{"id":21714,"date":"2023-03-22T21:13:34","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T21:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/?p=21714"},"modified":"2024-08-05T17:59:40","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T17:59:40","slug":"how-to-wash-baby-clothes-a-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/live-cleaner\/how-to-wash-baby-clothes-a-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Wash Baby Clothes: A Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many things we look forward to while preparing to welcome a new baby into our lives. But what we probably <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">don\u2019t<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> daydream about is spending hours on our little one\u2019s laundry\u2014nor how often they\u2019ll need a change of clothes in the first place. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> many changes of clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luckily, we have some helpful tips that can make learning how to wash baby clothes a breeze\u2014and turn that complicated washing process into something that\u2019s second nature.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>What&#8217;s the Best Way to Wash Newborn Clothes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their tiny nose is a mini version of yours, they have their grandmother\u2019s eyes, and you could swear you just saw the same facial expression your partner makes. In other words, your baby is a living, breathing replica of you\u2014so why would their clothes be any different?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you might be looking for tips on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/live-cleaner\/how-to-clean-baby-toys-6-eco-conscious-tips\/\">clean baby bottles<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/live-cleaner\/how-to-clean-baby-toys-6-eco-conscious-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to clean baby toys<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you might also be looking for tips on cleaning baby clothing. As it turns out, throwing those adorable onesies and mini pairs of denim into the wash with your own clothes may not be the best idea. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And no, it\u2019s not <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">just<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because your favorite blouse could get caught in the crossfire of a baby blowout.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-opt-id=950617918  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-25111\" src=\"https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:400\/h:267\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ECOS_1407_tiny.jpg\" alt=\"Dad holding up onesie with mom and baby in background with ECOS laundry sheets\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:400\/h:267\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ECOS_1407_tiny-scaled.jpg 400w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1600\/h:1068\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ECOS_1407_tiny-scaled.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:768\/h:513\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ECOS_1407_tiny-scaled.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1536\/h:1025\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ECOS_1407_tiny-scaled.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1618\/h:1080\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ECOS_1407_tiny-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:18\/h:12\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ECOS_1407_tiny-scaled.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To properly wash your baby\u2019s clothes, you should:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Choose a milder detergent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013\u00a0Babies have sensitive skin, so it\u2019s extremely important\u00a0 to steer clear of detergents that use strong scents and harsh ingredients. Instead, choose a soft but effective detergent like our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/laundry\/hypoallergenic-laundry-detergent-free-clear\/\">ECOS Hypoallergenic Detergent<\/a>. Our formula is free of harsh chemicals, making it for your baby\u2019s gentle skin. <\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Try to not use unnecessary products<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Super-scented detergents and fabric softeners could cause an allergic reaction or make your baby\u2019s skin prone to rashes. It\u2019s best to stay away from softeners since they could bind to your baby\u2019s clothes and cause irritation to their skin.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Look at labels<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u2013 One way your baby\u2019s clothes are similar to your own? The little tags in them contain loads of useful information\u2014such as whether your little one\u2019s clothes should go on a delicate spin cycle or be line-dried. Care labels can also tell you how to sort your baby\u2019s clothes to ensure brights stay bright and whites stay white. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While doing your baby\u2019s laundry is definitely different from doing your own, it\u2019s not a completely foreign process. Follow the above tips, lean into your parental intuition, and you\u2019ll do just fine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why Take Extra Care With Baby Clothes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve covered how to wash newborn clothes, but why is it necessary to spend the extra effort and time to wash your baby\u2019s clothes separately?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it would be easier to do all your laundry in one go, it\u2019s worth it to wash your baby\u2019s clothes properly. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and a baby&#8217;s skin is especially delicate. It can absorb the toxins and irritating chemicals present in more conventional detergents, causing negative health effects down the line, including anything from minor irritation to potentially serious long-term conditions such as dermatitis and asthma. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That makes properly washing your bundle of joy\u2019s clothes more than just a (seemingly never-ending) chore but an important investment in their overall health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-opt-id=1813154910  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24971\" src=\"https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:400\/h:267\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ECOS_JAEGER_557_tiny.jpg\" alt=\"Moms and baby with laundry detergent bottle\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:400\/h:267\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ECOS_JAEGER_557_tiny-scaled.jpg 400w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1600\/h:1067\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ECOS_JAEGER_557_tiny-scaled.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:768\/h:512\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ECOS_JAEGER_557_tiny-scaled.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1536\/h:1024\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ECOS_JAEGER_557_tiny-scaled.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1620\/h:1080\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ECOS_JAEGER_557_tiny-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:18\/h:12\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ECOS_JAEGER_557_tiny-scaled.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Don&#8217;t Forget To Pre-Wash New Clothes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know what you might be thinking: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, you\u2019re telling me to make clean clothes even cleaner?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not exactly. We\u2019re certainly not trying to make more work for you, but some of those new-to-you clothes might not always be as clean as you think. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-washing involves washing your baby\u2019s new clothes <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they wear them to eliminate any potential toxins or germs that might be clinging to the fabric.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why it\u2019s worth taking a couple of extra hours to pre-wash:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Right before you deliver<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Right after your baby is born, you\u2019re going to have bigger things on your plate than washing clothes. But just because you may not have time to clean them doesn\u2019t mean your baby won\u2019t need lots of onesies. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, it&#8217;s a smart idea to pre-wash several weeks&#8217; worth of clothes before your baby arrives to have them available when you need them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>If you plan to use secondhand clothes <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 While your cousin\u2019s gift of hand-me-downs is adorable and thoughtful (not to mention helpful for your budget), you\u2019ll need to clean those clothes before you can use them. You can\u2019t be sure second-hand baby clothes are clean, meaning it\u2019s best to err on the side of caution and wash them first.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>After buying them <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though you might assume store-bought clothes are cleaner than second-hand ones, that\u2019s not the case. Clothes you purchase from the store are equally capable of needing a wash, since they might contain toxins from manufacturing or have been exposed to various pests during their time in storage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s generally a good rule of thumb to pre-wash any new clothes, no matter where they come from. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-opt-id=150579769  decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24870\" src=\"https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:640\/h:427\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Using-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent.jpg\" alt=\"Using Liquid Laundry Detergent\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:640\/h:427\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Using-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent.jpg 640w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1024\/h:684\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Using-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:768\/h:513\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Using-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1536\/h:1025\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Using-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:18\/h:12\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Using-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent.jpg 18w, https:\/\/mlcvmo0gntjk.i.optimole.com\/cb:ICH-.67306\/w:1600\/h:1068\/q:90\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Using-Liquid-Laundry-Detergent.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Pro Tips for Proper Machine-Washing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve managed to literally create a new life and are now responsible for raising a tiny (and so-far helpless) human being. Pressing a button on your washing machine should be no big deal, right? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve been washing your own clothes for a while now, so you\u2019ve pretty much got it all down to a science. But now that there\u2019s a baby in the picture, you might need to consider adding a few more tricks to your tried-and-true routine. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since we know you\u2019re probably a little busy with all the baby care, we\u2019ve already thought of them for you. To machine-wash your infant\u2019s clothes like a seasoned pro:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Consider using a mesh bag for small items <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Garment bags can cover more bases than simply protecting your favorite delicates. Keep itty-bitty socks and caps together in one place by dropping them into a mesh bag before pressing \u201cStart.\u201d <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Don&#8217;t overfill your washing machine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Even if those little clothes create huge mountains by the end of the week, it won\u2019t necessarily help to stuff them all in the washer at once. Overloading your machine may make it harder for soiled clothes to come out clean. Plus, the added stress on the machine itself could result in an even bigger problem down the line.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use a slower spin speed <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow and steady could be the best approach when washing baby clothes. Just think of how tangled your hair got when your toddler thought it\u2019d be fun to send the propeller of their toy airplane into the back of your head. Using a slower spin speed could help keep your baby\u2019s clothes from getting just as wound up in knots. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wash in cold water <\/b>\u2013 <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washing baby clothes in cold water will help preserve them longer. Cold washes will keep the colors of the clothes intact, use less energy, and are better overall for the environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might find these tips also make your life easier when it comes to that other baby laundry task we haven\u2019t yet mentioned\u2014all the tiny folding. Anything you can do to prevent tangles and undue wrinkles is something you\u2019ll thank yourself for later.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Offer Your Baby the Best with ECOS<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a new parent, it can sometimes feel that every decision you need to make is absolutely critical. Peas or carrots? Pink or blue? Maisie or Michelle? Of course, options are nice to have, but ultimately they add to the list of choices you\u2019ll need to make.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take one of those decisions off your plate by trusting ECOS. Our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/laundry\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plant-powered<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> laundry detergent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is irritant-free for your little one\u2019s skin, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions and giving you more peace of mind. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also delivers the effective clean you need, powering through heavy-duty stains while still being soft on the skin. Learn more about our complete line of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/epa-safer-choice-products\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">safer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cleaning products<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to keep your home safe and healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are many things we look forward to while preparing to welcome a new baby into our lives. But what we probably don\u2019t daydream about is spending hours on our little one\u2019s laundry\u2014nor how often they\u2019ll need a change of clothes in the first place. So many changes of clothes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":25108,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[526],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-baby"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21714"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25112,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21714\/revisions\/25112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecos.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}