Newborn layette: how to wash it to be safe.

Newborn layette : how to wash it to be safe

Whether you opt for chemical detergents on the market, or whether you opt for grandmother's natural remedies, washing every single piece of our newborn's layette is essential, perhaps in the seventh month of pregnancy when you can organize yourself in time.

Among the various preparations that every mother faces in the last months of pregnancy there is not only the purchase of essential items for the newborn and the preparation of the delivery bag . There is also the right way to wash the newborn layette. A study carried out by the EU shows that 7-8% of dermatological diseases are due to what we wear: heavy metals, solvents, dyes used to make clothes beautiful, comfortable and waterproof. The five harmful substances to watch out for in the newborn kit are: formaldehyde (powerful bactericide), pentachlorophenol (third most dangerous pesticide in the world), phthalates (found in garments made with plasticized prints), harmful dyes used for dyeing of synthetic fibers and aluminum, used as a mordant in fabrics, to facilitate the adhesion of dyes. So it goes without saying that the beauty of the clothes will take a back seat, mothers will have to choose fabrics that are as natural as possible, with neutral colors, with all the appropriate certifications. A good compromise are low-cost brands that often offer organic cotton clothing . Once the layette is ready, let's see how to wash it.

What to wash of the newborn layette

A good rule of thumb is to wash by hand or in the washing machine not only bodysuits , rompers , caps , socks but also cloth diapers, soft toys, sheets , bumpers and any garment that will come into contact with the baby's skin. Often on new clothing or other items for the newborn there is dust accumulated during storage in the store or residues of chemicals used by companies to make the clothes silky and attractive at the time of purchase.

How to wash the newborn layette

The wisest choice is certainly to move towards a neutral and specific detergent for the newborn kit, formulated mainly with allergen-free substances. On the market both online and in shops that sell natural products, there is no shortage of ecological detergents made with raw materials of vegetable origin and free of highly irritating chemical fragrances for the most delicate skins of mothers and babies.

Absolute no to fabric softener

Absolutely not recommended for baby clothes, as it seems that traces of chemical product remain trapped in the fabric even after rinsing. In fact, the softener deposits a film on clothes, soft toys and sheets which, fixing itself on the textures of the fabrics, causes dermatitis and allergies. In addition, chemical scents annoy and disorient the baby. Alternatively, there is no shortage of grandmother's remedies such as baking soda (a spoon in the detergent compartment of the washing machine will also eliminate bad smells), white vinegar , citric acid (anhydrous or monohydrate) which neutralizes the negative charges of the fabrics, giving silkiness and softness. The latter can be found conveniently online in the two variants.

The double rinse technique

Whether you hand wash your baby kit or wash it in the washing machine, experts agree that you need to double rinse. Only in this way will you be sure that you have eliminated all traces of detergent. Obviously, for hand washing it will be enough to run more water on the baby's delicate stuff. With the washing machine, on the other hand, it will be sufficient to set the double rinse, avoiding spinning too much at the end so as not to crease the most beautiful dresses of our child.

Are disinfectants and sanitizers really needed?

For some time now, scientific research has attributed to an excess of cleanliness in our homes today, the continuous growth of allergies and dermatitis among children. In fact, it seems that children no longer come into contact with germs and bacteria, they risk not developing the right antibodies. Experts therefore believe it is not necessary to sanitize baby's clothes: careful washing is more than enough. Without also considering the considerable cost of these products.

The timeless Marseille soap

Really a must with the arrival of the children. In the solid version, very useful for scraping off dirt without making stains encrust. Obviously, it can also be used before to clean the baby's layette. But its effectiveness is appreciated especially after with the stuff dirty with shit and regurgitations that will be on the agenda. Be careful in your choice, however, because it is not true that all soaps are the same. Completely vegetable ones containing olive oil and without bovine tallow are preferred.

How to lay out the newborn layette

This phase is likely to be underestimated but keeping the laundry on the balcony for a long time, especially in the central hours of the day, we risk an accumulation of smog on our baby's delicate clothes. So it will be useful to collect the laundry as soon as it is dry and avoid leaving the laundry in the open air from 7 to 10 in the morning and from 16 to 20. If we want to iron the most beautiful items of the layette, no contraindications but products that facilitate ironing are prohibited.