Disposable diapers and automatic washing machines make life much easier for modern parents – there is no longer a need to devote so much time to washing and boiling baby clothes, as in the days of our grandmothers. However, a newborn's diaper, romper, and undershirt should still be washed regularly. Our experts will tell you how to do it correctly so that children's clothes shine cleanly and washing does not damage the baby's delicate skin.
General washing rules
Newborn babies are vulnerable to external factors – dirty or unwashed clothes or improperly selected detergent for washing children's clothes can cause skin irritation, allergies and even lead to the development of various diseases. Washing in hot water kills germs and removes organic dirt well from diapers and baby clothes, but some things made of delicate materials can lose their quality and original appearance when in contact with boiling water.
In order for children's clothes to please with their cleanliness, serve for a long time and be safe for a child after washing, several rules must be observed.
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The clothes of the newborn should always be washed separately from the clothes and linen of the adult family members. It doesn't matter if it is hand wash or machine wash. They should also be put in a separate laundry basket. Joint washing of clothes of all family members is allowed only when the baby is 3 years old.
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Diapers or clothes with traces of dried feces or food residues must be cleaned before being placed in the washing machine drum. It is even better to remove this kind of dirt immediately under running water so that they do not have time to be absorbed into the fibers of the fabric and dry out.
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Use only specially designed powders and detergents for baby clothes. They do not contain ingredients hazardous to baby's skin and fragrances.
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Heavily soiled light cotton clothes of newborns (romper suit, diapers, undershirts, bed linen) can be machine washed at a temperature of 90C. Knitted clothes, warm overalls, colored or combined items – at a temperature not exceeding 40C.
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If possible, be sure to turn on the 'Extra Rinse' button on the washing machine so that no detergent particles remain in the fibers of the fabric. When washing by hand, rinse the laundry until the water in the basin is completely clear.
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Do not use conditioners, stain removers, optical or chlorine brighteners.
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Prevent the formation of mold on the elements of the washing machine – thoroughly dry the compartments for detergents, the drum, wipe the door gum dry.
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Advice! In order not to lose baby's small things after washing, such as socks, booties or bonnets, just put them in a special mesh bag.
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With dermatitis or a child's tendency to allergies, you should stop using conditioners and stain removers, even when washing adult clothes. Chemical residues remain in the drum and machine compartments and can penetrate the fibers of the newborn's laundry.
How to wash baby clothes
In hardware stores or supermarkets, there is a large selection of laundry detergents or liquid detergents labeled 'For washing baby clothes' or 'Recommended from the earliest days'. The inscription on the packaging implies that they do not contain such components that are unsafe for the delicate skin of a newborn baby, such as:
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Surfactants (surfactants) – chemical compounds that can cause allergic reactions, diseases of the nervous and respiratory systems;
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phosphates – salts of phosphoric acids added to soften water – disrupt the acid-base balance of the skin, can reduce immunity, provoke metabolic disorders;
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chlorine is a strong allergen, very toxic, has carcinogenic properties;
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bleaches – can provoke rashes, skin irritation.
Active chemicals in baby powders partially remain in the fibers of clothes and linen even after several rinses. The baby's skin does not yet function as a protective barrier, so they can enter the body and have a toxic effect.
It turned out that, despite the inscriptions on the permission to use the detergent for washing clothes of newborns, many of them contain one or more hazardous components. When buying, you must carefully study the composition of the powder and do not trust the inscriptions on the box.
You should make a choice in favor of detergents based on natural soaps – they effectively remove impurities and do not harm the skin and health of the baby (the packaging may be labeled 'Bio' or 'BIO'). Their cost is much higher than the price of conventional powders, but they do not threaten the health of the child.
Our experts recommend using the following products for washing clothes of newborns:
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'Our Mom' Bio Formula. It is a shavings from baby soap based on coconut and palm oil. Average price – 130 rubles. for 380 g.
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Tobbi Kids from 0 to 12. Phosphate-free powder, does not contain enzymes and fragrances, cleans various stains well. Price – 300 rubles. for 2.4 kg.
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Meine Liebe concentrate (1 kg = 3 kg) based on natural soap, biodegradable, with whitening effect. Washes even the most stubborn dirt at temperatures from 300C. The price of 1 kg is 360 rubles.
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Babyline Baby Powdered Detergent. Contains a minimum of components harmful to the skin of newborns. Price for 900 g – 300 rubles.
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Sodasan 'Comfort-Sensitive' is hypoallergenic (suitable for washing baby clothes up to 1 year old and allergy sufferers). The cost is 1200 rubles. for 1200
Our experts found out that the popular Russian children's powders: Aistenok, Pemos for children, Eared nanny, etc., contain surfactants and phosphates (albeit in a minimal amount) and have an increased toxicity index. We do not recommend using them for washing clothes of children under 1 year old.
Our grandmothers washed with laundry soap – they perfectly got rid of dirt and did not worry about the baby's skin. This proven remedy, along with baby bar soap, is truly effective and safe. It's just that washing an automatic machine with it in a car is quite problematic. And for hand washing, you will not find a more versatile, hypoallergenic and cheaper product.
If possible, choose powders for children with silver ions or herbal extracts (for example, 'Our Mom', Garden Kids, Tide Children's, Bio Mio). These components will bring additional benefits to the health of the newborn baby.
How to remove stubborn dirt
Baby clothes should not be washed with stain removers and bleaches, but sometimes it is necessary to remove stubborn or old stains, blood stains, iodine, fruit juices, etc. from the surface of the fabric.
Organic pollution perfectly removes hydrogen peroxide – it is safe for the skin of a newborn and rinses out well.
To get rid of blood, urine or feces stains on your baby's underwear, you must:
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pour hydrogen peroxide on the contaminated place;
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wait 10-15 minutes;
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rub the fabric with a brush or hands;
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hand wash or machine wash with soap or baby powder.
Stains from iodine, milk or fruit puree effectively removes hydrogen peroxide with ammonia (in a 1: 1 ratio) and gruel from soda and water (soda is also safe for baby's skin). The cleaning agent is applied to the contaminated area, wait 20-30 minutes and wash. There will be no trace of stains.
Laundry soap will quickly and effectively remove many dirt – they need to generously lather the soiled newborn's thing and soak it in a basin for 15-20 minutes, then rub it thoroughly with your hands or with a brush and wash as usual.
Boiling baby clothes
The old proven method of boiling will help to restore the washed-out children's clothes to a fresh look. It is usually used for light-colored items made of cotton or linen.
You can use an enamel basin or a bucket with a lid to boil the linen, or a large saucepan (8-10 liters) without cracks and chips. Previously, such a container was called 'boiled water'.
Mode of application:
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fill the container 2/3 with water and put it on medium heat on the stove;
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after waiting for the water to heat up to 40-50 degrees, add shavings of baby or laundry soap (half a piece) or baby powder to the pan;
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after dissolving the product, put the laundry in a container, trying not to overload – the fewer things, the more effective the bleaching process will be;
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close the pan with a lid and wait until the water boils;
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after boiling, reduce the heat and cook until the water becomes dirty, and the things, on the contrary, are clean – on average 1-1.5 hours, stirring occasionally with a long spoon or special tongs;
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carefully take out the boiled laundry and wash it in the usual way.
To enhance the whitening effect, 30 g of baking soda can be added to soapy water.
Boiling will remove stains of various origins, restore the previous cleanliness of the laundry, destroy bacteria, viruses and dust mites, which will protect the newborn from infections and allergies. This troublesome (and rather dangerous) procedure can be replaced by washing in the machine with an automatic machine at a temperature of 950C.
New baby things
All new things for a newborn must be washed. There may be residues of textile dye on the fabric, which will cause allergies, or various microbes.
Many children's products are sold starched to enhance their appearance, which makes them stiff. Washing will soften the fabric and remove starch residues, which many children are allergic to.
Warm items for newborns (blankets, envelopes or overalls), which are not recommended to be washed, must be steam or ironed.
It is necessary to iron a newborn's clothes, diapers and bedding on both sides for up to 6 months. Such a measure will soften the fabric after washing and serve as an additional way to disinfect things.
Expert opinion
Newborn babies are very vulnerable to adverse environmental factors. The things that come into contact with the baby's skin on a daily basis should not only be clean, but also not contain hazardous chemicals from washing powders in the fibers. This is why it is so important to follow the washing guidelines and choose the 'right' detergent. Not all of them are suitable for the delicate skin of a newborn, even if there is a corresponding mark on it. If you care about your baby's health, and even more so if he is allergic, do not be too lazy to study the composition of the powder – it should not contain surfactants and phosphates.
Modern washing machines make life much easier for young mothers (as well as fathers and grandmothers) – they are able to easily wash away dirt, save them from boiling clothes for a long time. It is worth, without any fears, entrusting them with washing the clothes of the newborn and his bedding – more time will be left for the family, rest and activities with the child. After all, this is the most important thing!
