Cleaning Baby Clothes in 4 Easy Steps

A baby's day-to-day life is filled with new experiences and learning of all kinds. As we all know, these experiences rarely leave clothes untouched. Meals, little mishaps, and everyday explorations mean baby's clothes need to go through the wash regularly.

Wondering how to wash your baby's clothes safely and hygienically? Deux par Deux can answer all your questions about laundry detergent, types of wash, temperature, and frequency!

1. Use a suitable detergent

Your baby's skin does not have the same needs as an adult's. Thinner and more fragile, it is less resistant to external aggressions and is easily irritated. That's why it's important to know how to wash a baby's clothes and what type of soap to use! 

Whether in powder, liquid, or capsule form, conventional detergent is not recommended for washing your baby's clothes. To protect your baby's fragile skin and avoid irritation, we recommend using a gentle, allergen-free detergent. 

When choosing a product, make sure it is : 

• Phosphate-free

• Hypoallergenic

• Dye-free

• Perfume or alkaline agent free

Specially designed, homemade, certified organic or natural laundry detergents are generally suitable for the skin of toddlers. 

Making your own natural laundry

Do you wonder how to wash the clothes of a baby with irritated skin? Marseille soap is your best ally! Naturally soft, it is efficient and safe whilst also kind to your baby's skin. 

To make your homemade laundry, bring 20g of shaved Marseille soap, water, and a tablespoon of baking soda. Then:

• Boil 1 liter of fresh water, then add the soap and stir.

• Let stand for 30 minutes, then add the baking soda.

• Mix it all together and let it rest for 24 hours.

Your laundry is ready and completely safe for the whole house!

Fabric softener and bleach: products to avoid

It is not recommended to use fabric softeners to wash baby clothes. They are generally more allergenic and aggressive to his skin. Some agents included in these types of products can even act as endocrine disruptors. 

However, you can replace the softener with white vinegar. Diluted in a cup of water, it will have the same softening effect when rinsing; an effective method and guaranteed odorless!

Bleach should also be avoided when washing your baby's clothes! Badly rinsed, it is a particularly irritating and harmful product for his skin.

2. Choosing the Right Wash Program

With your suitable detergent in hand, you're ready to get started washing your baby's clothes. Here are some tips on how to program your washing machine:

• Use only one product: to preserve the baby's skin. 

• Use long cycles: a complete rinse cycle removes all traces of detergent from the clothes. 

• Avoid overloading the machine: this facilitates rinsing, which is important to protect the baby's skin!

• Find the right dosage: too much soap can increase the risk of irritation and too little will make your wash ineffective. It's all about balance!

In addition, the pre-wash option can be effective for getting rid of stubborn stains.

Should Baby Clothes Be Washed Separately?

There's no need to make life difficult; washing baby clothes can be done by the whole family. To respect his sensitive skin, use a mild detergent and sort the family's clothes by color, fabric, and washing temperature.

The First Wash: An Essential Step

Generally, new clothes should always be put in the washing machine before being worn. They will have been touched by other people before you, and they can carry germs and impurities. 

The first wash also removes dye residue and other agents that may be harmful to the baby's skin.

3. Adapt the Washing Temperature to the Laundry

Depending on the recommendations of clothing manufacturers and your habits, washing temperatures may vary. However, at Deux par Deux, we recommend washing most clothes at 30°C or cold. This will keep the colors bright and increase their life span.

• 30°C : 

  • Bath towels;

  • Bed linen;

  • Bibs;

  • T-shirts;

  • Dresses;

  • Pants;

  • Pajamas;

  • Stockings;

  • Cotton underwear.

• Cold: all more delicate or woolen garments.

If the stain persists, soak the garment in water with a little detergent before putting it in the washer!

Not sure what temperature to choose? To know how to wash your baby's clothes, check the label.

4. Drying and Ironing

There is no contraindication to using the dryer for a baby's laundry. It’s an ally for any parent who has to do numerous loads of washing a day.

At this stage, the most important thing to check is that the clothes are completely dry before folding and storing them. Otherwise, wet clothes may smell bad or, in the worst case, develop mildew. 

To make sure your clothes are dry, you could iron them before you put them away! Ironing helps to finish the drying of the garment, in addition to eliminating bacteria. 

Finally, on sunny days, you can dry the baby's clothes outside! The sun not only airs the clothes but also disinfects and brightens the whites.

How Often Should I Wash My Baby’s Clothes?

Now that you know how to wash your baby's clothes effectively, you're wondering when you should wash her different things. The washing frequency depends on the condition of the clothes. For a bib or pajamas, it can be pretty quick!

The washing frequency depends on the type of clothing:

• Bibs: after each meal

• Underwear and pajamas: every day

• All other clothes: every 2-3 days

• Sleep bag: every 3-4 days

• Bedding: about twice a week

Of course, these are averages to keep your child's environment clean and developmentally appropriate. As the weeks go by, you'll find the pace that works best for you and your baby!

Deux par Deux: Clothing Designed for All Babies

Now you know how to wash your baby's clothes to protect his skin and his clothes! With the right amount, the right product, and the right temperature, it should be easy. Your baby can continue all his learning and adventures in beautiful, clean clothes!

Would you like to complete your fast-growing baby's wardrobe? Check out our online store for baby girl and baby boy clothing.  Deux par Deux offers you a vast collection of colorful, original clothes adapted to the needs of your little ones!