Because your child’s daily activities bring a lot of stains and foul odor on his clothing, you will need to wash them very often. However, you also have to consider that your baby’s skin is still very sensitive and is likely to flake or get irritated when it comes into contact with harsh stimulants.

You may find it a challenge of washing your baby’s clothes without harming his skin. Fortunately, the process is very similar to washing regular clothes, with only a few more things to consider. More information can be found below.

How to Wash Baby Clothes

1. Procedures of Washing Baby Clothes

• Take notes for special items. Take notes of any special instructions on the clothing you are going to wash. These include washing temperatures and instructions for use on a washer.

• Separate the clothing in parts. Sort the clothing into small loads based on colour and washing temperature. Flame retardant garments, such as sleepwear, should also have their own pile as they have additional washing requirements that will keep their flame retardant properties. The same goes for cloth diapers, which should never be mixed with other clothes.

• Use safe products. Use products that are safe for sensitive skin to remove stains and dirt. These are available in sticks, soaks, and sprays. Look for a detergent brand that is baby-friendly and free from fragrances and chemicals. You can also make your own by mixing together half a cup of washing soda, half a cup of borax, and a cup of castile soap flakes. However, you cannot use this homemade blend to wash flame retardant clothes, as this will break down the fibers.

• Watch out for water temperature. If washing temperature is not indicated on a garment, it is best to wash it in warm water. Cloth diapers should be washed in hot water to thoroughly clean them, while flame retardants need cold or warm water to keep their special properties.

• Pay attention to each washing cycle. Make sure that each garment is submerged in water and the washer is not overly full before you run it through a normal cycle. Afterwards, run the garments through a second rinse cycle to ensure that they are free of all traces of soap. If you are using homemade detergent, add a tablespoon of white vinegar before you rinse.

2. Methods to Treat Stains

• Treat the stains as soon as possible. Try your best to treat any stains while they are still fresh so that the garments are as clean as possible before they are washed.

• Wash the oil with a prewash stain remover. Use a prewash stain remover to get rid of any baby oil that remains on the garments. Afterwards, wash them in the highest temperature setting possible.

• Use enzymes to get rid of protein stains. Soak protein stains from milk, spit, food, and feces in cool water with a product that contains enzymes. You can also wash them using an all-purpose stain remover.

• Remove urine with ammonia. To remove urine, combine a tablespoon of ammonia with a cup of water and use the resulting mixture to treat the stained area. Apply the mixture on a small, hidden area first to make sure that the color will not be removed. Then, use a stain-removal product and wash the garment normally.

• Try rubbing alcohol or white vinegar. Stains from fruits and vegetables can be removed by a simple rinse in cool water or a wash in equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. If the stains remain, try a prewash stain remover before washing the garment. A mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar may also help get rid of stubborn stains.

• Don’t use bleach. Be sure never to add bleach to a mixture that contains ammonia or vinegar, as this will create hazardous toxic fumes.

Watch this video and learn more tips about washing baby clothes:

5 Things to Consider Before Washing Baby Clothes

Things to Consider	Description
Choose a gentle detergent	Regular detergents contain chemicals that may cause irritations on your baby’s skin. Be sure to look for a detergent that is specially formulated for babies, or else choose one that contains no dyes or perfumes. As an extra precaution, run your baby’s garments through a second rinse cycle on the washer to get rid of any residual soap.
Avoid any chemicals or perfumes	Harsh soaps and perfumes can cause irritations and allergic reactions on your baby’s skin. To be sure that the detergent you are using is safe for your baby, check him for any rashes, irritations, or redness. Consult his doctor if you see something wrong and find another detergent you can use.
Dry baby clothes on a lower heat	Although using a dryer will most likely not shrink your baby’s clothes, you can try using the lowest heat setting to reduce the chances of this happening. This will also help keep the garments fresher and the colors more vibrant.
Don’t use dryer sheets and fabric softeners	Dryer sheets and fabric softeners can trigger allergic reactions and be hazardous to your baby. They can also remove the special chemicals that make up flame retardant fabrics. It is advisable that you do not use these products at all, as even using them on a separate pile of clothes can leave behind residue that may be transferred to your baby’s clothes.
Wash all the baby clothes before using them	Wash all clothes and beddings properly after purchase before you let your baby use them. This is to ensure that any chemicals and dyes left behind from the manufacturing process will be washed out.

More Tips on Washing Baby Clothes

• Be sure to always wash dirty cloth diapers separately from all other clothing items. Use only small amounts of baby-friendly detergent and let the diapers go for a second rinse cycle to ensure that they are free of dirt and soapy residue. Never use bleach or dryer sheets for any of your baby’s clothes.
• Keep your baby’s clothes away from the reach of your pets, as their hair or fur can cause irritation on your baby’s skin.
• When your baby grows older, you can start washing his clothes along with the rest of the laundry. You can also wash the entire family’s clothes in one go from the very beginning, as long as the detergent you use is safe and will not harm your baby.