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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Do I have to wash all baby clothes

43 replies

SweetPea86 · 12/01/2014 13:57

Every thing is brand new do I have to wash it all or is it ok for baby to wear. First baby I'm clueless lol

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

OhCaptainDarling · 12/01/2014 14:06

My view is this: new doesn't mean clean!

Having worked in retail, I can tell you stock rooms are dirty, and lots of stock is dump on the floor. Also manufacturers put some funny chemical in the fabric.

So best to wash, non-bio washing detergent.

Quite nice to get everything washed and ready!

WeeTeaJenny · 12/01/2014 14:07

I took tags off and put baby straight into clothes .
Some hand knitted gifts however smelled off smoke ( elderly smoker relative ) so of course these were washed before first use
I think it just depends on yourself ? There will be plenty of washing to come so it can be nice to have things just ready to pop on...

TarkaTheOtter · 12/01/2014 14:07

I would, but I also wash my own stuff as I have had reactions to new clothes.

Starballbunny · 12/01/2014 14:09

I didn't.

SqutterNutBaush · 12/01/2014 14:11

I would.

My DS' eczema flares up if I put new stuff on him.

As mentioned above stock ends up on floors, can get caught in rain and think of the people who pick it up before you.

EssentialCoffee · 12/01/2014 14:23

Not something I've ever bothered with myself

HomeHypno · 12/01/2014 15:13

You have no idea if the stuff you bought has been a return or been on the shop floor so definitely wash everything before the baby wears it BUT leave tags on and keep receipts if you are unsure about whether stuff actually fits or not. From that point of view this may be a task you leave until the baby is born, apart from a few essential pieces of clothing.

Ragwort · 12/01/2014 15:28

I never did (and yes, worked in retail as well) - just wouldn't even cross my mind . Actually most of my baby's stuff was hand-me-downs, and I probably didn't wash them either .

mixi82 · 12/01/2014 15:37

I'm going to wash all of mine. Two reasons, firstly because I want my baby to be in fresh clothes that I know are definitely clean and secondly, because it's going to be a nice experience of preparing clothes and they'll smell nice too! This will be my first too :)

gamerchick · 12/01/2014 15:38

I never did.

But of a pain to wash something to find it didn't fit/wasn't the flavour you were expecting etc and couldn't return it.

CrispyFB · 12/01/2014 16:07

I did with my first two but couldn't be bothered with my third, did him no harm, and probably won't for this one!

chickydoo · 12/01/2014 16:11

I never did, 4 kids & too much washing anyway. I looked on it as being a bit OTT

Original poster

SweetPea86 · 12/01/2014 16:12

Thanks ladies, yes your right about things falling on floor etc in shops. I have some vests in packaging I think I will leave them but wash every thing else. Nothing better than the smell of fresh washing powder on your clothes I guess....oh part from new baby smell :)

OP posts:

SJBean · 12/01/2014 16:19

Just make sure you definitely need all the stuff as so many people buy you clothes when the baby arrives that you end up with loads. If you wash you can't take back if you need to. Maybe just wash the essential bits. I will always remember how weird but very lovely it was to have all the little baby things hanging out to dry while I was waiting for my first to arrive

Shellywelly1973 · 12/01/2014 16:41

I'm on dc6 but always wash new baby clothes.

I only wash what i absolutely need incase of returns.

clara26 · 12/01/2014 16:45

I also worked in retail so yeah I would. I don't wash clothes for me but I would for a baby.

Mmolly2013 · 12/01/2014 16:47

What about baby clothes in seal packaging are they ok to leave unwashed

HomeHypno · 12/01/2014 16:58

Well the packages are quite easy to open and re-seal so..... I keep thinking of the multi-packs of knickers etc you find in supermarkets thrown around on the floor with contents scattered.... I am pretty sure the retailers aren't good samaritans who throw all thise away.... Pretty sure they get re-folded and re-packaged and no-one is any wiser...

SqutterNutBaush · 12/01/2014 16:59

Mmolly there are a huge amount of chemicals on packaged clothing to stop it creasing, fading and to keep it soft.

Haahoooo · 12/01/2014 17:05

I washed, and am still washing, all DD's new clothes now at 16 months. Just re remove any chemicals or shop 'dirt'. Am interested to hear from fellow 'washers' at what age you stopped. It still feels like the right thing to do -DD likes to lick her clothes--...

ch1134 · 12/01/2014 17:15

surely it's completely your own choice? I love putting on new clothes before the first wash. A friend once told me how unhygienic and nasty this is, but I just thought she was over the top. I honestly don't believe a baby would catch anything or be harmed by brand new clothes. I'm just rewashing the second hand ones that have been stored for a while and smell a bit musty

rachyconks · 12/01/2014 17:18

Didn't with DD and definitely won't with this one. I have enough washing already!

Mmolly2013 · 12/01/2014 17:20

Ok I'll be washing all mine then, with non bio is it. Just don't wan to wash stuff then they don't fit baby so can't refund. :)

lanbro · 12/01/2014 17:29

I didn't with my two but maybe if you've got a family history of allergies it might be a good idea. Always wash second hand things though!

PotteringAlong · 12/01/2014 17:31

No. Life is too short to wash clean clothes. Shortly after they're born you will be debating how much sick is too much and if you can leave them in it anyway; you don't need to wash them before that!

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