Parents-to-be have a lot to take care of before their baby arrives. And they have A LOT of questions. One question new parents may be asking is should you pre-wash your baby’s clothes? Absolutely!
As a matter of fact, 9 out of 10 dermatologists say it’s important to wash your baby’s new clothes before they wear them. When asked what to wash baby clothes in, almost 90 percent of dermatologists recommend a gentle detergent. If you want to learn more about the art of pre-washing baby clothes, read our article full of handy tips!
What you'll find in this article:
Why Should You Pre-wash Your Baby’s Clothes?
You never know where they’ve been! From hand-me-downs to brand new purchases, fabrics go through a lot before they touch your baby’s skin.
For example, clothes are often stored in warehouses that may also house a variety of bugs and rodents right next to your little one’s new onesie. In addition, baby clothes are sometimes treated with formaldehyde to keep them looking fresh during shipping. As for hand-me-downs, who knows how long the clothes have been in storage collecting dust, or possibly even mould?
Whatever it is, chemicals, pests, or dust, at the end of the day, you just want to keep your baby protected from the outside world. That’s where Ivory Snow comes in! Trusted by moms for more than 60 years, Ivory Snow is the #1 pediatrician-recommended baby detergent* for a reason: It is designed to be tough on stains while still being gentle on your baby’s delicate skin, ensuring a thorough clean every time.
*based on survey of Canadian pediatricians (May 2018)
How Long Before Your Baby Arrives Should You Pre-wash Clothes?
Many parents wonder: When is the right time to start washing baby clothes? As long as you have your pre-wash duties off your hands before your baby’s arrival, you’re good. Your best course of action is to wash a few batches of baby clothes each week, so your baby will have nothing but clean and fresh garments by the time he or she arrives.
How to Pre-wash Baby Clothes
You might not be one to make a big deal out of doing laundry, but when it comes to baby clothes, a little preparedness goes a long way. Do you need to wash baby clothes separately? How can you prevent your washing machine from eating your bambino’s socks? Find out by reading Ivory Snow’s step-by-step guide on how to wash brand new baby clothes!
1. Prepare your clothes
First, sort the items by colours. Then secure zippers, buttons, snaps, and other closures, and finally, turn the garments inside out. Wash baby socks, bibs, and other small clothing items in a mesh bag to avoid ending up with solo socks before your baby even has a chance to wear them.
2. Choose a detergent
Choose a gentle detergent that protects your baby’s soft, sensitive skin, then stick to it. By using Ivory Snow liquid laundry detergent you can prevent the risk of irritation on your baby’s skin, as well as get outstandingly clean clothes.
3. Wash and dry
Follow the instructions on the fabric care label, and launder your little one’s clothes as you would normally. Generally, you will want to use hot water for washing diapers and cold water for everything else. Use a gentle-to-normal setting on your washer, especially for the first wash.
What Should be Pre-washed Before Your Baby Arrives?
Parents have a lot going through their minds as they begin their journey of parenthood. Ivory Snow is here to put your mind at ease by giving you a quick list outlining what should be pre-washed before your baby arrives. The easy answer is everything that can be washed, of course!
- Baby clothes and fabrics Whether it’s a onesie, a bib, a burp cloth, a hat, or a pair of socks, just throw them in the wash with Ivory Snow laundry detergent before your baby gets here. Then there’s nothing to worry about when you bring your precious baby home for the very first time.
- Blankets and swaddle blankets Washing blankets using the gentle cycle on the cold setting with Ivory Snow liquid laundry detergent is best. Then, you can get warm and cozy snuggling up with your baby surrounded by that beloved Ivory Snow scent!
- Stuffed animals Keeping baby’s most beloved cuddle buddy clean is super easy. Place the stuffed animal in a mesh laundry bag for extra protection, pour in Ivory Snow liquid laundry detergent, wash on a gentle setting, and hang to dry. Just like that, they’ll be all clean and ready for your baby to arrive!
Ivory Snow liquid laundry detergent works on every fabric that is machine washable. But, also keep in mind certain, special items may require special washing techniques. We hope this list helps take one more thing off your full plate as you look forward to your baby’s arrival, and we’re happy to be here for all your baby laundry tips!