Washing Baby Clothes, Muslins, bedding etc.

[Deleted User]

I've had a look through the sticky mega index but can't find any advice on how to wash baby stuff in the machine.

1. Do I need to use a special sensitive powder like Fairy or Ecocover, or will my usual biological do?
2. Do I use less powder for the clothes like I've read you do with nappies?
3. Is a normal softner ok, or should I not use one?

Sorry if this sounds really daft, but I'm thinking of washing all the baby stuff i've been given as its so nice out, but then i'm wondering if they would still be ok by December. No point doing it twice is there?!

I'd be grateful for your help.

Thanks
Bay

code-a-holic

I wash mine in non-bio powders or liquids and use comfort conditioner. Works well for me!
I would wash them with a month to go to the big arrival. Or even closer if possible to make sure they are fresh for when you need them.

Good luck with bump!

Lillibet_2

I wash mine exactly the same as I wash other clothes & always have done, although I do add a good dash of washing soda if there is lots of food residue.

However, I didn't bother pre-washing anything, I thought it was a waste of electricty & water plus it meant anything which didn't get worn was sold on as new with tags. Didn't cause any problems with Spud. Personally I think the pre-washing thing is very out of date now with modern methods of fabric & clothes manufacture, but that is just MHO & will probably be shot down in the next post:rolleyes: I would do exaactly the same again though:p

HTH;)

[Deleted User]

So do you think bio is ok or should i get some non-bio?

Thank you

patchwork_cat

hi
I think that non bio is probably recommended until you can experiment. Some skins are sensitive to the enzymes in biological powder. This does tend to run in families (although there are exceptions). You can get some very reasonably priced own brand non bios. If your baby isn't due until December I would probably wash them towards the end of the summer or early autumn.
It is lovely to put baby clothes out on the line , but I would wait a bit until washing them as you will only want to do them again if you do them too soon.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for those tips people.

With regards to washing reuseable nappies I know its best to use vinegar instead of soften, but how much powder should I use to make them clean yet not clogged up? 1 desertspoon non bio with 1 desertspoon of soda crystals for example???

Thank you.

trigger2

My DD was born 20th December, & we've moved house on 20th November ! The first week in the new house I got her room ready & washed all the clothes etc then. If you wash them too early you'll want to redo it nearer the time. Personally I would recommend using non bio first of all, but I think it's just trial & error. My kids have ezcema & non bio works better for them , but I know someone else who's DS has it & he uses Daz no probs but Ariel non bio brings him out in a rash !! There's so many brands out there its difficult to know which to choose ! I sometimes use fabric conditioner, but only a sensitive one which I water down a bit myself. I read on another site someone who works for a washing machine company say that its basically like putting grease in the machine (which is why it can get clogged up), so I do water mine down a bit & only use a little. Good luck with the bump - December's a lovely time to have them - all Christmassy & cuddly !!!

Becles

My eldest has eczema and we can only use bio-Daz or bio-Bold as they are the only two powders that don't bring him out in a rash!

Despite all the kind to babies skin stuff associated with Fairy, that was one of the worst ones for his eczema!

Just use your normal powder, but be ready to change if it does affect baby.

jcr16

i pre-washed all my son's baby clothes, mainly because alot of them were hand me downs, or items i had in loft saved from my first baby. i did use a non-bio but my son had a bad reaction to it. he is like me and has senstive skin. the only washing powders i can use is the valeu ones or tesco 2 in 1. my son has never had a prob with this. as for fabric con i use the tesco pure or similar.

my son was bron in july last year and i washed everything about 2 weeks before. gave me something to take my mine off the pregnancy and longing for baby to make an appearance

[Deleted User]

Thank you. But how much powder do you need to use on the nappies? I'm sure ages ago someone mentioned tips about this but I can't find anything on the mega index thread. I vaguely remember using too much made them less absorbent but I don't know what too much is?

Oh well, I guess I'll find out in due course.

evilwitch

Becles wrote:

Despite all the kind to babies skin stuff associated with Fairy, that was one of the worst ones for his eczema!

Totally agree. We can only use Tesco own brand non bio on eldest son as all the others make him really sore and itchy


Bailey - I use 1/2 to 1/3 as much powder as a normal load uses (ie less than normal load) depending on how soiled they are. Also stick some bicarb in there to help with stains and let them airdry with a quick tumble to soften them up as airdrying makes tham quite hard. the sun is wonderful for stains, even through the winter putting the nappies on a sunny window ledge whitens them nicely