Silly ? about storing baby/kids clothes

MrsH_08 · March 2011

Many of you have mentioned that you keep clothing, in larger sizes, in your child's closet in some type of storage bin. We're planning to do the same and found large plastic totes that fit well and stack nicely. I'm starting to go through the (large number of) clothes that my sister handed down from my nephews.

I was planning to wash all of the clothes, regardless of size, before storing. So, that way it's ready to wear. But I'm actually wondering if it's best to wait and wash the bigger sizes when I'm ready to pull them out and use them. I feel like they'd be fresher and softer that way. (Note: My sister washed all the clothes before she stored them. They're clean, but it's been a while.) Just wondering if it's worth washing the bigger stuff before I re-pack it, or just wash the items when I swap out sizes. If I wash them early, will I want to wash again to freshen them anyway?

What do you ladies do?

Bri&Shane_3/8/08 · March 2011

I wash it before I put it in the bin, and when I take it out, I smell it - if it smells dingy - then I rewash.

Something else to think about is that your little guy may have an allergic reaction to whatever detergent you are using NOW. But you won't know it until he starts wearing clothes - so it may be best to wash it when he is ready to wear.

StellaZ · March 2011

For hand-me-downs, I'd wash/store and then for used and new, wash batches again as you feel the need (I did not)...AND I'd compare clothes and match by visual size -not by tag size. Every brand sizes differently. Start with some Carters maybe and match by size to those....

Bri&Shane_3/8/08 · March 2011

StellaZ:
I'd compare clothes and match by visual size -not by tag size. Every brand sizes differently. Start with some Carters maybe and match by size to those....

THIS! You'd be amazed how clothing sizes for little ones are SO different.

For example - Jackson pretty much wears 24 month stuff right now. However, his Old Navy jeans are 18 months and his t-shirt size is 3T with some brands.

mishquiche · March 2011

I sorted through everything and washed it, then I packed away the big sizes. When I pull those tubs out, I wash everything again.

I agree with Stella about the sizes. I often put things into different sizes than the tags indicate.

MrsEditorJax · March 2011

I washed everything up to about 9 months and then compared sizes before hanging. Some brands run super small -- Collin wore a Ralph Lauren 9 mo. outfit at 2 months old -- and others are branded oddly, like Carters, where a 9 mo. outfit is weight wise (compared to most other brands) is 6-9, and a 12 mo. is 9-12, etc. I hung stuff by actual size, not by what the tag said. Everything over 12 mos., I kept tags on until he got out of 3-6 mo. and then moved that stuff out and started moving the new stuff in.

Seattle_JiLLn · March 2011

Leave tags on the bigger stuff in case you end up wanting to exchange sizes. Otherwise for hand me downs I'd wash and then store and not rewash.

Mama_v2.0 · March 2011

Store, then wash them when you take them out. I always have to wash things when they come out of plastic bins or "space saver bags" because they always smell like plastic to me. Maybe I just have a sensitive nose?

braveangel2 · March 2011

If I wash them now, I'd wash them again when the time came for wear. Washing now just helps me sort and feel organized and makes the clothes feel more mine. Not rational, but there you have it.

Nancy_Drew · March 2011

Second hand clothes, wash then store. New clothes, keep the tags ON! Only wash as you wear that size. I ended up having to exchange a ton of Rye's stuff since he skipped 2 sizes and was thankful I had kept the tags on!Under the crib in storage totes is a great place for storage. At least until you have to lower it matress, but it works for a while!

MrsH_08 · March 2011

Thanks so much for the replies!! I am noticing a difference in sizing, so that's a good idea to store by size visually vs tag. I'll have to remember the tip about not cutting off price tags on bigger stuff. The only new items I have right now were all bought on clearance, which I would think is final (though I did leave tags on).

Bri&Shane_3/8/08:
Something else to think about is that your little guy may have an allergic reaction to whatever detergent you are using NOW. But you won't know it until he starts wearing clothes - so it may be best to wash it when he is ready to wear.

This is something that could potentially be an issue. I believe my sister used/uses Dreft on all her kids' clothes. I plan to use a free and clear detergent like I use now, as long as he doesn't have issues with it. I have sensitive skin and it was way more sensitive when I was a baby. So, I'm preparing myself for a baby with sensitive skin, too, just in case. Might be good to wash now to remove the Dreft, if nothing else. Then maybe I'll wash later, too, as I take them out of the bins.

Thanks, again!

braveangel2 · March 2011

Nancy_Drew:
Second hand clothes, wash then store. New clothes, keep the tags ON! Only wash as you wear that size. I ended up having to exchange a ton of Rye's stuff since he skipped 2 sizes and was thankful I had kept the tags on!Under the crib in storage totes is a great place for storage. At least until you have to lower it matress, but it works for a while!

I forgot about tags on new clothes...yeah, that's definitely something to watch out for. I was able to get more for any clothes with tags.

As far as the detergent goes, that's also a good point. We use Seventh Generation free and clear (I'm super sensitive to chemical smells), and it's never been a problem with E, and my nose loves it.

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