Wash Your Baby's Clothes the Right Way With These 10 Tips

Some fabrics require special treatment to help preserve them. Sleepwear, for example, is required by law to be flame resistant, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when laundering so you don't compromise the fire-resistant coating.

New clothes can carry extra dye, chemical residue, and bacteria picked up on the journey to your home, Crawley explained. Washing all clothes and blankets before their first use will protect your baby from a possible reaction. "You can even double rinse to help remove more of those extra products for peace of mind," Crawley said.

Between diaper blowouts, drool, and spit-up, your baby's clothes will be put through the wringer. But some stains can be more than just unsightly — they can be breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. "Poop is full of bacteria," Crawley said. "Most household washing machines are set up to wash, but not sterilize." Use a brush or old toothbrush to scrub potential stains with a disinfectant baby detergent before throwing them in the washer. Lemon juice, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and club soda can also be helpful for unsightly stains, like formula.

"Many detergents contain ingredients that may irritate your baby's skin or cause an allergic response," Crawley said. "Choose an unscented formula, if possible." But don't assume you need to go the extra mile and make your own laundry detergent. "There are some solid store-bought options out there," Crawley added. "Dreft has been in business for decades and is highly recommended to parents upon discharge after delivery."

"The chemicals used in fabric softener and dryer sheets can build up on clothing and coat the flame-retardant layer, making it ineffective," Crawley said. But if you really enjoy the static-free and extra softness, go with fragrance- and dye-free versions.

Your baby's immune system is still developing, so washing their clothes separately will spare them exposure to bacteria or harmful chemicals from other laundry. "If not separated, bacteria like salmonella or E. coli could transfer from food prep towels to clothing," Crawley explained. "Or if a family member is sick with the rotavirus or a 'stomach bug,' washing their clothing with a newborn's clothing can also transfer the virus." Plus, separating out your baby's clothing will help conserve your baby detergent, rather than using it for your entire household.

Babies make a lot of mess. While drool, snot, and other bodily fluids may not always be visible on your baby's clothes, they can be breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, so it's best to launder after every wear. "Some bacteria can last for weeks or even months if not properly cleaned," Crawley cautioned.

Soaking your baby's clothes in hot water will kill a lot of germs (but make sure it is HOT). A presoak will also help jump-start the washing process of particularly soiled clothes by weakening potential stains. Or, should your baby's clothes get mistakenly washed with regular detergent or combined with nonbaby clothes, you can soak them after washing to remove detergent residue or kill any bacteria that survived the wash.

There may be something to using the old clothesline and pins. Line drying conserves energy, saves money, and is easier on the clothes, and sunshine works to kill bacteria. But Crawley cautioned that while hang drying in the sun will reduce the bacteria load, the higher dryer temperatures achieved in your machine are needed to sterilize the clothes. Ultimately, she said, "Do whatever works best for your family."

Washing machines can harbor a lot of bacteria, but don't worry — there are easy ways to clean them that include simply running an empty cycle with normal household products like bleach or vinegar. Find a method that works for you, and clean your machine at least once a month.