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Parenting

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Original poster

Washing baby's clothes

16 replies

Paula30CWR · 15/01/2011 22:55

Hi,

I'm having my first baby at the end of Feb and I was told babys' clothes have to be washed before they wear them.

Can anyone suggest a good product/detergent that keeps the good quality of the clothes?

Thanks,

Paula

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homeboys · 15/01/2011 23:07

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starfishmummy · 15/01/2011 23:08

I'll second the good non bio (I used persil) to avoid any possible irritations.

dikkertjedap · 15/01/2011 23:11

and if your baby has sensitive skin (more than usual that is) you may need to wash clothes first with tiny bit of detergent and then again with just water . Our dd had very sensitive skin and we needed to do three runs in total (two just water) - takes a long time to complete a wash ! I have also heard that there are spiky balls you put in washing machine and then you don't need detergent, I have never tried them and don't know how it works, but maybe somebody else knows.

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aviatrix · 15/01/2011 23:12

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Seona1973 · 16/01/2011 08:32

I only used non-bio detergent for a few weeks and did use softner. I then switched to bio detergent and softner the same as I used for our own clothes. Neither of my lo's had any skin issues.

Original poster

Paula30CWR · 19/01/2011 12:47

Thank you all for the very useful information.

Did you wash them in the washing machine? I am a bit afraid that baby clothes will shrink or get affected as they are so delicate.

Any thoughts.

Pau x

OP posts:

lolalotta · 19/01/2011 12:58

I found everything shrank a little bit...but mind you I was drying her clothes on high in the tumble dryer just to get things dry quickly! Little babies grow out of things so quicky, we just bought inexpensive babygrows from the supermarket and then it didn't matter how much I shrank them/ she puked down them, lol! And they are so comfortable. Looking back I can't believe how much washing we did in those first few months what with her being sick and exploding nappies, the machine was on ALL the time! Mind you she was sick quite a bit, so maybe it was just my baby, lol. You will not have time for handwashing clothing once your baby arrives!!!

Seona1973 · 19/01/2011 13:17

yes I washed them in the machine. I didnt tumble dry though - they got hung on the clothes airer.

Original poster

Paula30CWR · 19/01/2011 13:18

Poor your baby!!!

I will wash some of the clothes then with time. But I won't put them on the tumble drier because I know it shrinks clothes. I rather put hang them in the kitchen, just as well, it's quite warm in there with the boilers.

Thanks a lot Lolalotta!

OP posts:

toddlerwrangler · 19/01/2011 13:19

Wilkinsons own brand non bio liquid tabs and sensitive conditioner are fantastic value and don't irritae Alf's sensitive skin at all :)

lurcherlover · 19/01/2011 13:24

If you get practical clothes - sleepsuits, bodysuits etc - they don't shrink that much (and it's all you want to put baby in at first - the little outfits look cute but are a nightmare to get a little baby in and out of). I tend to buy slightly better quality ones like M&S as I find they wash better. If I buy Tesco ones I only get a couple of washes out of them before they've gone too tatty. The tumble drier on delicate doesn't shrink them, and honestly, once baby is here you will be doing too much washing not to use it!

I use Persil non-bio and set the machine to do an extra rinse cycle. If I'm washing clothes with poo/sick on them, I add a couple of spoons of Napisan to the wash as well.

toddlerwrangler · 19/01/2011 13:26

Out of all the baby clothes Alf got through, Asda and Tesco babygrows and vests shrank by FAR the least.

To be honest they grow soooooo quickly in the beginning that they tend to be out of clothes before skrinkge is an issue anyway!

Original poster

Paula30CWR · 19/01/2011 13:32

I have a sample of Fairy non bio which I will use for the first baby suits.

The thing is that I was given so many cute suits by my friends and family when my mum organised a surprise shower, that I wouldn't liek to ruin them but well. I will wash them now and see what happens!!! After all I have to do it, don't I?

Thank you all!!

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PurpleCrazyHorse · 19/01/2011 20:54

Agree with non-bio (we've only just switched back to bio now DD is 17mo!). Will be watching her closely for any reaction.

TBH the small baby clothes will be outgrown before they get ruined in the wash , we had so many that most were only washed once (then unworn) or twice (worn once)!!

However, DD was so small when she was born that DH had to rush out to our 24/7 Asda to buy their tiny baby range and DD went straight into a babygro out of the packet . No harm done and DH did wash the others.

Morph2 · 19/01/2011 20:59

i have a baby wash setting on my machine that i use, think it gives an extra good rinse to make sure all the detergent is rinsed out. Line drying outside also makes them smell much nicer but not always practical this time of year

tigermummy35 · 19/01/2011 21:02

I washed everything (blankets, clothes, towels etc) before our DS was born because my own skin is so senstive to new clothes, but I know plenty of folks that don't wash them in advance.

Asda babygrows and vests wash lovely and dry well too - no shrinking here, plus the fabric is nice and soft. Next grows are a bit bigger all over, so if you/oh are tall, Next stuff is really good. They don't shrink and wash really well. We use fairy non-bio for LO and our own clothes - so we can wash it all together and use comfort pure for softness.

Good luck with the new arrival :)

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