Wondering how to wash your newborn baby’s clothes?
There’s so much to think about when it comes to caring for your little one – if only they came with a manual!
Poop, spit-up, milk and food are just some of the stains you’ll be dealing with in the first year with your baby.
However washing your baby’s clothes is actually pretty straightforward and not something you need to overthink.
You don’t have to separate your baby’s clothes from your clothes. You don’t have to buy multiple laundry detergents. You can probably use the family laundry detergent you always have done.
The only exception is if they have particularly sensitive skin in which case you just need to switch to a laundry detergent specifically catering for this.
With my first baby I didn’t have to worry about her reacting to the laundry detergent, although I did add a little Napisan to the detergent to ensure we got tough stains, such as poop, out of the clothing.
However my second baby had eczema that was extremely persistent no matter what we tried to ease it – I’m happy to report that a few years down the line and she has simply grown out of it.
Changing to a fragrance-free sensitive skin laundry detergent was one of the most important things we did.
If you are worried your baby is having a reaction to your laundry detergent or fabric softener, try switching to a different product and/or dropping fabric softener altogether, and see if that makes a difference.
In this article I’m going to share exactly how to wash your baby’s clothes, the best laundry detergents to use and some extra tips for washing reusable nappies.
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How to wash newborn baby clothes
- Gather your dirty baby clothes together. You do not have to separate your baby’s clothes from everyone else’s garments. They can be washed in the same load – this is what I always did. However you may want to separate them if a member of the family works with chemicals in their job, or your baby needs specific laundry detergent that you don’t want to use on the rest of the family clothing.
- Always check the label for care instructions. Most baby clothes can be washed at 30C to 40C, but you should check the label just in case. Some baby clothes are hand wash only – typically the pretty, frilly kind they may only wear occasionally. As a general rule I recommend buying easy care baby clothes, as they get dirty so easily.
- Add your laundry detergent. Pick a non-bio liquid detergent. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital advises that a liquid can rinse from clothing easier than powder detergents.
- Add a scoop of stain remover. You could use Napisan (this is what I always used with my baby clothes) or Vanish. You may not need to add stain remover in every wash, but it does help for clothes that have poop stains or certain food marks on them. You can also get rid of stains by pre-treating the clothes. Simply dab a little laundry detergent on the stained area and rub it in gently before washing.
- Add fabric softener. The NHS states there is no evidence this will irritate baby’s skin.
- Wash at 30C. For heavy stains you may need to wash clothes at a higher temperature, but check the care instructions first to ensure you won’t ruin the items.
- Dry on a clothes line or tumble dryer. Remember to check the care label to ensure the baby clothes can cope with being tumble dried. Drying on a laundry line outside is better for the environment AND the sun can help to remove stains!
- Fold and put away. As baby clothes are so tiny, hanging them in a wardrobe may not be very space effective. I recommend folding with the Kon Mari method, which keeps things neat and easy to see in a drawer. The idea behind it is that clothes are stored in a row, not on top of each other, so that you can see everything and access it easier.
PRO TIP: If your baby has sensitive skin then using detergent specifically for baby clothes will be best. There’s no reason why you can’t wash all of the family laundry with the same product).
Do you have to wash brand new baby clothes?
Some experts do advise you to wash new baby clothes to ensure any chemicals or dust from the manufacturing and postage are gone. This way they will not irritate your newborn’s sensitive skin.
The NHS does not specifically advise you to wash baby clothes before use in its literature for new parents.
However The American Academy of Paediatrics does recommend washing all baby clothes prior to use – apart from outerwear such as coats that won’t have direct contact with large parts of the skin.
I’ll be honest, I never washed any of my babies’ new clothes.
If you have had to purchase new baby clothes in an emergency – because you’re away or out for the day and had no spares – do not panic if you have to dress your baby in a brand new outfit without washing it first.
This is advisory – but not a hard and fast rule you have to follow.
When washing baby clothes for the first time you can use a non-bio detergent and simply follow the instructions on the care label – typically a 30C to 40C wash.
You may also like: How many newborn baby clothes do I need?
Guide to the different types of baby clothes
What laundry detergent should you use to wash baby clothes
A liquid non-bio laundry detergent is best for washing baby clothes.
On the type of laundry detergent you should use for washing baby clothes, the NHS says:
“There’s no evidence that using washing powders with enzymes (bio powders) or fabric conditioners will irritate your baby’s skin.”
However some babies do have particularly sensitive skin and so you may want to get a laundry detergent either specifically aimed at children’s clothes or one that’s best for eczema and sensitive skin.
Should cloth nappies be washed separately to baby clothes?
Yes you can wash cloth nappies with other clothes.
However you’re typically advised not to use fabric softener with reusable nappies, and some experts say it’s best to use a washing powder on nappies. This is because over time the liquid wash can decrease absorbency.
In addition you may want to wash cloth nappies at a higher temperature than other clothes – as much as 60C.
There are specific products on the market to wash cloth nappies, such as Bambino Mio Miofresh Baby Laundry Cleanser. This is a powder specifically for nappies.
The Nappy Gurus has an excellent guide to washing cloth diapers here.
Getting rid of stains
I always found breast milk and formula milk – probably the most common stains on my baby’s clothes – came out of the clothes without any specific treatment.
However poop can be a little more tricky! The best bet is to soak the item immediately in a little laundry detergent to pre-treat it. Then wash in the machine on your usual cycle.
You can also pre-treat poop stained clothes with a little squeeze of lemon juice, left on the stain for 30 minutes before washing, or your usual clothing stain remover spray. Then go ahead and wash with your normal detergent you use for baby clothes.
Best laundry detergent for baby clothes
The key features you want in a laundry detergent for baby clothes will be that it is gentle on your baby’s skin and is strong enough to get out stubborn stains.
If you are ever unsure about a brand you may not have heard of, check reviews online and in forums and look for the British Skin Foundation logo. This will tell you that the charity has reviewed the product to ensure it is not detrimental to the skin.
Persil Non-Bio
Persil recommends its non-bio wash over the bio as it is free from enzymes that can be common allergens and trigger a reaction.
Fairy Non-Bio
You could use the washing liquid that comes in a bottle or the pods. I love that the pods now come in a cardboard box container, so it is far easier to recycle.
Nimble Laundry Lover
This product is made specifically for babies and for those with sensitive skin.
Bollicine
Bollicine is a non-biological laundry liquid containing vegetable based surfactants which make it ideal for babies. This can be used as a hand wash or in the washing machine.
Ecover Zero
This product’s formula features plant-based ingredients and has 0% fragrance and enzymes, which minimises the risk of allergies on sensitive skin.
Final thoughts on washing baby clothes
As you can see washing your baby’s clothes is much the same as the rest of the family.
Follow the instructions on the label and switch to a specific sensitive skin product if there are any issues.
If you are looking for other tips for getting ready for your baby then check out the complete final trimester checklist.
