If you buy through our links we may receive a commission at no expense to you. Please see our Ethics page.
With the due date mere months away, as expectant parents, you may soon find yourselves in the baby clothing stores going through racks of tiny clothing deliberating how many sets of vests to buy and how many muslins is too many?
With the baby showers, the visits from the neighbors, and the generous assistance from family and friends, you will also find a pile of hand-me-downs collecting up.
Your next chore to prepare for will be the the task of washing all these little items before the baby comes. I remember finding this such an exciting time with both of my pregnancies and was a lovely opportunity to involve family and friends in supporting me.
If you are wondering if 30 weeks is too early to wash baby clothes, it’s not. 30 weeks is not too early to wash baby clothes. It’s always best to be prepared! As a parent of a premature baby I’m glad I was even though I had to buy a whole lot of tiny baby clothing to fit my early arrival!
You may find yourself at the receiving end of tons of advice and warnings regarding washing baby clothes – including warnings about shrinking and damaging them, or the right time to wash them.
If you are a first-time parent nervously scrambling about with the million different inputs from everyone around you about baby clothes, I hope you will find this article particularly helpful.
Why Should You Wash Baby Clothes?
It’s important to wash baby clothes regardless of them being store-bought or hand-me-downs by someone in your family because you never know where these clothes have been, and who has touched them (if they were in a store), or what has been spilled on them (especially hand-me-downs).
Baby skin can be very delicate and sensitive so make sure you use non- biological washing detergent to reduce the risk of irritation.
Also Read: Best pants for tall skinny boy
iIt’s best to give your baby’s clothes a good wash so you can start off with a clean and worry-free set for your baby. If you are feeling anxious, exited or tired of waiting it can be a good activity to help you and your family feel more prepared.
Is 30 Weeks Too Early To Wash Baby Clothes?
Usually, baby clothes should be washed a couple of weeks before the baby’s arrival. However, this should not stop you from doing it several weeks before, like at 30 weeks, as there are other tasks to attend to before the baby arrives.
Washing them at 30 weeks does have its pros and cons, which are worth considering before moving forward.
Pros Of Washing Baby Clothes At 30 Weeks
It’s a good idea to wash baby clothes at 30 weeks if it’s something you need to finish and quickly cross off the list.
Preparing for a baby is no easy task, and with soaring prices in clothing, and the many many arrangements that follow (hospital arrangements, room decor, feeding equipment, baby-proofing supplies, the list goes on…), it would seem wise to finish off the washing and folding so you can focus on the rest of the process.
Plus, washing clothes close to the due date will mean that you will be doing it while you are heavily pregnant. If you were expecting to hand wash your baby clothes, you might have significant trouble doing it during this period.
Also Read: best pants for baby with big thighs
Even machine washing and folding these clothes will take extra effort during this period when you could be resting. This is a great job to ask your partner, friend or family to help you with, and can be a bonding experience between parents and grandparents and/or supporting community.
Cons Of Washing Baby Clothes At 30 Weeks
You would probably have to wash them again close to the due date if you don’t store them properly and they don’t accumulate dust. Dust is bad for infants.
There’s also a chance that insects could damage them if not properly stored.
For this reason many parents wash baby clothes 3-4 weeks before the arrival of the baby in order to minimize the accumulation of dust on the clothes as they are folded in a closet for only a few weeks.
This way, when the baby arrives they’ll have a set of freshly laundered and clean clothing to wear, with no risk of skin irritations or other complications caused by dust and germs.
Tips For Washing Baby Clothes At 30 Weeks
If you are going to be washing baby clothes at 30 weeks, here’s a quick guide and some tips that will come in handy:
Choice A Good Detergent
A baby’s skin is super soft and open to all kinds of irritation, so you must pay close attention to the type of detergent you use for their clothes.
Don’t use normal detergents as they can cause complications. Normal adult detergent contains a host of chemicals including but not limited to bleach, UV lighteners, and even formaldehyde (yes, the embalming fluid!), and you do NOT want these near your baby’s skin.
You must choose a detergent that’s made for baby clothes, preferably non-scented, with no bleach or fabric softener. The gentler, the better.
Washing Baby Clothes
Once you pick a good detergent, it is important to understand the exact amount that should be used. Residual detergents can also contribute to skin irritations.
Also Read: Can you wash baby clothes in public laundry?
If you are hand washing the clothes, it is advised to use warm water to soak them before washing, and rise 2-3 times to take away any remaining detergent. If you are machine washing, set the temperature between 30-40 C to avoid damage to the clothing, and rinse adequately to account for any residual detergent.
Additionally, make sure to read the advice on the labels for additional measures. This is what ensures that the clothes will NOT SHRINK or be DAMAGED. And do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets in the washing process.
Baby clothes are made with extra light material in order to be breathable, lightweight and comfortable on their tiny bodies.
If you are machine washing, it is best to either select the delicate mode for washing baby clothes (if the option is available) or go for a softer wash cycle to prevent shrinkage or damage.
Once the washing cycle is done, make sure the clothes are completely dry before they end up folded in your closet. Even slight moisture can lead to all kinds of bacterial growth within the folds of the clothes, which can be harmful to your baby.