Washing Baby's Things

sjembry93 · June 2015

Is using Dreft or any other baby detergent a "have to" thing or is it preference? I've heard Tide is mild enough for baby and that is what we use anyway and it would save us money if we could just use that.
Also when washing outfits does anyone have any tips on keeping pieces together so there's no risk of losing a part of it? My mom taught me a trick for socks using a mesh bag to hold them, I'm afraid clothes wouldn't get clean enough that way though.
I hope this isn't a duplicate thread I went back a couple of pages and used the search bar but my app was being weird. Thanks in advance for any advice!

DylansCandyBar · June 2015

Anything Free & Clear is fine. Regular Tide, no. Too much fragrance and dye for baby's skin.

gabrielafrnqyepez · June 2015

They sell big mesh laundry bags some with zippers aand some w the regular pull ...... I don't think you much to worry about aside from socks mittens or small things like that! And for the soap if you use a free and clear I think you should be fine but a lot depends on your baby's skin, if its still too sensitive I'd say using dreft I've heard of ppl mentioning that they don't even use soap for the baby's first wash as its not dirty.

saraking437 · June 2015

I am using ALL fragrance/dye free detergent. My husband and I both have sensitive skin, so I don't want to risk it with little one.

The mesh bag is a great idea! So glad I read this post. We already washed our first load of baby clothes and OMG when I went to get it all out of the dryer. Teeny socks and hats flew everywhere! Luckily we didn't lose any, but I will definitely use a bag from now on to give me peace of mind.

JaqiDec04 · June 2015

I use a "Free & Clear" detergent, but I don't use Dreft. It has a very strong smell, which I know some people love, but I prefer a free & clear detergent, I usually use ALL.

rue:D · June 2015

I use regular Tide pods currently, and plan to switch to the Tide pods that are free and clear when we wash baby things. Going to use the regular ones for our stuff until we run out, at least.

mommy_wife_nurse · June 2015

I feel it really depends on whether or not your baby has sensitive skin once he/she is here. I use dōTERRA's onguard laundry soap for the whole family, no chemicals/extra fragrances and completely natural.

My personal opinion about dreft.. Take a look at the ingredients. I just don't feel comfortable using it myself. I would stick with any free/clear brand for baby, but that's just me. Also, dryer sheets/fabric softener is a no-no in our house. Vinegar is cheaper and does a good job against static.

I'm for anything natural in my home.

lanaloulittle · June 2015

I make my own laundry detergent and use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. Those are much better than the laundry detergent you can buy in store and dryer sheets are absolutely terrible. Definitely wash anything before you put it on baby, they have more sensitive skin than adults and who knows what has gotten on clothes through manufacturing or being in the store.

babyvelasquez2015 · June 2015

I have a question regarding washing baby's clothes in advance... What if baby comes out bigger? Are u washing all clothes or certain sizes? Are u washing a handful of necessities or everything u have? I'm curious as to what if baby doesn't end up wearing everything before growing out of it... No tags already washed can't return... FTM mom here thanks for the help in advance!

aah1013 · June 2015

babyvelasquez2015 said:
I have a question regarding washing baby's clothes in advance... What if baby comes out bigger? Are u washing all clothes or certain sizes? Are u washing a handful of necessities or everything u have? I'm curious as to what if baby doesn't end up wearing everything before growing out of it... No tags already washed can't return... FTM mom here thanks for the help in advance!

If you really are worried about it, you could give the clothes to a friend or family member to wash while you're in the hospital after knowing baby's size. Or you could just do them right when you get home. I think it's safe to assume that baby will be in 0-3 months at some part. The question is probably more about newborn size, I guess.

Kbhunter · June 2015

I used the free and clear in the beginning with my first because that's what I use for all my laundry.
Then I noticed they smelled funny with breast milk ,formula and spit up smells. Almost like old milk smell. I switched to dreft, problem solved. That's what I have used since and will use for this baby.

mommabear2410 · June 2015

The doctor told a friend of mine there's really no certain detergent to use...the hospital uses very harsh detergents and if they don't have a reaction to that they should be fine with most everything else. You also have to consider if you will be using the same detergent on your clothes as well because the child will be snuggled up to you and your clothes alot!

morganabyrd · June 2015

BrooklynBroussard said:

lanaloulittle said:
I make my own laundry detergent and use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. Those are much better than the laundry detergent you can buy in store and dryer sheets are absolutely terrible. Definitely wash anything before you put it on baby, they have more sensitive skin than adults and who knows what has gotten on clothes through manufacturing or being in the store.
Can you explain how you make your own detergent? I love this idea!

Yes, please share! I used to make my own powder detergent with a mixture of Castile soap, Borax, washing soda, etc.... I didn't like it

My clothes were super stiff which bothered me. Maybe my "recipe" was sub par!

morganabyrd · June 2015

I bought this recently and thought I'd try it now, before baby, to see how we liked it. When we smelled the free & clear options I wasn't impressed. I realize they are free of fragrances but man, they stunk! Do y'all think this will be too harsh, since it's still scented?

CanadaMom17 · June 2015

Costco's Kirkland Free & Clear detergent is great.

xlipservicex · June 2015

We got our detergent from Costco as well. ECOS, it was on sale for $10 and it's a 210 load bottle. It's completely dye and scent free. I washed all the clothes we have for her already and they came out really clean. Even a few hand me down pieces with stains on them came clean.

lanaloulittle · June 2015

@BrooklynBroussard @morganabyrd
~ 3 bars Dr Bronners Pure Castile Soap, I use the baby unscented
~ 1 box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (55 oz)
~ 1 box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (4 lbs)
~ 1 box 20 Mule Team Borax (4lbs 12oz)
~ 1 tub Oxi-Clean Stain Remover (3 lbs)

Grate the Dr bronners. Then just mix all the ingredients in an air tight container.

Then on my dryer balls I add a few drops of lavender essential oils to give my clothes a little bit of smell.

I've also used Fels Naptha instead of the Dr bronners. I feel both work well and I've never had an issue with my clothes feeling stiff or uncomfortable. It may also be the type of water we have here that contributes to that (no hard water), but really I have no clue. I've been using this mixture for about 4 years. And 1 batch usually lasts my husband and I just over 1.5 years.

twogirlsandagreen · June 2015

lanaloulittle said:
@BrooklynBroussard @morganabyrd
~ 3 bars Dr Bronners Pure Castile Soap, I use the baby unscented
~ 1 box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (55 oz)
~ 1 box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (4 lbs)
~ 1 box 20 Mule Team Borax (4lbs 12oz)
~ 1 tub Oxi-Clean Stain Remover (3 lbs)

Grate the Dr bronners. Then just mix all the ingredients in an air tight container.

Then on my dryer balls I add a few drops of lavender essential oils to give my clothes a little bit of smell.

I've also used Fels Naptha instead of the Dr bronners. I feel both work well and I've never had an issue with my clothes feeling stiff or uncomfortable. It may also be the type of water we have here that contributes to that (no hard water), but really I have no clue. I've been using this mixture for about 4 years. And 1 batch usually lasts my husband and I just over 1.5 years.

You don't have any issues with the oxy clean? I made a similar recipe with oxy clean in it and it ruined a lot of our dark clothes so I'm skerrrrrd.

MamaOwl15 · June 2015

I used All Free & Clear with DS's newborn clothes. Now I just wash his clothes with ours and use Gain pods. No problems, but he's two now.

I have a bottle of 7th Generation fragrance-free I plan to use to wash all the baby stuff before using it, and I'll use that till it runs out. Probably will use some kind of free & clear pods after that.

As for washing clothes beforehand, I don't even BUY clothes smaller than 3-6 months for the most part until baby is born. If I end up with another slow gainer, I'll run to Target and pick up some smaller onesies, which I'll wash then. If you have things people have given you that are newborn or 0-3 size and baby never gets to wear them, even if they've been washed once, you could still sell them at a store like Once Upon a Child.

ajhellmuth · June 2015

I've always bought just a small bottle of deft to wash babies clothes initially but once it's gone I just switch to tide. I've never had any issues with it, my babies haven't ever gotten rashes or anything from it either.

lanaloulittle · June 2015

@twogirlsandagreen I don't. I always make sure it is the oxy clean that is safe for colors, but in 4 years I haven't ruined a dark colored shirt with it.

aiden0516 · June 2015

I have no idea about detergent-ftm...But for keeping items together....i have a friend that safety pins her socks together when she takes them off before putting in dirty laundry. Then she doesnt have to match them when theyre clean. Maybe something like that? I do wonder though if she ever gets stabbed by a rogue pin

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