Washing baby clothes

I am washing some clothes today that some friends have given us. I know to use either Dreft or a detergent that is dye and perfume free - but what about dryer sheets - I am guessing that is probably a no-no as well. Anything I am missing?

Thanks!

 

Shelley, I'm not sure about dryer sheets. I never did use them when they were younger because they do have a scent. I hope someone can chime in with more information. I think you've got everything covered! Have fun! :Clap:

 

I didn't use them. I was told I shouldn't- but never really researched it.

 

What about bleach - assuming that might be a bit harsh?

Thanks ladies!

 

I don't use bleach or dryer sheets. Baby Oxy is my best friend when it comes to getting stains out of baby clothes (both the spray and the powder)!

 

Downy makes a softener that is perfume/dye free.

 

I never used bleach or dryer sheets either. I used Dreft stain remover spray and swear by that stuff!!

 

I did not use dryer sheets or bleach either. I used All Baby for my twins.

 

Another ALL user here...(the one that is perfume/dye free). No bleach, I pretreat any stains ~ luckily there havent been many ~ yet!!
I do use dryer sheets as of the past month. I didnt use them for the 1st 5+ months though.

 

[SIZE=18pt]I was just reading about this topic on my other chat forum. They pointed out that fabric softener could impact that flame retardantness (if that's a word) of the clothing. I think you need to read the label or the fabric softener. Apparently there are a lot a brands out there that make scent free sheets and liquid.

Here's my question: Is there a reason why babies clothes are all flame retardant? Are they more susceptible to spontaneous combustion or something? Are adult clothes flame retardant? These are questions that float around in my head on a daily basis. . .

Oh and also, when did you start washing all the clothes? I was thinking about starting now but thought maybe it was too early kind of like getting ready for the prom way to early then sitting around with nothing to do in your party dress. I'm currently 25 weeks.[/SIZE]

 

QUOTE(trustinHim @ Jul 6 2008, 09:25 AM) [snapback]862088[/snapback]
Here's my question: Is there a reason why babies clothes are all flame retardant? Are they more susceptible to spontaneous combustion or something? Are adult clothes flame retardant? These are questions that float around in my head on a daily basis. . .


I'm not sure about the answer to this. I would guess children's clothes are flame retardant in case of a fire or something like that.

QUOTE(trustinHim @ Jul 6 2008, 09:25 AM) [snapback]862088[/snapback]
Oh and also, when did you start washing all the clothes? I was thinking about starting now but thought maybe it was too early kind of like getting ready for the prom way to early then sitting around with nothing to do in your party dress. I'm currently 25 weeks.

I don't think it's too early at all to start washing them.

 

QUOTE(trustinHim @ Jul 6 2008, 06:25 AM) [snapback]862088[/snapback]
I was just reading about this topic on my other chat forum. They pointed out that fabric softener could impact that flame retardantness (if that's a word) of the clothing. I think you need to read the label or the fabric softener. Apparently there are a lot a brands out there that make scent free sheets and liquid.

Here's my question: Is there a reason why babies clothes are all flame retardant? Are they more susceptible to spontaneous combustion or something? Are adult clothes flame retardant? These are questions that float around in my head on a daily basis. . .

Oh and also, when did you start washing all the clothes? I was thinking about starting now but thought maybe it was too early kind of like getting ready for the prom way to early then sitting around with nothing to do in your party dress. I'm currently 25 weeks.

I dont think its too early to start washing a few things, but I know I had a TON of clothes is newborn and 0-3 months and I washed them all and some of them they never even had a chance to wear.

 

Hi Shelley,
I am kind of a rebel in the land of twinfants but if I could go back, I wouldn't bother washing all of it. It took me around 20 loads, maybe more, of laundry to wash all of my boys' things before they were born.

I bought the expensive soap and dye free dryer sheets (that you speak of) and then quit using it after the one round of Dreft ran out. For us, totally unnecessary. I also quit washing the new clothes.

We might be lucky, not sure, but we've never had any dire situations from not washing everything they come into contact with in special soap.

For me, it was a scare tactic like soo many other things when you are hearing of "What you MUST do for new babies."

Not so here.

None of my friends bother w/ the special stuff now anyway. They did about the same as me, one container full and then thought better of it. We're all still here.

Another problem was this.. I bought a few thousand dollars worth of clothing, bedding etc for the babies when I was pregnant and washed them ALL cuz I just "HAD TO'' cuz that is the RULE. LOL. Anyway, totally backfired on me and at least 40% of those clothes never fit these two at the right time. Problem, I washed them and cut off tags so i was stuck with them!! Major bummer. Wasted a ton of time and money here. I tell people now "only buy what you need for right away don't buy too much in advance cuz who knows if it will fit."

So.. that's one reason for not doing it.

Another is: once you see how much laundry you're doing you will see that it's very costly to wash it all in Dreft. AND the biggest deal for me is IF I "had" to wash the babies' stuff in Dreft that would mean I would have to separate laundry even further into "their piles" and me and DH's piles.. NOT COOL!! So.. we just do it ALL in Tide and Bounce Sheets. Never had a problem

Just letting you know.. and I did not read previous posts.. that it doesn't "have to" be that way.

Dreft does smell nice tho and if you can afford it that's GREAT!! And I do believe that for babies w/ allergies etc- it's probably a life saver. Luckily, we never had any.

Congratulations to all of you EXPECTING MOMMIES.

 

I did not wash baby clothes before they were born. One, I did not have the time and was told there really was not a need to do so. However, I do use All free and clear because DH has sensitive skin and Luke, our son, has ezcema (sorry about my spelling...)and do not use dryer sheets for the babies' wash on recommendation of the pediatrician because of Luke's ezcema.
I think Dreft is really expensive, we received a lot of samples of it that we still have, but I buy whichever "free and clear" is on sale.

I second the recommendation for Baby Oxy, great for getting stains out!

 

I think the fire-retardant rules were developed in response to older kids in loose pajamas playing near open flames, space heaters, that kind of thing. Not really as much of a concern with babies, or in most modern homes. (Which is why baby clothes aren't generally flame-retardant, although if you get nightgowns for older kids they still are.)

I don't use dryer sheets anyway, but I find that if everything in the load is 100% cotton and it doesn't tumble too long after it gets dry, static is not a problem.

I just use the cheap bulk detergent for everything and it has always worked fine. No fragrance or dyes. I did wash all the baby clothes in advance, but that's because they'd been up in the attic for a couple of years and I was afraid they'd be dusty.