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Original poster

Is washing muslin cloths essential or OTT?

20 replies

StormInaCCup · 04/03/2011 17:36

I am 26 weeks today and preparing for my little boy's arrival by washing all of his clothes and putting them away in the nursery. Just wondered if I really have to wash all of the muslin cloths we have bought as well? I figure its probably not essential as they won't be 'worn' and therefore won't be next to the skin. Happy to be told otherwise though.

Thanks.

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starfishmummy · 04/03/2011 17:43

I washed ours. They are a bit stiff and full of dressing when you get them so will feel nicer washed. Also you will probably end up using them for cleaning up baby - wiping face etc so they will.come into contact with skin.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 04/03/2011 17:44

They'll be more absorbent if you wash them a couple of times without fabric softener - better for mopping up spills/milk/puke :)

tebbles · 04/03/2011 17:44

I would wash them. They are stored and transported with chemical pesticides.

ongakgak · 04/03/2011 17:46

Yes to washing them here too, best to get that plasticy smell off them and they will be extra soft.

Original poster
StormInaCCup · 04/03/2011 17:48

Just opened the pack and you're right, they do smell a bit chemically and are v.stiff. Not very pleasant, although I hope they'll be better after a wash. Wasn't sure if I was being PFB wanting to do them or not.

Thanks for the advice Smile

OP posts:
JoyceBarnaby · 04/03/2011 17:49

I washed mine - I don't know about chemicals or anything like that, but it did make them lovely & soft for my pooey sweet little baby!!

JarethTheGoblinKing · 04/03/2011 17:56

do it on a sunny day and get them all out on the line..

then try not to get just a little bit weepy Grin

Original poster
StormInaCCup · 04/03/2011 18:09

I know Jareth - at the risk of sounding like a total loon, I go into the nursery about once a day and just... stand there. I have also been known to open the drawers and cry over the tiny little socks and babygrows Blush

In my defence, I am pregnant with a truly miracle baby (aren't they all!) who is coming to us after a horrible couple of years where I have had cervical cancer, IVF and lots of scary bleeds in pregnancy. I will be very relieved when he is in my arms safe and sound. Smile

OP posts:
ChippingInMistressSteamMop · 04/03/2011 18:14

storminateacup - congratulations :) It's especially lovely news on the back of what you've been though x

Wait until spring is here and you can get them all out on the line for a lovely blow around in the fresh air :)

ongakgak · 04/03/2011 18:22

OMG- I used to do that. And pack and re-pack my hospital bag so I could get out all the tiny outfits that baby would come home in. Lush. Enjoy it.

Original poster
StormInaCCup · 04/03/2011 18:44

Yes, I will hang them on the line. Like the idea of them all being fresh from the outdoors!

I am quite sad now that I have washed all his little clothes and put them away - I feel like I probably should have done it bit by bit to eke out as much enjoyment as I could.

I could always wash them again if I do much more crying into the drawers... Grin

OP posts:
JarethTheGoblinKing · 04/03/2011 19:20

Ahh.. the novelty of doing baby laundry for the fun of it Grin

I have to admit though, I did wash things a couple of times on lovely sunny days, just to get them smelling all lovely and have lots of little babygros lined up in the sun. Don't forget, there's bedding, blankets, grobags and PFB teddies to wash and dry as well, plenty to keep you going :)

midori1999 · 04/03/2011 19:26

I've never eeven washed any of my baby clothes prior to baby wearing them. Grin All managed to survive though.

I would probably wash something that was stiff/felt funny though.

theborrower · 04/03/2011 21:35

I washed all the baby stuff we were given, including the scratch mitts!, then wished we hadn't once DD arrived. We used one pair of mitts once, and because we had opened the packs we couldn't return any to the shops. Same goes for all the sleepsuits we were given - DD was absoluetly tiny when we she was born and was in early baby size stuff, which meant we had to go out and buy more - I wish we had been able to swap some sizes over instead.

theborrower · 04/03/2011 21:36

Oh, but I would wash muslin clothes - they don't seem to be very absorbent when they're straight out the packet! and you'll definitely need millions of those...

FattyArbuckel · 04/03/2011 21:44

My best friend gave me loads of these as "essential, can't have too many". I never used one of them as dd wasn't a sicky baby!

theborrower · 04/03/2011 22:00

I've found them essential and DD isn't what I'd call a sicky baby either. We used them at the start for covering the sheets in the moses basket/cot when she possetted when she was little, but since then they've bene used as sunshades, covering up when latching on, under the bib when FFing as she likes to swing her head to come off and so dribbling everywhere, mopping up spills, covering the changing mat, covering her clothes when she's in her highchair and drops food all over herself...couldn't do without them! :)

bonkers20 · 04/03/2011 22:06

I can't bloomin' remember what I did, but in the spirit of the thread I'll say that yes, of course you MUST wash them :-)

Ikea do some funky more heavy duty ones BTW.

Allatsea1 · 04/03/2011 22:16

Just washed mine today! Ahh the tiny baby grows too - so cute.

StealthPolarBear · 04/03/2011 22:18

ahh what a lovely story OP
Yes, wash them then you can marvel at just how quickly they dry - 10 mins on the radiator/line is all they need!

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