Home ::
Baby
clothes
Caring For Baby's Clothes
by
Mike Cliff
New parents are full of concerns about what regular household
activities may pose a threat or present problems for their newest
family member.
At some point the question about the best ways to wash baby clothing will arise. Parents typically ask whether there is a certain type off detergent that they should use, whether it is safe to wash baby clothes with the rest of the family's clothing and what special steps should be taken with cloth diapers if they are being used.
Detergent
This is a valid concern. It is not atypical for certain
detergents to irritate the skin of adults and older children,
so it is certainly feasible that a baby's tender and sensitive
skin can be easily irritated by harsh detergents. There are
several detergents on the market that are supposedly intended
for baby's clothing, but there is not much difference between
them and other mild detergents.
The best choice for parents to
make in this area is to purchase mild detergent that is free
from added colors and fragrances and wash the clothing in that.
If the baby does develop a rash or seems to be experiencing skin
discomfort of any kind, the first thing to do is consult the
family pediatrician. The doctor may simply recommend that a
different detergent be used, but will also be able to determine
if there is a more serious problem.
Washing Baby Clothes with Family Clothes
Some parents feel that the baby's clothing needs to be washed
separately from that of the rest of the family. The rationale
for this is that the other family members' clothing could
somehow taint or contaminate the baby's. There is no reason to
worry about this and it is perfectly safe to wash baby's
clothes and bedding along with everyone else's. The exception
to this rule is cloth diapers. If parents are using cloth
diapers and washing them at home rather than using a diaper
service, they must be washed apart from everything else.
Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers are fading into memory, replaced by the more
convenient disposable brands that are on the market. For
families that choose to use these, however, there are some
special considerations. The most sanitary way to utilize
reusable cloth diapers is to contract a diaper service. This
will take away the hassle of washing the diapers at home and
ensure that the replacement diapers are sterile. For families
that choose to wash at home, the previous paragraph details
that they should be kept separate from all other laundry.
Storing the diapers until wash time must be done as sanitarily
as possible. This means rinsing the cloth diaper in the toilet
to remove solid wastes, then storing it in a pail until it is
time to be washed. The pail should be covered to prevent odor
and lined with a disposable or washable liner. The pail, lid,
and liner should be cleaned whenever the diapers are and the
soiled diapers should be washed at least twice weekly.
About The Author: Mike Cliff http://www.opensalon.net
More information: Baby Clothes