Baby laundry tips for new parents

Are you new to parenting? Do you need to know about how to wash your baby clothes before the little one arrives? Here are our top 10 baby laundry tips!

Because baby clothes come in all types of fabrics, it’s important to follow the directions on the care label to ensure you wash them safely.

Baby laundry tips

1) Choose a gentle detergent

Baby skin is super sensitive so, if you’re wondering what laundry detergent to use for baby clothes, opt for detergents that aren’t too harsh. Non-bio and hypoallergenic options, like Persil’s Non-Bio laundry detergent, are great for this. Indeed, all Persil’s research has been certified by the British Skin Foundation, so you can feel reassured.

2) Include a fabric conditioner

Fabric conditioner can be a great way to get soft fabrics that are gentle on baby skin. What softener should you use for baby clothes? Again, just be sure to choose products that won’t be harsh on the baby’s skin, such as Comfort Pure, a kind and effective all-round fabric conditioner.

3) Air-dry where possible

Another useful tip is to air-dry baby clothes. Air-drying is a great method, as sunlight acts as a natural disinfectant. Just make sure items are completely dry before using to prevent mould spores from forming.

4) Soak for stain removal

The best approach is to soak the item in a mix of warm water and detergent, then simply pop into your normal wash. Remember, the quicker you treat a stain, the easier the stain removal process will be.

5) Baking soda and vinegar work wonders for little ‘accidents’

If your little one has wet the clothes or any other fabric, try using this traditional method of removing stains. Simply scatter baking soda over the stain to soak up moisture, then put a splash of white vinegar in the washing machine to help remove odour.

6) Wash delicate fabrics by hand

Likewise, if you’re hand-washing delicate items, it’s important to consider what to wash baby clothes with. In general, the same rules apply – use non-bio and hypoallergenic options to ensure the detergent isn’t harmful on the fabric or delicate skin.

7) Always wash second-hand baby clothes

If you’ve received any pre-loved items, be sure to wash them before wearing them on your newborn. Laundry detergent will be effective in getting out any dirt that might be left on the clothes.

8) Get help with heavy loads

If you’ve just given birth, your body has been through a lot, so don’t be afraid to ask for help with heavy loads of laundry. Just let the person assisting you know what detergent and fabric softener for newborns you usually use and let them take the pressure off you for a while.

9) Include your baby’s bedding in the laundry

Don’t forget, it’s not just baby clothes - their bedding needs to be washed too. As with the detergent and fabric softener for baby clothes, it’s worth opting for kind-to-skin products like Persil Non-Bio to wash bedding and blankets.

10) Check for reactions

If your baby reacts to the laundry detergent you are using, be sure to check with a health professional. It’s likely that by using a different product you’ll be able to avoid this from happening again, but they’ll give you advice on what baby-safe laundry detergent to use for your little one.

While it might sound complicated, the basics of baby laundry are straightforward: simply wash clothes and bedding regularly using a detergent and fabric softener appropriate for sensitive skin.

For more advice on common baby stains, check out our tips for food stains, poo stains and milk and spit-up stains.