn’t too highly perfumed and make sure they get a good rinse and it’ll be absolutely fine.

Washing machines wash the inside and outside at the same time.

I often turn clothes inside out to stop the outside getting worn. It won't do any harm.

If I was washing second hand baby clothes I would do a full wash (rather than quick wash) on 60 for robust cotton baby gros etc maybe a more gentle wash/40 degrees for more delicate stuff.

Tumble if you can so they dry quick and kill off any remaining germs.

Do it if it puts your mind at rest but it is entirely unnecessary.

Washing machines are relatively new inventions and baby's manage more or less fine in countries that still don't have them or at least I've never heard of any ill effects coming from clothes.

I have just washed 50 babygros donated for new GC. I did 40 degree wash and medium
tumble. All will be fine ! 😀

I'd just wash them in non bio, maybe chuck a bit of napisan in too.
Fairy non bio tabs make baby clothes smell so nice!

Just wash baby clothes as you would any other.

I turn inside out to protect the outside of the fabric from wear and tear.

I also use fabric softener.

Just wash as you do your own clothes but maybe go for fairy non bio or similar for everyone

no need for separate baby wash load !. When you get clothes covered in poo and vomit you can soak before with vanish or tiny bit Milton if white then chuck in.

Yeah, I'd only wash them if they were coming secondhand from someone I didn't know/trust for example, or if they smelled bad, or were visibly dirty. We got some secondhand from a relative and the clothes smelled very strongly like damp dog so needless to say I washed all of those first! But other ones from friends with no pet in the house seemed fine so I didn't bother.

It might depend on where the clothes are from and what condition they're in as to whether or not it's necessary... My SIL used to offload her old baby clothes onto me, and they were often unwashed/pooey/vomity so a very hot wash was definitely required.

if they look and smell clean just wash them in non-bio at 40, they'll be fine.
Anything that gets a lot of poo of vom on I used to treat like cloth nappies - cold rinse cycle then wash at 60 if they can take it, 40 otherwise. Anything with poo stains on just hang ont he line in the sun after washing to dry and they'll vanish, you don't need to bleach.

honestly, new things are more likely to need washing than second hand, second hand stuff you can tell if it's recently washed by sniffing it! most people wash, try and put straight into the get rid of bag! new stuff has often been pawed by countless people in the shop, taken home and tried on then left hanging about until someone gets around to returning it then put back on the rack.

that’s grim! Can’t believe your SIL gave you unwashed, soiled clothes for your baby!

I can confirm that SIL is indeed revolting!

I'd probably wash them at 60'C just in case of moths.

Wash normally and iron them

Yabu.

My sister in law used to also gift unwashed clothes. On one occasion she gave me something with poo stains in it. I either threw them away or gave them back to her as is with a telling off (via my husband).

I think if you're unhappy with the hygiene you should just return them and tell her why. It's not your job to wash her gifts to you.

@Gumbo I wouldn't have accepted soiled clothes, that's so grim after the first time I'd have rejected them and told her why.

I didn't really mean don't wash them at all, just that once was enough.

Of course.
Personally, I would never buy second hand clothes for my baby. Supermarkets have really cheap baby clothes.

You're right, that's what I should have done...but we were poor so I thought I should be grateful...

A very hot wash with soda crystals solves most things though!

It doesn't matter. If you DO want something to worry about though, take a look at the seal around your drum and also the detergent drawer, especially the top bit where the water comes out.

Those places get horrendously mouldy for some reason. Remember that white vinegar, not bleach, kills mould.

That's ridiculous. Most babies grow out of clothes before they wear out and what harm could putting your baby in clothes that have also been worn by someone else's baby cause?

If it occurred to me to wash them at all, I'd just wash them exactly the same as the baby's other clothes.

What?

Absolutely. I've only bought a handful of things new for my third baby... everything else has been handed down (either from her older brothers or from friends who had girls), or bought from Vinted. I'm also working my way through bags of clothes that were handed down to my older children by their cousins... after my baby girl has worn them, some of the clothes will have been worn by a minimum of 6 different children (7 in some cases as I've loaned to my youngest nephew)!

I've simply washed everything as "standard" before use, with no special treatment. My biggest issue, personally, is actually getting rid of the smell of "Other Peoples Laundry Detergent" so that they smell like "my" clothes, but there could be worse problems to have... 🤣

I also bought my pram from FB marketplace when I had my first and simply gave it a good wash before use (although it was in excellent used condition, so probably didn't need it)! Same for our playmat and jumperoo.

I've never had any issues with secondhand goods, including from strangers/charity shops. The only thing I'm bothered by is whether things come from a smoke free home and I always check for nicotine smells before going ahead and washing for my own use (but in 6 years, I've only ever had to give one item a swerve).