Wash, Rinse, Repeat: Washing Baby Clothes101

Caring for your baby can be a messy affair!

From spit-ups and blowouts to spills and milk stains, it's a wonder their clothes stay clean for more than a minute. And let's be real, the laundry that piles up at the end of the day can be overwhelming. But don't worry, we've got you covered with tips and tricks to make baby laundry a breeze!

As a parent you want to ensure that everything that touches your baby’s skin is clean, safe and gentle. Wondering about sensitive skin? How do you clean the poop stains and yet ensure the clothes remain hygienic to wear again, are soft to touch and are gentle on your baby’s skin? We've got the answers to your top stain-fighting questions!

Choose the right pediatrician recommended baby detergent for your baby's skin.

When it comes to laundry detergent for babies, stain-fighting power is important, but so is gentle skin care. Regular detergents can contain harsh ingredients that may irritate your baby's sensitive skin, leading to rashes, eczema, blisters, itching, dry and scaly skin, blotchy skin etc.

To keep your baby's skin safe, look for a baby-friendly laundry detergent with words that contain: Dye-free, Hypoallergenic, Zero phosphates and Zero chlorine.

Opting for a gentle, specially formulated detergent can help prevent skin issues and keep your baby's skin soft and healthy.

1. Don’t allow stains to become dry

Dry stains set faster, and wet clothes left for too long can lead to mildew - yuck!

Don’t allow those pesky stains, that seem to appear out of nowhere, to become dry! Keep a stain remover handy for quick cleanups, and remember: the sooner you treat, the better.

2. Each stain is different

Understand each stain. A poop stain is different from a spit-up, which is different from a milk stain. A stain on a sweater is different from a stain on a muslin swaddle which is different from a stain on a onesie.

Before washing, glance at the label for special instructions (but let's be real, new parenthood leaves little time for that!). For common baby stains like poop, milk, or puree, follow these basics:

• Cold Water is Your Friend
  - Effective
  - Prevents breast milk stains from setting and turning yellow (hot water can "cook" the milk)
  - Better for the environment
• Heavy-Duty Helper
  - Use your washing machine's sanitization feature for severely soiled clothes
  - Cold water cycles are still recommended
• Stubborn Stains
  - Rewash before drying (wet stains are easier to remove than dry ones)
  - Avoid drying clothes with remaining stains, as they can set permanently.
• Regular Stains
  - Soak in 50/50 white vinegar and water solution
• Rapid Pretreating
  - Rub baby detergent into stain before washing.
  
• On-the-Go Stain Fix
  - Keep stain treater in diaper bag or car
• Food/Oil Stains:
  - Rub baking soda into stain
  - Rinse before washing
• Poop Stains
  - Use baby wipe to remove excess stain
  - Pretreat remaining stain for best results

3. Gently dry washed clothes

• Abundant, natural, free and powerful bleaching helper - The Sun!
  - Hang clothes to dry outside for natural bleaching
  - Sunlight can remove tough stains, like blowouts, overnight
  - Be cautious, as sunlight can also cause fading
• Dryer safety:
  - Low heat is best to prevent damage to elastic
  - High heat can reduce softness and stretchiness
  - Remove promptly to prevent wrinkles and creases
• Color Protection:
  - Hang colorful clothes inside out to prevent fading
  - Preserve vibrant colors and patterns