Wash before use?

[Stefka]

I have been washing clothes but I have a fleece blanket, a coverlet and a cot bumper which I am thinking won't be used at the start anyway. Do I need to wash those too?

[barbamama]

I've washed everything I can for ds2's arrival so I don't need to worry about it but I'm sure it probably isn't really necessary. I've only done the newborn and 0-3 months clothes then probably won't bother for ds1's bigger clothes that have been in storage. I think I used to wash newly bough things until he was about 10 moonths or so. I am a bit of a hygeine freeak and worry about dust, allergies, excema etc but I'm sure it really isn;t critical and you probably can overdo it. It has made me feel better and prepared though!

[Stefka]

I might as well do it while I have a sunny day. I don't want to wash them because they are so soft but I reminded myself that they are for the baby not me. Also the more stuff I get done the calmer I am going to feel!

[lljkk]

I never washed anything (2nd hand or brand new) before my babies got to use it, unless it was obviously dirty. No skin problems, no allergies, no illnesses -- not sure what this washing mania is about.

[MuffinMclay]

I never washed anything either.

[Stefka]

I dunno what it is about - it said on the packet of the bedding to wash everything before use. I am guessing something to do with possible chemicals - who knows - I just do what I am told!

[Bubbaloo]

I also never washed new clothes with either of mine.Can't see the point in making more work for yourself.

[spanna07]

I wash everything! My sister works in Quality Assurance for children's clothing sold in the UK and visits the factories in China/ Turkey and India, and she tells me to wash EVERYTHING!!

[barbamama]

Stefka - do the fleecy stuff on a 30o wool wash and they should stay soft - and tumble dry them on low heat if you can to bring them up really nicely.

One half of my brain appreciates that this type of behaviour is a bit obsessive and probably unecessary - just can't help myself though - just makes you feel like you are getting everything prepared for your newborn. It does create a lot of work though! I threw everything in the wash and then spent a full week of my mat leave ironing. I think I will stop at newborn and 0-3 this time.

[dal21]

Stefka - I have everything washed now, but then i wash clothes i have bought from shops before wearing them - but thats just me!

[3madboys]

i always wash new clothes before wearing them, did it with all the baby stuff and still do it now, the boys are 8,5 and 2. new baby due next year and i wont have to buy much stuff as its all in suitcase in the loft, i will wash it all before use again tho.

my mil thinks its wrong to wash new clothes before wearing them, but i have read that due to chemicals used in the bleaching process of cotton etc it really is better to wash them first, esp for babies and children

[derah]

I'd wash everything. With new stuff, there will be residual chemicals from the dying, packaging etc (plus you never know what hygiene conditions in factories are like) and with second hand, you never know how long they might have been in a dusty attic gathering fluff/dust mites/other bugs. Plus I got such a buzz looking at all the tiny baby clothes drying on the line before DD arrived - made it more real and exciting somehow.

[Stefka]

Wow barbamama - you iron all the clothes? I was not going to bother with that - you put me to shame!

[BetsyBoop]

I always wash my own new clothes before use, as some of the finishing chemicals used in the manufacturing process can trigger my ezcema

For that reason I washed EVERYTHING that could come into contact with DD's skin (she started with ezcema at 4wks - but then DH has ezcema too, so she didn't stand much chance at avoiding it...) This included hand-me-downs from friends, because I'd no idea what washing powder they'd used (neither DH or I can tolerate Persil products for some reason, so we have to be careful) even though they were perfectly clean.

so if there is any history of allergies in your family I'd say wash everything.

That said, I rarely iron ANYTHING, particularly not baby clothes

[PurpleLostPrincess]

I've washed everything used/passed on but just unwrapped all the brand new stuff...

I was wondering about ironing though - this is my third but I've got such a big age gap I can't remember if I ironed everything before or not!? I've got SPD and all sorts of problems so I can't bear the idea of ironing anything - might just do what I have to...

[barbamama]

Don't worry, the ironing thing will wear off - I just like to get them all looking nice for the birth and first few days, I'm sure it won't last long.

Having said that, last time I ironed all ds1's muslin cloths for the first 6 months until I realised how insane this was and that I could be relaxing with a cup of tea watching TV while he was asleep not bloody ironing!!!

Also, all our stuff goes to the ironing lady so I only had to iron the baby stuff (but it did take a bloody long time!)

[LackingNicknameInspiration]

I've washed everything but that's because new stuff brings me out in a rash if I don't (particularly bedding). Don't know that I'd bother otherwise but I think it's somewhat inevitable that eczema is going to get passed on somewhere so best to tackle asap....

[cupcake78]

I have also washed everything and ironed most of it. Yes it was hard work but for some reason I just needed to do it.