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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Washing baby clothes

36 replies

Cnmorgan13 · 31/12/2015 08:30

Should I wash all the clothes/blankets etc I've got for the baby? If so, when? And what brands should I use. Currently I use bold 2&1, fairy fabric softener (I know!) and I generally throw in those bead things as well Should I be using non bio or bio?

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villainousbroodmare · 31/12/2015 08:37

I didn't wash anything new, and simply throw the baby's clothes in with ours, 40 degree wash with bio powder and no softener. Line dry. He's fair-skinned and has had no issues.
I think pre-washing of new clothing is unnecessary, but I'm sure lots of people will tell you to use baby-clothes detergent and non-bio etc.

Runningupthathill82 · 31/12/2015 08:45

I didn't wash anything new with my first child and I'm not bothering this time round either. Although I have washed the stuff I'm reusing of DSs that has been lingering in the loft for three years.
I wash everything together at 40c on a non bio wash. Doesn't matter which brand, usually use Lidl's own. No fabric softener.

goodnessgraciousgoudaoriginal · 31/12/2015 08:47

Just use any cleaner, but skip the fabric softener.

Non bio only exists in the UK!!

I did find it a massive faff, but I did decide to wash any clothes that would go directly onto the babies skin (like the all in ones). I didn't wash things like cardigans which would go on top of other stuff.

IndomitabIe · 31/12/2015 08:48

I saw a recent study that showed bio vs non-bio were no different in terms of skin reaction.

I read it somewhere reputable - but one study isn't good science and I can't remember where to share a link. So any non-bio is fine.

I don't think you have to wash new stuff, but I will (and the old stuff we've got stored away) so that they smell 'right' to me (weirdo, I know)!

Junosmum · 31/12/2015 08:52

I've washed everything, mainly as I don't like the smell of new stuff, smells really chemically to me. I used fairy without softner, but because I use it anyway as DH and I have reactions to many (but different) brands.

bittapitta · 31/12/2015 08:53

No point in washing as it will get dirty and changed (then washed) within a few hours for the first few weeks!

SkiptonLass2 · 31/12/2015 09:17

I'd wash it first.

You've no idea where it's been sitting in the manufacturing/distribution/retail process. As a student I worked s lot if retail and warehouses were filthy
Finishing processes can leave residues on fabric

I just put everything in in a cold setting on express wash, but I wash everything that comes into the house (toys, clothes etc. Hard surfaces get a quick wipe down with disinfectant,)

BurningGubbins · 31/12/2015 09:30

I didn't wash anything new either. Someone gave us a box of baby washing powder but once that was finished we chucked everything in together.
My son was in special care for a bit, having come early, and the nurses there told us not to bother with the pre-washing when we rushed out to buy tiny baby clothes because all the newborn stuff was huge on him.

oriG1Nal · 31/12/2015 10:22

I'm one the laziest people on Earth, but I always wash new clothes, especially those made in China/South Asia. The clothes are covered in chemicals you wouldn't want sprayed on to your skin. It's really not worth the risk.

Toxins Lurking in Your Clothing!
Toxic chemicals found in branded clothing

skankingpiglet · 31/12/2015 10:23

If you've got the time to do it I would as there is supposedly a chemical residue left on new clothes. That said, if you can't for whatever reason, I'm sure it won't be the end of the world. I did it for DD but she was a summer baby so it was washed and dried in no time, she's 18mo now and I don't bother.
We use non bio powder for white and lights and a colour powder for darks. The non bio is purely because DD is in cloth nappies and apparently it really does make a difference to the lifespan of the nappies. She has never had a reaction to either powder, despite most body washes and all bubble baths bringing out a bit of eczema.

toohardtothinkofaname · 31/12/2015 10:28

I washed everything but most were hand-downs anyway. A friend of mine said she wished she'd washed the clothes because all the new stuff left fluff all over baby and under his nails, not to mention the chemicals in the packaging!

Jibberjabberjooo · 31/12/2015 10:34

Yes I did and still do as they both have eczema. I always use non bio but now that study has come out saying there's no difference.

Joskar · 31/12/2015 10:43

The risk of what? What will happen if I don't pre-wash clothes? These "chemicals" are dangerous how?

oriG1Nal · 31/12/2015 10:58

You could try reading the links I provided. Or Google

Allergies, contact dermatitis...

goodnightdarthvader1 · 31/12/2015 11:15

I'm washing them (new and pre-loved) with non-bio and a "baby friendly" softener (if I didn't use softener, they'd come out like cardboard, high limescale area).

KP86 · 31/12/2015 11:43

Goodnessgracious, we don't have bio (as far as I know) in Australia. At least it isn't labelled as bio vs non-bio. All one type.

I did wash my baby's clothes, but after the initial bottle of baby detergent just used normal and in with our stuff or own load if there was enough. Only because it also went in the dryer so easy to transfer if all together.

Georgeofthejungle · 31/12/2015 12:55

Ive washed my hospital bag baby stuff in Fairy non bio, no softner and gave it a wee iron. I'll wash all my 0-3 the week before I'm due I think and leave washing the 3-6 for when it's needed.

Junosmum · 31/12/2015 14:26

Joskar - for me it's that I can smell the chemicals (and I don't like the smell) and if I can smell them then it stands to reason that they'd transfer on to the skin, and I don't want my baby smelling like that!

VegetablEsoup · 31/12/2015 14:35

yes, always wash new clothes. with the normal detergent you use anyway. maybe only a few packs if unsure of size.

most clothes are manufactured in warmer cheaper climes and treated with pesticides and fungicides (or they would arrive here full of holes and mouldy), plus you don't know how they are stored here before they get to you. warehouses are dirty places.

Missingcaffeine · 31/12/2015 14:44

I washed it all before baby arrived and regretted it as baby arrived early and all the warmer clothes didn't get worn as by the time the weather was cold enough our baby had grown out of them! Wish I'd waited until baby arrived as I could have changed things for bigger sizes if I'd kept the labels on. Also, I used bio shortly after baby was born (accidentally) and baby never reacted, so I continued with bio as it gets things cleaner in my opinion.

adagio · 31/12/2015 15:18

I was very smell sensitive post birth of dd1, so have bought surcare fragrance free for dd2 due in a month. Not washed anything yet though . As with lots of pp I am vaguely concerned about chemicals and nasties on vests/baby gros etc. This concern faded entirely by the time dd1 got to about 18 months though!
My first was small and remains quite small - we didn't move out of tiny baby clothes for the first couple of months so washing the 0-3 stuff was a complete waste of time and effort. this time I will be conservative and only wash the minimum to keep her dressed until I see how big she is and how fast she grows.

Artandco · 31/12/2015 15:24

I would wash before you put them on baby.

But maybe just wash a few newborn babygrows and then 0-3 months incase baby is bigger so you can return unwashed ones if too small

Nan0second · 31/12/2015 15:54

I didn't wash and I kept all the labels on. This was brilliant as she got a lot of gifts and Hand me downs and I was able to take stuff back that wasn't needed and swap it for larger sizes!

StellaAlpina · 31/12/2015 16:34

I'm going to wash everything in fairy non bio (as DH has excema so that's the only one we buy), I don't use farbic softener.

My washing machine has a 'baby cycle' which I'm wondering whether to use...in case it's like a sportwear cycle and washes everything super hot and ruins it.

Everythinggettingbigger · 31/12/2015 16:43

I'm a non washer as I love new out the packet! My son has eczema as do I, I've changed my soap powder numerous times and it doesn't make a difference to our skin. But I am curious as to why a lot of you are saying no fabric softener? Am I missing something?

I've washed everything that I will be reusing from DS in the normal stuff I always use.

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