Baby Laundry Basics
With the arrival of the new infant, laundry work is doubled. As parents, we want to the safest, most natural products to wash our baby’s clothes. Special formulated detergents for baby’s clothes do not remove all the stains. You might have to switch to your regular washing detergents or natural laundry supplies.
Your baby’s skin is the softest; hence avoid using products like harsh detergents, perfumed fabric softeners, which can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin or spark allergies that cause rashes. Read the care label on baby’s clothing especially sleepwear before washing. It’s best to wash baby clothes separately from the rest of the laundry.
Babies’ produce large amount of laundry and with them, fast action is the best defense. Presoak stains in cold water. Water helps remove most stains and spots, especially those of fresh drool or formula. If you soak the stains under water for sometime and rub lightly with a soft bristled brush and small amount of mild soap, stains can disappear.
After trying to remove the stains, check for it before drying. If the mark remains, you will have to use some stronger washing liquid. Be sure to rinse the clothing thoroughly after treating the stains.
For breast milk, formula or food stains, soak in plain water first, then use enzyme cleaner. If the stain remains, use all-purpose stain remover and launder as usual.
For fresh oil greasy stains, cover the area with talcum powder or cornstarch. Scrap off after sometime and launder as usual.
For stains from fruits or veggies, flush with cold water, soak in 1:1 solution of rubbing alcohol and water. Launder as usual if stain vanishes. For a stubborn stain, lightly bleach the area by soaking it in solution of white vinegar and water.
Clean diaper stains by treating the area with a tbsp of ammonia diluted in a cup of water. Then wash with all-purpose stain remove and launder as usual.
If you are not keen on using chemicals on baby clothes, try these natural laundry supplies:
Baking soda: Mix this effective cleaner and fabric softener with water to form a paste. Use it on stains to absorb odors. Or just add a spoonful to presoak the clothes.
Borax: This water-soluble mineral with antiseptic, antibacterial, water softening and whitening properties is a good diaper presoak.
Washing soda: Also known as sodium carbonate, two tbsp of this strong cleansing and degreasing mineral will remove greasy stains easily.
White vinegar: This naturally acidic liquid cuts grease, softens waters and lightens dingy laundry.
