In addition to the little hugs and kisses, parenting can feel a lot more like a never-ending cycle of clearing loads and loads of laundry every day. I mean, babies are all cute and cuddly but also messy. You are lucky if your little one goes through only two outfits daily. Some survive only after eight or so outfit changes a day.
It’s either the accidental diaper leak or the ‘oops!’ that happens when you forget to burp the baby immediately after a feed. Whatever the case, you might feel like you are always at the washing machine. That is why you wonder, instead of sorting and washing them separately, can you just throw in all of them at once? Let’s find out.
Should You Wash Baby Clothes Separately?
If you are wondering whether you should wash your baby blankets and clothes together, no you shouldn’t.
While this is the case, it is always best to treat baby’s laundry the same as you treat your general laundry. When washing the rest of the baby’s clothes, it is still advisable to do a quick ‘sort’ before putting them into the machine. Blankets should go in alone, but it is also essential to separate bed sheets and towels.
On the remaining load, you should also ideally separate whites and colors. Also, if you use cloth diapers, these should go in separately. You can wash blankets, bedsheets and towels together. But remember to put the smaller pieces like wash clothes and pillowcases to mesh laundry bags to allow them to wash and dry properly.
Washing whites and colors separately ensure that the colors do not blend into the whites and taint them. It is important to wash the whites in cold water with a gentle cycle. The same applies to the colors. However, always remember to check the clothing tag to see whether the instructions suggest otherwise.
Always use a mild detergent that is less likely to affect the baby’s skin. Bab’s skin is more sensitive, and using harsh chemicals can cause skin irritation or other allergic reactions. It is especially advisable to avoid using bleach on babies clothes. It may be deemed ‘baby-safe, but it is best to avoid it altogether.
In case of stains or spills, rinsing the cloth immediately in cold water and throwing it in the washer will solve the problem. Also, consider doing a double rinse every time you wash your baby’s clothes to ensure all the detergent is rinsed out.
Be Extra Cautious if Your Baby Has Skin Allergies Like Eczema
It is crucial to be even more cautious with your baby laundry if s/he has any skin allergies. If you have a baby with itchy skin, a little bit of the wrong particles touching their skin can cause a serious reaction. Hence, a little more care needs to be put when washing and drying their clothes.
First of all, the clothes and beddings need to be washed more often and when washing, use only hypoallergenic detergents. Do not use anything that has dyes or fragrances. Also, as a rule of thumb, always rinse more than once. Rinse twice or more until you are sure that all the detergent has been rinsed off.
Why You Should Not Wash Baby Blankets and Clothes Together
There are no shortcuts when it comes to your baby’s safety – creating a safe environment to nature a child as they grow up is every parent’s top priority. This includes how you clean their clothes, bedding, and the environment they stay in.
To many new parents, laundry is a never-ending cycle. Before you can even finish drying the previous load, there is a new load already in line waiting to be washed. It can be very tasking, especially if you do not have enough help.
This is why, sometimes, you will be tempted to throw everything into the washer and just finish up the cleaning in a single load – especially if the load is small. However, washing everything together is a bad idea – especially not together with the blankets.
Baby blankets are large and heavy and will keep the other clothes from washing and drying correctly if cleaned with the other laundry. Due to the difference in size, the clothes are likely to be trapped and the blanket wouldn’t have a chance to wash or dry correctly.
Tip: Since blankets get a chance to be cleaned only once in a while, it is good to give them a little bit more attention. Give them a good soak before washing, and use a baby-safe detergent and fabric softeners to help maintain their softness.
How Often Should You Wash Your Baby Blankets?
This question comes up often, how often should I clean my baby beddings? The truth is, there is no definite answer to this question. If there are no spills, washing baby blankets and comforters once every two weeks is sufficient.
However, it also depends on how you use the blankets. If the comforter is only spread on the bed for decoration, washing every 2-3 months is enough.
But if it is used to provide warmth to the baby and is in contact with the baby’s skin at any point, do not risk it and wash it as often as possible. A blanket gathers and traps dust particles quickly, so cleaning it often helps protect your baby.
Most baby beddings and security blankets can go into the washing machine. However, always opt for lower machine temperature settings – especially if the fabric is soft and delicate. Some, though, need to be hand-washed. Always check the label for the instructions before you make a purchase.
Conclusion
For every new parent – or all the parents – bringing in a new bundle of joy is the start of a new life adventure. You get to start and learn a lot of new life experiences that you wouldn’t otherwise.
From how to feed the baby, put them to sleep, the care routine, and even wash their laundry correctly.
As discussed above, washing your little one’s laundry is not rocket science. Just treat it as you would your own. It is advisable to wash baby blankets and clothes separately and sort out the laundry as you would your own before washing.
