Tips for Washing Baby Onesies | Laundry Lab

Tips for Washing Your Babies’ Onesies

Babies have delicate skin, making it important to take extra care when cleaning their clothing. Detergents, dyes, and fragrances can irritate their sensitive skin, which is why washing baby onesies requires special attention. Whether the onesies are brand new or hand-me-downs, you should always wash them before dressing your baby in them. Below are tips for washing baby onesies to keep your baby clean and comfortable.

How to Wash Baby Clothes

Washing baby clothes is similar to adult clothing but requires a few specific steps to ensure their safety. Babies’ skin is highly sensitive, and their clothing can trap dirt, bacteria, and irritants that could lead to discomfort or rashes. To minimize this risk, always wash baby clothes in a gentle cycle with cold water using baby-safe detergents. The main goal is to remove dirt and stains without using chemicals that might irritate your baby’s skin.

Tips for Picking a Detergent

Choosing the right detergent is key when washing baby onesies. Regular adult detergents often contain chemicals, fragrances, and dyes that can irritate sensitive baby skin. Therefore, it’s important to select a detergent that’s specifically designed for babies or free from harsh chemicals.

Here’s what to look for in a baby-safe detergent:

• Fragrance-free: Avoid added fragrances that could cause skin irritation.
• Dye-free: Dyes can leave residue on fabric that may irritate delicate skin.
• Dermatologist-recommended: Look for dermatologist-tested formulas that are gentle on baby skin.
• Hypoallergenic: Choose a hypoallergenic option to reduce the risk of allergies.

You can also opt for natural, DIY detergent options if you prefer to control the ingredients.

Tips for Getting Tough Stains Out

Babies are notorious for making messes, and stains can be difficult to remove. Whether it’s formula, baby food, or diaper blowouts, pre-treating stains will save you time and effort.

Here’s how you can handle tough stains on baby onesies:

1. Act quickly: Remove the onesie and rinse it with cold water immediately after a spill to prevent the stain from setting.
2. Pre-treat stains: Use a baby-safe stain remover or natural solutions like lemon juice and baking soda. Let the onesie soak for 10-15 minutes.
3. Enzymatic cleaners: If the stain persists, use an enzymatic cleaner designed to break down proteins in tough stains. Run the onesie through a wash cycle after treatment, but make sure not to let it dry until the stain is fully gone, as heat can set the stain permanently.

Steps for Washing Baby Onesies

Washing baby onesies is straightforward, but you’ll want to follow a few extra precautions to keep your baby’s skin safe:

1. Pre-treat stains: Apply stain remover or pre-soak any soiled onesies.
2. Fasten buttons or zippers: Close all fasteners and velcro tabs to prevent snags.
3. Wash in cold water: Use a gentle setting on your washing machine with cold water and baby detergent.
4. Double rinse: For extra-sensitive skin, run a second rinse cycle to remove any remaining detergent.
5. Turn inside out: For screen-printed or custom onesies, turn them inside out to protect the design during washing.

How to Dry Baby Onesies

Drying baby onesies can be tricky. To keep them in good condition and protect your baby’s skin, avoid using excess heat or chemicals like fabric softeners.

• Low heat: If you choose to use a dryer, run it on a low heat setting to avoid shrinking the fabric and preserving the softness.
• Air dry: Air drying is another great option, especially for onesies with screen-printed designs. Simply lay them flat or hang them on a clothesline in the shade.
• Avoid fabric softeners: Fabric softeners and dryer sheets can leave residues on baby clothes that may irritate their skin. Instead, try natural wool dryer balls or a clean, dry towel to reduce static.

Tips for Folding and Storing Baby Onesies

Keeping baby onesies organized can be a challenge since they’re so small. Traditional folding methods often result in messy drawers, but there are smarter ways to keep your baby’s clothing neat and easily accessible.

• File fold: Fold onesies flat and store them vertically in the drawer, like files in a filing cabinet. This method allows you to see all the onesies at once.
• Hang them: If you have closet space, you can hang onesies by the button flaps to keep them organized and easily accessible.
• Storage bins: Skip folding altogether by using bins or shelves to store onesies. Label the bins by type (e.g., long sleeves, short sleeves) and toss the onesies in for easy storage.

No matter how you store them, baby onesies tend to resist wrinkles due to their smaller size, so they will remain fresh even with minimal effort.

Taking care of your baby’s clothing can be a time-consuming task, but with the right approach, you can keep them clean and safe. If you find yourself pressed for time or overwhelmed by laundry, let Laundry Lab help you out. Our professional laundry services are designed to cater to your needs, including baby clothing care, ensuring your little one’s garments are always fresh, clean, and gentle on their skin.

Contact us today to learn more about our specialized laundry services for babies and families!