A guide to washing baby & toddler clothes

At Milton, we don’t want you to be stressed about the laundry pile during parenthood. This is why we’ve created this simple guide that answers all your questions about washing baby and toddler clothes.

FAQs about washing baby & toddler clothes

Do I need to wash baby clothes before use?

Yes, you should always wash baby clothes before they are first used. They can pick up dust and dirt wherever you purchase them from so, by washing them first, you can rest assured that you will be clothing your newborn with fresh, clean garments. It also makes sure you’re prepared for their arrival as freshly washed clothes usually stay clean for a couple of weeks after washing.

How to wash baby clothes

Washing your baby’s clothes is an extremely similar method to washing your own clothes, there are just a couple of things to be aware of.

1. Check the garment labels for any specific washing instructions you must follow, such as the washing machine setting, hand washing preference or temperature.
2. Separate the lights from the darks as you normally would, but also make sure to separate the clothes that have been in contact with poo or sick – these need to be washed at a higher temperature and need to be separated to avoid contamination.
3. Choose a baby-friendly detergent and follow the instructions on the product.
4. Wash!

What laundry detergent is best for baby clothes?

There are many different baby brands of laundry detergent around which can be quite hard to navigate, but feel rest assured that whichever one you pick has been specifically designed with babies in mind.

You are also able to use regular laundry detergent, but make sure you look out for these qualities:

• Non-bio: Detergents can contain enzymes to help remove stains but these can potentially irritate your baby’s skin so please avoid this and use non-bio detergents instead.
• Fragrance-free: Fragrances can also potentially irritate your baby’s skin, so choose a fragrance-free option.
• Dye-free: Dyes can also irritate your baby’s skin, so choose a dye-free option.
• Hypoallergenic / tested for sensitive skin: This will be gentler on your baby’s skin.

Remember, your baby’s skin is a lot more sensitive than ours, so it’s important to choose the right detergent that won’t harm them or trigger any skin conditions. It’s also important to store your laundry detergent out of reach from children.

How much laundry detergent should I use for baby clothes?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this as it will depend on the size of the washing load, the type of detergent and washing machine you are using, and the hardness of your water.

It’s vital that you don’t use too much laundry detergent as it can be hard for your washing machine to rinse the residue from the clothes. If the clothes feel stiff, scratchy, soapy or sticky, then these are signs that you have used to much.

Always use the amount advised on the packaging to ensure you are using enough, but not too much!

Should I use fabric softener on baby clothes?

You may believe that in order to keep your baby clothes soft, you must use fabric softener but this isn’t the case. Fabric softeners can often cause irritation on your baby’s skin and they can also impact the fire resistant quality of the fabric.

Baby clothes have fire resistant qualities in case of emergencies or accidents and fabric softener can affect their effectiveness because they contain flammable ingredients like emulsifiers and alcohol ethoxylates.

You can keep your baby clothes soft by following the washing instructions on the labels. Also, be aware that you shouldn’t use fabric softeners on washable nappies either as it will make them less absorbent which will cause nappy rash.

What temperature should I wash baby clothes?

The temperature you wash your baby’s clothes at depends on the instructions stated on the label. However, they are generally washed at 30 – 40 degrees as this is cool enough to keep the clothes in good condition.

As mentioned above, reusable nappies and other garments that have come into contact with poo or sick must be washed on a higher temperature and separate from other baby clothes. This makes sure that the bacteria is removed from the stain and does not contaminate other pieces of clothing. In this case, it’s best to use a laundry sanitiser to kill germs.

What is the best washing machine setting for baby clothes?

Again, the setting you use on the washing machine for washing baby clothes will be stated on the instruction label. Different materials require different setting, for example delicate fabrics like lace or wool will require a delicate/gentle cycle. It’s always a good idea to give the baby clothes an extra rinse cycle to make sure all detergent is removed.

Can I wash baby clothes with other clothes?

In general, it is best to wash baby clothes separately from other clothing and items in the first few months – especially if you are using a specific baby-friendly detergent. This will help prevent bacteria from other clothes spreading and irritating their sensitive skin. Also, larger items like towels and sheets run the risk of damaging their delicate clothes.

How often should I wash baby clothes?

A good rule of thumb to follow is to wash each piece of baby clothing straight after they’ve worn it. Not only will the clothes carry germs from day-to-day life, but they are more likely to be stained with drool, milk spills, spit ups and nappy leaks.

It’s completely up to you on how often you wash them, whether you would rather do small frequent loads or larger less frequent loads. Find what works for your specific routine and just make sure you keep their clothes as germ-free as possible in the first few months.

What’s the best way to dry baby clothes?

Once again, the best way to dry baby clothes will be stated on the laundry label. Different fabrics will require different drying methods, however, drying them outside on the washing line is recommended. The sunlight actually helps removes germs by breaking down pigmented molecules and will help white clothes become brighter.

Tumble drying is an option, you just have to make sure that you use a shorter and cooler cycle for the best results and to avoid damaging the clothes.

What about toddler clothes?

Washing toddler clothes follows the same instructions as above. It’s still recommended to choose a laundry detergent that is safe for their sensitive skin, but their clothes will be able to join other clothing in the washing machine.

All in all, the most important thing to remember is that your child’s skin is a lot more sensitive than your own and needs to be looked after. By following this guide above, you will be able to keep their clothing germ-free as well as comfortable on their skin.

For extra protection, make sure to use your preferred baby-safe laundry tablets when washing your baby and toddler clothes. They disinfect and help to remove stains and bad smells from your laundry at 30 degrees. Suitable for all fabrics, washable nappies, whites and coloured clothes, you can rest assure that your clothes will be fresh, clean and soft for your child.

Shop the Milton range at Woolworths, Coles, Chemist Warehouse, BIG W, Baby Bunting, IGA and other major supermarkets.