Is anyone NOT prewashing?

whitney57

Anything I got used I'm of course prewashing, but I've gotten mixed answers when I ask others about washing the brand new clothes and bedding. My sister (has a 13 month old) didn't prewash any of her sons clothes and never had a problem. Anyone not do it? I'm on the fence...

Mrs.Johns

They put a lot of sizing and other chemicals on clothes. If you are cool with baby having those chemicals on his or her skin then more power to you.

christine_marie

I don't even wear my own clothes without prewashing them!

hewinked

The one thing I didn't pre-wash with DD was her first easter outfit.  It was a little sleeper, and the next morning she woke up with a rash.  Since then she's had rashy skin.  Yeah, I know, pure coincidence, but I've been washing everything since then.  Little ones have sensitive skin, and it grosses me out thinking of the millions of people that have touched that piece of clothing before I bought it. 

hermione76

I am def washing everything. The thought of all the chemicals and people touching them in the store bothers me . You never know what you LO could be allergic to. 

MissNikki007

Mrs.Johns:

They put a lot of sizing and other chemicals on clothes. If you are cool with baby having those chemicals on his or her skin then more power to you.

Yep, this.

SnoopyLuv

Mrs.Johns:

They put a lot of sizing and other chemicals on clothes. If you are cool with baby having those chemicals on his or her skin then more power to you.

I love you for this answer. I just think about the clothes lying on the dirty store floor during inventory, hanging on the racks to collect dust, being manhandled by snotty children and people's hands touching them numerous times and that's enough to make me want to wash them twice.

uluvfranke

poor kid.

Under.the.Rose

I don't know why you wouldn't pre-wash everything first (towels, clothes, blankets, etc.).

hermione76

SnoopyLuv:

Mrs.Johns:

They put a lot of sizing and other chemicals on clothes. If you are cool with baby having those chemicals on his or her skin then more power to you.

I love you for this answer. I just think about the clothes lying on the dirty store floor during inventory, hanging on the racks to collect dust, being manhandled by snotty children and people's hands touching them numerous times and that's enough to make me want to wash them twice.

This bothers me to think about as well .  

kg_08

I did prewash everything at first, then as I got new stuff there were a few things that didn't get washed before she wore them. She's alive. lol

In general I think washing is better, but when you're out visiting the in-laws and she's already puked or had an exploded diaper in the 2 sets of extra clothes you brought... the new onesie Grammy just bought ends up working out.

MSC03

Dude, do you have any idea the amount of chemicals put onto clothing to make them look softer, more colorful, better quality, etc? Plus all of the shipping and packaging dust... Have you ever been in a warehouse?

Ick.

Allie30

I've never pre-washed clothes in my life before having a baby. (Of course, I'm hte girl who has been known to buy new underwear rather than doing laundry....)

But baby clothes are so small. It was really two loads -- one for clothes and one for sheets and towels. No biggie, and since their little skin is so sensitive... I figured it coudln't hurt.

The snark on this board is unnecessary, I think. 

I also think the whole "wash baby clothes separately" thing is a crock. Start as you mean to go on. 

insertclevername

Definitely washing everything from Boppy covers and changing pad covers to clothes to bedding.  It is the least I can do for my LO.

gdssofshdws

MrsSummitCounty:

Dude, do you have any idea the amount of chemicals put onto clothing to make them look softer, more colorful, better quality, etc? Plus all of the shipping and packaging dust... Have you ever been in a warehouse?

Ick.

This! 

Also think about the time of the year and allergies and colds.  Pretty good chance it has been sneezed on.  I don't even let my kids, DH, or myself wear socks that haven't been washed.

I think i need to go take a shower now.

locash

Eh, it's a couple loads of laundry. I don't see a good reason to not prewash. Just do it.

CopperT0p

If OP means not pre-washing before baby arrives, but then washing before they wear anything, then yes, that is what I'm doing with about half of the clothes I have.  I have washed enough to get us through a week or two, and left the tags on anything that I am questioning on either size or if it is too gender specific. 

I would never put clothes on an adult without washing first, so definitely wouldn't do it for baby. 

whitney57

Just looking for input, not attitude. Thanks for the POSITIVE feedback ladies.

Mrs.Johns

I take it back. Why bother washing anything? She's just going to poop on it anyway. Is that what you wanted to hear?

SpartanChick88

SnoopyLuv:

Mrs.Johns:

They put a lot of sizing and other chemicals on clothes. If you are cool with baby having those chemicals on his or her skin then more power to you.

I love you for this answer. I just think about the clothes lying on the dirty store floor during inventory, hanging on the racks to collect dust, being manhandled by snotty children and people's hands touching them numerous times and that's enough to make me want to wash them twice.

Ewww... I never thought about this.  I prewash everything because I have sensitive skin and want to make sure there are no chemicals or anything.  I figured on doing the same for her in case she has my skin.  This puts a whole new spin on things!

gimlingal

Yes, prewashing everything before she wears it, sleeps on it, plays with it, is swaddled in it, burps on it, is dried off by it, etc. I may hold off on prewashing items that I am unsure of keeping, however they will get washing before she wears.

It really doesn't take that long, I don't know why you wouldn't.

danienross

christine_marie:

I don't even wear my own clothes without prewashing them!

this!  i always wash my own clothes before wearing (with a couple of exceptions) so i don't know why i wouldn't do the same for my child.  plus i think they feel more comfy if you wash them first.

tastyburger

whitney57:

Just looking for input, not attitude. Thanks for the POSITIVE feedback ladies.

when you post on a public forum, you don't really get to choose what KIND of input you get.

I'm also a gal who has gone out to buy underpants or clothes because I didn't feel like doing laundry, but I prewashed ALL of my baby's cloth items to get the manufacturer chemicals off.  Guess I just love my baby more than you . . . LOL

TAMLVSCARL

I am washing all LO's clothes, blankets, sheets, etc before he wears them. But I don't wash my own or hubby's when they're brand new. For a lil one I can see the need but for myself, I never have and have never had an allergy or other problem.

mrsf123

Mrs.Bones:

but...but...I don't have any clothes for my baby yet!

I'm doomed. A bad mother. This kid is going straight to juvie and rehab.

I JUST started getting clothes last week.

The only thing we have in our nursery is a stroller.

I promise you'll be fine

shortstuff15

I only pre-washed because of the shrinkage issue, and that's still the only reason I pre-wash.  I don't pre-wash my own clothes or my husbands, and I wash my baby's clothes with ours, so I guess I 'm just slack that way. 

Jen3016

I prewash every new piece of clothing that we buy, as well as new sheets, towels, etc.  I like to have my detergent smell on them and I feel like it makes the items softer.  When it comes to clothes, I don't know how many other people have tried them on before me, and how many people have touched the item.  Its more or less an ick factor for me. 

I agree with a PP about being in a pinch and having to purchase a new onsie due to an accident, but its not all the time.  I would totally be the person to go buy new underwear/socks/etc to avoid doing laundry, but thankfully my DH is a bit anal retentive about laundry, so he would never allow that to happen!

octbride1234

I am washing everything, including clothes, bedding set, sheets, diaper changing pad covers,towels, outerwear and toys.  Their skin is so sensitive and who knows what germs/chemicals are on these things.

Arielle27

I'm definitely pre-washing new stuff!

grr_aargh

Most of our stuff is used.  We'll still prewash it.  I like to fold itty bitty baby clothes. 

funchicken

In addition to chemicals and all that, there have been so many stories about bedbug infestations in the news lately, definitely definitely wash everything.

wife1014

I wash everything before using, my things, DH's things, baby things, sheets, towels.  I can't imagine not washing.  Not only for the chemicals but for all the handling by others...eew!