to think that shops should know better than to sell hand-wash only clothes for babies

[nickymorris]

Granted that my MIL is slightly to blame here but.... she gave us the cutest knitted cardigan thing with matching mittens recently. DS (5.5mo) wore it and looked gorgeous until he posseted down it. At that point I looked at the label and had a small fit.

How can it be that a shop as allegedly sensible as Monsoon thinks its a good idea to produce hand-wash only clothes for babies. Don't they know that babies dribble/posset/smear puree over everything - and do they think I have nothing better to do with my time than hand-washing.

Obviously as the MIL gave it to me there is an expectation that she'll see DS wearing it so now I'm trapped and HAVE to hand-wash it. AGGGG.

ah my pet hate of all time. hand wash only clothes. Actually, they can go in the machine on the delicates programme.

At least your MIL brought Monsoon. My MIL only ever bought cheap nasty stuff and every single item of clothing she has ever brought us has run in the wash and ruined everything else.

I agree, it is ridiculous. My ds has a lovely knitted cardy from Monsoon that is hand wash only but I must admit I have never washed it! He is 17 months though so the posseting stopped a while a go

nicky - handwash it or put in the machine. Then keep it nice in a drawer until you next see mil. Wen you see her again dress ds in it but with a new bib on the top.

As others have said, try washing it on the wool/delicate cycle.

most washing machines have a hand wash cycle now dont they? An impractical present yes but thought that counts and all that.

My washing machine has a setting called hand wash so I'm not fussed

Y'all must have swankier washing machines than me - I have a wool setting but no handwash and suspect that if I washed it and ruined it MIL would take offence.

p.s. As she gave it to me she said she 'only bought it because it was reduced in the sale' which was sweet!

I've got quite an old machine so I stuff the items in a pillow case and wash like that!

nicky I have an antique washing machine as well. The wool cycle is fine. Or if you don't want to risk it, give it a swish in some soapy water, rinse it and then give it a quick spin on the spin cycle.

But seriously, save it then until your mil visits.

Can I suggest following The Man's Guide to Care Labels?

homepage.ntlworld.com/seanellis/b3ta/LaundryGuide.htm

At least it can be washed, be glad of that. I have come across clothing that says "no washing".

Now I think I read somewhere in last few days about the care labels being overly cautious because clothes are not so well made these days, so probably ok to put in washing machine. I stick everything in washer (even cashmere sweater - mine, not dc's!) - if in doubt use cold wool wash cycle!

But to answer your original question - yes they should know better.

Monsoon baby clothes aren't for actually wearing. You're just supposed to look at them and go: "Aaaah!"

pmsl stephla!!!

It wont take long; hand wash it, then put her in it only when she sees her Nan

I put my Monsoon stuff in the machine on Wool cycle 30 degress. Infact I washed 2 handwash casmere and lambswool cardigans smeered in food by my 2.4 year old and they are fine. I actually think the machine "handwash" cycles are less harsh than you pummelling it with your hands and then wringing them to get the water out.

I wish people bought my kids Monsoon stuff. Its only me that buys it in the sale or off ebay. I love it!

Excuse the 5 million typos in that! I'm tired!

Would like to add my 2.4 yo had got chocolate and ketchup on the 2 cardi's I washed today and that came out. I think baby sick should be easier to get out than that! I have put my newborns in handwash too. Its just too cute!

YANBU. Anything bought for DD which wasn't machine washable never got worn. There are better things to be doing that freffing around hand-washing clothes.