Sorry to ask this question...

controlledchaos617 · August 2012

I know it is talked about a lot but I want to make sure I know exactly what to do. I have not washed any baby clothes or blankets or sheets or anything yet. I plan to buy a "free and clear" type of detergent for it though. Could someone please give me recommendations on what kind they use. Also tell me exactly how to do the laundry..like do I only use the detergent and nothing else in the washer, like no fabric softener, and in the dryer, do not use dryer sheets, correct?

I just want to make sure I know exactly what to do and what not to do for all baby laundry. Thanks and sorry again for this question being asked a million times!

Flamingemu · August 2012

I used Tide F&C and nothing else in the wash or dryer. The clothes were not staticky at all when they came out of the dryer. Maybe because they are so little?

linzeek44 · August 2012

I use Tiny Bubbles. It's gentle and good for baby clothes as well as cloth diapers.

I just use detergent in the washer; no fabric softener or sheets. I have dryer balls to replace the fabric sheets because DH wanted things a little softer/less staticky.

kelbel527 · August 2012

Flamingemu:
I used Tide F&C and nothing else in the wash or dryer. The clothes were not staticky at all when they came out of the dryer. Maybe because they are so little?

This exactly. I used to use ALL F&C, but it didn't clean as well as Tide for me.

ETA: with DS I did all our laundry in F&C, so I didn't have to seperate out. This time, I may do both kiddos in F&C and mine/DH's in regular tide. We'll see how that works out though. We switched DS' laundry to regular detergent sometime between 1 & 2 when his skin was less sensitive.

hmp1 · August 2012

Flamingemu:
I used Tide F&C and nothing else in the wash or dryer. The clothes were not staticky at all when they came out of the dryer. Maybe because they are so little?

Same. Except now I wash DS's clothes with our clothes and use F&C dryers sheets too. I use a net laundry bag for the really little stuff like socks.

UpstateEMTMommy · August 2012

DH has very sensitive skin when it comes to laundry detergent so I wash baby's clothes in All F&C which we buy at Sam's because we get it for cheap and the size there lasts us forever. We wash seperately but I also work in an ER and he works at a FD so we have stuff on our clothes we don't want on LO's. Glad PP had the suggestion of the net bag for socks and little things.. I hadn't thought of that. I don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets and have no problem with static.

MarisaKathleen · August 2012

I bought All Free & Clear in terms of detergent, and then for the dryer, since I can't stand not using some type of fabric softner, I bought the spikey plastic blue balls. Unfortunately no one told me about those years ago--they work better than fabric softner ever did!

I washed all of the 0-3mo. clothes, as well as all the bedding and swaddle clothes and burp clothes so they're all ready in advance. I also did all the socks.

If you haven't already, pick up a lingerie bag and throw LOs socks in there when you wash. They're too tiny and it's washing machine anarchy.

cbj09 · August 2012

I use All Free & Clear, with no softener or dryer sheets. I usually wash everything on cold, then dry on low heat. That's mostly just because I was throwing in some things that specifically said "machine wash cold, dry low" so I figured might as well just do it all that way!

MichelenDave06 · August 2012

I use Dreft only because the smell makes my uteris skip a beat. I did use fabric softner as well. DS had sensative skin, and I am almost banking on this LO having it too, otherwise I probably would have just washed everything together.

Newt69 · August 2012

linzeek44:
I use Tiny Bubbles. It's gentle and good for baby clothes as well as cloth diapers.
I just use detergent in the washer; no fabric softener or sheets. I have dryer balls to replace the fabric sheets because DH wanted things a little softer/less staticky.

i love tiny bubbles and use it on our laundry as well, its a great stripper for grimy clothes.....no fabric softener, but i do use a used dryer sheet to try and make them smell a little better

eta: do not wash your bibs with handmade blankets, sweaters etc, the velcro sticks to them and almost ruined...my note to myself...wash bibs seperate

KarBear · August 2012

We use All F&C and use dryer balls. We used to use dryer sheets, and DD never had an issue with reactions, but everyone is different.

melody921 · August 2012

Flamingemu:
I used Tide F&C and nothing else in the wash or dryer. The clothes were not staticky at all when they came out of the dryer. Maybe because they are so little?

Same here. Tide F&C and no softener at all.

GR8TDANEMOM · August 2012

I'm to scared to wash his clothes still. I'm afraid he's going to be big and won't fit in his newborn clothes. I've only washed the things Im bringing to the hospital and I washed it in all free and clear.

Stasi · August 2012

Not all F&C detergents are created "equal". Some still have brighteners, dyes, etc...in them.

Here is a link breaking down some of the best and worst. Scroll down to 'Choosing Detergent' The 'At a Glance' link for a list of recommended detergents. Based off of this list I've decided to start washing our whole family's clothes in ALL F&C Mighty.

https://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm

GL!

ETA: The ALL F&C Mighty isn't listed in the "At A Glance' section rather in the HE listed detergents. I decided to use that one because it had the least amount of added chemicals, but still avaliable at my local grocery store.

MississippiCatfish · August 2012

I make my own laundry detergent, just switched to a new recipe because my old one contained a bar soap that's unsafe for cloth diapers, which we'll be using, and I also don't want to bother with having different detergents for diapers, babies and mom and dad. My husband has very sensitive skin, so baby might too: you could wash my clothes in bleach or drano and my skin would know no difference!

controlledchaos617 · August 2012

Wow thank you everyone so much for all of your recommendations! I think I will definitely look into those dryer balls and the bag for little socks and things. Great tips! thanks again! I am just worried about shrinking anything now haha! I really hope that does not happen.

PamelaC · August 2012

I use All F&C, no fabric softener. In the dryer we use wool dryer balls, not the plastic spiky ones. I like them much better!

mchupie · August 2012

Purex Free & Clear and nothing else. It's super cheap and works great.

jlh2716 · August 2012

I just washed all my baby stuff the same I wash my things--I washed 'em all together in cold water with Gain detergent. The only thing I did different was wash on a gentle cycle, since some of the items needed that. I washed the pre-folds and covers separately, washing on hot and using the Sun powder from Walmart. I typically use my clothesline instead of my dryer, except with bedding/towels/jeans or on rainy days, so that's what I did with baby's stuff, too.

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