Are you a new mom, or soon to be one? If so, it is safe to assume that you will be caring for most of your baby's laundry. Washing baby's laundry does call for more care than your own.
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
A big thing to remember when mixing baby's laundry with the whole family's is that you must use fragrance free, colorless laundry soap. If you do not use one, then you should change. You do not have to go and buy costly detergents that are made especially for babies, unless the baby has had an allergic reaction to your regular detergent. Do not chance your baby getting a rash. Use a laundry soap that will not irritate your baby's sensitive skin and one your whole household will like.
What not to Combine
Baby's laundry should never be washed with any household members clothing that has chemicals, smoke, minerals, or even excessive dirt. Your construction worker husband's work clothes is a perfect example.
As well, if you use cloth diapers, wash them separately from both the family's laundry and the baby's laundry. Do not use bleaches, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets because these can reduce the useful life of your baby's clothing, and even lessen the potency of the flame retardant chemicals in your baby's sleepwear.
What to Wash
Washing your baby's laundry can be as large a task, if not larger, than washing your own laundry and that of the rest of your household. Your baby's laundry should include:
* 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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