There’s nothing like coming home with soft and breathable clothing for your baby. From small rompers to cute and adorable dungarees, everything is carefully selected. However, even the best of clothes may lose their softness if they are not properly cleaned. Many have seen baby clothes shrink and become hard after some washes. This is usually due to some common laundry mistakes.
New baby skin is very sensitive. Therefore, baby clothes must be properly cleaned. Now, let’s look at some common laundry mistakes to avoid.
Washing in Very Hot Water
Although hot water might appear to be a more effective cleaning solution, it is actually one of the main contributors to the shrinkage of baby clothes. Cotton fabrics, for instance, tend to shrink when exposed to excessive heat.
For example, Baby Go clothes for a newborn baby that are made from cotton material. Even though the clothes are designed to ensure that they are soft on the baby, heat causes the clothes to become tight.
Using Strong Detergents
Another common mistake that people make when washing baby clothes is the use of washing detergents that contain strong chemicals and fragrances. This can cause damage to the fibres of the clothes, leading to rough textures.
If you have invested in baby fashion clothes such as printed sets and soft frocks, the use of washing detergents that contain strong chemicals can cause the clothes to fade quickly.
Overloading the Machine
Running the washing machine beyond capacity, even if it saves time, means that clothes are rubbed more than they need to be, resulting in stretching, pilling, and damaging stitches.
Baby dungarees, especially if they have straps or buttons, can go out of shape if washed in a machine running beyond capacity.
Mixing Baby Clothes with Heavy Fabrics
Another blunder is washing baby clothes with towels, jeans, or other clothes. This is because heavy clothes have friction effects on baby clothes.
Washing baby clothes of darker shades along with lighter shades may also lead to colour bleeding.
Sorting clothes before washing is one habit that is often overlooked. This simple habit could save one from many common blunders.
Drying Clothes on High Heat
High dryer settings are a major reason baby clothes shrink after washing. Over-drying clothes in the dryer also takes away the natural softness of cotton fabric. Even direct exposure to sunlight for long hours can cause the prints to fade and the fabric to deteriorate.
Just like washing, drying clothes is equally important for baby clothes.
Smart Laundry Care That Keeps Baby Clothes Soft
To prevent baby clothes from shrinking and other common laundry problems and how to fix them:
- When doing laundry for your baby's clothes, it is recommended that you only use cold or lukewarm water with a mild baby clothes detergent.
- It is also recommended that you separate light and dark colours and do not mix delicate baby clothes with heavier fabrics.
- It is also recommended that you do not use bleach or wring the clothes tightly.
- When drying the clothes, you may air-dry them under the shade or use a low dryer setting and remove the clothes while still damp to prevent over-drying.
Why Proper Laundry Care Matters
When you select outfits from Baby Go, you are selecting soft cotton material that is designed for the comfort of the newborn. Proper washing ensures that the rompers remain soft, the dungarees remain crisp, and the frocks remain soft on the baby’s skin.
This also relates to the importance of planning the wardrobe for your baby properly, as discussed earlier in our blogs. Proper washing ensures that the clothes remain so for a longer time and remain comfortable for use.
Proper washing of clothes for the baby does not require any complex steps. Proper washing and drying habits ensure that the baby enjoys the softness of the clothes, whether it is a romper, frock, or dungaree.
FAQs
1. Why do baby clothes shrink after washing?
Ans: Baby clothes shrink after washing due to hot water and high heat in the dryer.
2. What is the best way of washing baby clothes?
Ans: The best method is to wash baby clothes using cold or lukewarm water and mild detergents.
3. Can I use regular detergent on baby clothes?
Ans: It is recommended to use mild detergents on baby clothes to avoid irritation and damage to the clothes.
4. Should baby clothes be washed separately?
Ans: Yes, baby clothes should be washed separately to avoid colour bleeding and damage from heavy fabrics.
5. How do I keep baby clothes made from cotton soft after washing?
Ans: You should air-dry baby clothes in the shade and not overload the washing machine.
