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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Washing Baby Clothes

17 replies

GeekGirl751 · 01/05/2018 12:33

I'm looking to get all of my little one's clothes washed before he arrives in a few weeks but I haven't got a clue what washing powder/detergent to use!

For our colours and darks I currently use:

  • Comfort scent boosters
  • Surf Tropical Lily liquid detergent
  • Comfort Intense Fuchsia Passion fabric conditioner
  • Dylon colour catcher sheet

For our whites I currently use:

  • Comfort scent boosters
  • Surf Tropical Lily liquid detergent
  • Comfort Intense Fuchsia Passion fabric conditioner
  • Napisan powder

I have done some research but have found conflicting views so I was just wondering what everyone else's experience has been? Some people say use bio, some say use non-bio, some say use fabric conditioner, some say don't! I would guess that he doesn't need scent boosters with his clothes but again, I haven't got a clue!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is all far too confusing!!

OP posts:
e1y1 · 01/05/2018 13:36

The bio/non bio thing is absolute baloney, the U.K. is the only country in the world where bio and non bio are sold alongside each other and non bio aimed as being for “sensitive” skin.

In other countries, non bio simply isn’t sold (in the few other countries it is, it is only one or two products and it is for wool and silk not sensitive skin); we have the good old British Press to thank for that.

However, what isn’t so much baloney is that detergent perfumes can cause reactions, especially on delicate skin like a baby’s, so would definitely look for something less scented, all the products you currently use are very highly scented, which is fine for mature skin, but maybe not for baby.

I would personally recommend Fairy washing powder, which ironically is non Bio, but I don’t buy it for that, it’s a good wash powder, has a gentle scent and genuinely does wash clothes softer, even if not using a seperate softener.

Yes would definitely not recommend the scent boosters for baby laundry.

There are a few softeners aimed at baby laundry, Fairy fabric softener or Comfort pure are the 2 main ones , They’re both nicely gently scented, and I also like Sainsbury’s “gentle” softener, but to be honest, softener isn’t really needed at all and you can use a standard one, like standard Comfort or Lenor, but maybe not the stronger scented ones.

mrsoutnumbered · 01/05/2018 16:29

When I had my 1st and 2nd everything was washed in Fairy non bio. With my 3rd I just carried on using whatever was on the go at the time - I think Just Aldi bio liquid and softener.

JessieMcJessie · 01/05/2018 16:35

I didn’t wash any brand new stuff before it was first worn, only found out later that was a thing. His lovely soft skin survived with absolutely no ill effects. (This was 18 months ago, so not the “olden days” in terms of clothes manufacturing processes).

Zampa · 01/05/2018 16:38

I use "normal" laundry products and even used a free sample of Lenor Unstoppables last week to no ill effects. Baby still has smooth rash free skin and we've never had any issues.

Pebblespony · 01/05/2018 16:41

Fairy non bio here too. Very often on offer so I stock up. I didn't wash anything before wearing either. No reaction to clothes.

mommybear1 · 01/05/2018 17:52

Fairy vote here as well smells lovely- now baby is here also added in napisan for the pee/poo/sick!

RockinRobinTweets · 01/05/2018 17:56

I just used supermarket non bio. Fine for the first wash of clothes that aren’t actually dirty.

I had a baby with exploding poo and needed Ariel powder to do the job last time, fairly didn’t do the job

user1499786242 · 01/05/2018 18:03

I ADORE the smell of fairy non bio!
But for some reason it leaves my washing machine smelly whereas other powders, even non bio ones don't
So I use Tesco non bio powder and fairy non bio fabric softener and the clothes smell beautiful and my machine stays fresh!!

Ooh I love baby clothes 😍😍

coffeeforone · 01/05/2018 18:15

I use Persil non bio liquid and normal comfort. I have just use this for everything since DS was born and it seems to get 99% of stains out.

When he was newborn I didn’t buy (and wash in advance) enough of the newborn size. (Had loads of ‘up to 1 month’ but they swamped him at 6lb 11oz)

So bought more newborn and he wore them straight from the packet without washing!

EcoCleaner · 01/05/2018 18:33

Please, don’t use anything heavily perfumed on baby clothes. Whatever you use, make sure it’s very lightly scented or even scent free - Sainsbury’s have started stocking Neutral which is biological but completely scent, dye and optical brightener free which are known irritants. Avoid Surf, Bold and any heavily scented softeners. I would ditch softeners completely as they’re completely unnecessary. If you don’t use them you don’t actually need them as the detergent just ends up washing out the residue it leaves behind which is what makes things feel rough. I haven’t used them in years, but if you really do want to use them then go for something without much scent like Comfort Pure or Fairy and make sure you use half the recommended dose.
Another top tip - when washing baby clothes, avoid using quick wash and use the extra rinse function on your machine. Quick wash nearly always skips a rinse and doesn’t spin after the main wash fully so it tends to leave a lot of residue behind which is one thing to avoid

EcoCleaner · 01/05/2018 18:35

Also, powders are a lot better than liquids at both washing and rinsing out. They’re also better value and because they contain a built in oxygen based bleaching agent, you can ditch the Napisan

crunchtime · 01/05/2018 18:36

fairy non bio

Mymouthgetsmeintrouble · 01/05/2018 18:39

Just a basic low scent powder i use an eco egg as funnily enough its me that has the sensitive skin in my house all my babies have been ok with any laundry products

GeekGirl751 · 02/05/2018 09:58

Thank you for all the advice everyone!! I think I will give Fairy non-bio a try and if a softener is needed, it sounds like comfort pure is a good option.

I will be washing all of his clothes separately to ours and will definitely give them an extra rinse! I must admit I often use the quick wash function on our washing machine but I will skip that step for baby as I want to make sure everything is rinsed properly, so thank you for that tip too!

I will be off out to the shops later to pick up some new washing powder and softener for the little man!

OP posts:
UsernameTaken2 · 02/05/2018 10:20

I use fairy non bio and fairy fabric softener on my sons stuff and wash it all completely separate to ours as I love the smell and want it reserved just for him. I don't use any type of disinfecting rinse type stuff in my washing machine as I honestly think it's a waste of money. I wash my towels and bedding on a 60 and this seems to keep my machine clean and in my opinion germ free

Hatewaybuloo · 02/05/2018 10:25

I wouldn’t use something heavily perfumed. Ecover powder cleans really well and has a really clean subtle smell

billybigballs · 02/05/2018 11:20

I use fairy non bio, no fabric softener as I just don't think it's necessary especially for baby clothes.

I do like to use a bit of the sensitive dettol laundry cleanser which has a slightly 'fresh' scent. This stuff is good especially if clothes have poo, sick etc on them.

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