Are you a new or expectant mom? If so, it's safe to say that you will be taking care of the majority of your baby's laundry. Washing baby's laundry does require a bit more care than your own, and that of other members of the family.
Your parents, in-laws, and mommy friends have given you advice on every aspect of baby care, but what advice have you received on this particular subject? Certainly not nearly as much as you've heard about crib choices and parenting itself. Here are a few tips on washing your baby's laundry that will help you take a load off, relax, and give your baby's laundry the care it requires.
Myths about Washing Baby's Laundry
If you are similar to most new mothers, you are thinking about what you can use, or do, or not do when washing your baby's laundry. You may have been advised against mixing your laundry with the babies, however that is just a myth and it is certainly okay to mix. You are probably glad to hear you can do both tasks at once.
Mixing Laundry Successfully
There is an exception to combining baby's laundry with the rest of your households laundry. You should switch to a non-fragrant colorless laundry detergent, if you are not currently using one. You do not have to buy expensive laundry soap that is special for babies laundry unless your baby has experienced an allergic reaction to the regular detergent. You should not take the chance of having your infant developing a rash. Use a laundry soap that will not harm your baby's skin and one your family will enjoy as well.
What Not to Mix
There are a few items that should always be washed separately from baby's laundry. Any family member's clothing that is tainted by smoke, chemicals, minerals, or excessive dirt (for example, your construction worker husband's work wear) should never be washed with baby's laundry.
If you also use cloth diapers, make certain that you wash them apart from both the family's laundry and all your baby's other laundry. As well, you will want to keep away from bleaches, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets, these can reduce the life of baby's washables and even lessen the strength of the flame retardant chemicals on your baby's sleepwear.
Which Items to Wash
Washing your baby's laundry can be a huge task, probably larger than washing your own laundry and that of the rest of your family as well. You baby's laundry list:
* Articles of Clothing
* Towels
* Washcloths
* Bibs
* Burping clothes
* Crib sheets
* Receiving blankets
* All other bedding
* Stuffed animals
* Play pen pads and fabrics
* Car seat and stroller linings
* Your own Shirts
It is obvious to see that what ever comes into contact with your baby's skin must be washed with more attention. Always read tags on your baby's laundry for any specific care instructions and use the detergent that works best for you.
Kat Goodman has been providing Just Baby Nursery Bedding (www.just-baby-nursery-bedding.com) with quality articles for the past year. For more information on washing baby laundry and other baby related topics, the resource section provides useful information to new parents seeking advice in caring for their newborns.
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