Does everyone wash new baby clothes?

[yellowflowers]

I like the feeling of brand new unwashed clothes - won't the baby like that too? Surely if bought new no need to wash it?

I washed them for my PFB.

No such luck for my neglected second child

I think they maybe spray something on them to make them look nice in the shop?

I wouldn't have done with mine, but my DN got a rash from her new stuff that meant that they kept her in hospital until they figured out what it was. So I chucked them in the washing machine.

I didn't and therefore I can tell you that Little White Company and Gap are fine to not wash - H&M = rash :(

They may have been sitting in a dusty warehouse or storeroom. I washed the newborn stuff.

No I don't think the baby will appreciate the stiff feel of new clothes!

I always wash them first and still do now she's age 2

Who knows what sort of conditions they were made in! and they've no doubt been on storeroom floors etc. Grim.

yes - they fumigate fabrics/clothes with chemicals so they keep well in storage/don't smell/get fungus/go moldy.

All clothes/sheets/towels etc really should be washed before use.

DD got a nasty rash from some baby Gap socks that slipped through the prewash net

I wash them to make sure there are no chemical residues left from the manufacturing process.

You should wash new clothes for babies. I still do for my kids and they are 4 and 2.

I agree that you should wash the clothes. Its hardly that much effort to do it. "new" does not equal clean . They can be full of chemical residue from the manufacturing and dying process, or just dirt and dust from being made in a dirty factory and then shipping, and then fingered by all the passers by in the shop before you bought them.
The posters above whose DCs have got rashes from unwashed new things confirms that all new clothes should be washed. Not doing so is just plain lazy!

I wondered because surely also a risk they won't like the washing powder I use - risk of rash from that as high as risk of rash from manufacturing?

"Not doing so is just plain lazy!"

I would do it if either of my DD's had ever had an adverse reaction to brand new clothes but they haven't, so I don't.

If that's lazy in your book then so bet it.

Have just washed my newborn stuff this week as was worried about dirt from the shop and also chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Plus I hate the shop smell! But one of my good friends recently didn't wash anything at all and had no problems. Better safe than sorry though, I reckon . . .

Yes - you must wash them! I used to work for a major chain of clothes shops. The distribution centre often had outbreaks of fleas as well as the odd exotic spider/insect that was shipped in with the clothes.

I dont think there is really much comparison between a non-bio washing liquid and the chemicals they use to help new clothes keep their shape / stay fresh etc.

For new clothes I do wash first but dont use a full cap full of liquid (small and mighty non bio is great for DS and DH who both have sensitive skin). After all the clothes are not filthy with ground in dirth they just might have a chemical residue so a good wash with a bit of liquid and a proper rinse and you are good to go.

Also in those last weeks when it feels like you have be pregnant forever and nothing is fun or comfy anymore, seeing all your precious little outfits / onesies hanging up to dry is a bit nice

Although thinking about it I would have washed all of DD2's new clothes before she was born but everyone bought us pink stuff on the basis of the scan and I didn't want to wash in before she was born in case the scan was wrong.

Immediately after she was born recovering from a c-section and looking after a newborn, a toddler and a dog it wasn't high up my list of priorities. So yes, I guess I'm just plain lazy.

I wash all my dc's clothes before wearing even though they are 8, 6 and 4.

Try handwashing some 'new' clothes and see what comes out. Have geard horror stories from people who have seen the manufacturing process first hand and if they wash their clothes (which they do) there has to be a good reason for it.

Anything in packets stink as well, and baby noses are far more sensitive than ours.

Plus washing newborn stuff is good fun once the nesting instinct kicks in. I washed min ethree or four times for my pfb!

I also wash everything beforehand because the smell is disgusting and chemically, it can't be good.

Hi spiritmum!

I washed dd's clothes as pfb, didn't wash ds' as he arrived a little earlier than expected - although first clothes were from dd so they had been previously washed and put away.

starlight, love your reasoning - have to say some of that rubs off on me too.......

Hi, Bohemia

No I don't. 3rd child : she's lucky to be dressed at all.

I didn't with DD. I didn't even think about it. Had I read this thread at the time, I probably would have. She was fine though, no rashes or anything. Most of her stuff was from Matalan!

I do but give up after about 2ish. For the baby stuff I wash everythig in non-bio and it has always been fine. None of mine have had sensitive skin at all but I saw a program about where clothes are made and it was pretty gross. PFB got them ironed as well but no chance now on no 3. (I also ironed PFBs muslin cloths - I was mental!)