When it comes to the health and overall well-being of your child, keeping their environment and items clean is just as important as keeping them clean. From their cute clothes to bottles and toys, each item requires specific care to ensure your baby is safe from harmful germs. How can we keep our babies’ environment clean? Let’s dust the surface and see what’s inside.
Which Cleaning Supplies You Should Use for Baby Items
When cleaning your baby’s supplies, the products that you use are just as important as your methods of cleaning. To protect your baby’s sensitive skin and nature, baby cleaning supplies are specifically formulated without harsh chemicals or fragrances, which prevents your baby from experiencing any irritations or allergies. baby me Surface Cleaning Wipes offer a quick and effective cleaning for plastic and rubber surfaces.
Do’s and Don’ts When Washing Baby Clothes
Washing baby clothes requires extra care, considering our babies’ sensitive skin and how fragile their clothes are. What should we do or not do to keep their clothes as fresh as day one? Here is a list:
Do’s
- Always wash your baby’s clothes separately from adult laundry to avoid any possible cross-contamination.
- A mild baby detergent that is free from dyes or fragrances is the best to prevent skin irritation.
- Pre-treating stains immediately with a gentle remover or a baby-safe detergent saves the fabric from permanent stains.
Don’ts
- Do not use fabric softeners that are not made for baby clothing, as they may leave a residue that could irritate the baby’s skin.
- Do not use bleach or harsh chemicals, as they can damage fabrics, and cause allergic reactions.
- Baby clothes require more room in the washing machine for proper cleaning, so do not overload the machine when washing your baby’s clothes.
Which Temperature Should You Wash Baby Clothes
To preserve the gentle fabric and the bright colours of your baby’s clothes, it is recommended to set the temperature to around 30-40°C for regular loads of baby clothing. However, soiled and stained items might require a different treatment. In such cases, a higher temperature of 60°C is better to ensure germs and bacteria are effectively eliminated.
How to Clean Baby’s Teethers and Dummies
Close friends of our babies, teethers and dummies are used throughout the day and require regular cleaning due to how frequently used they are by our babies. Clean them with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Dummies can be sterilised by boiling for five minutes, or with a UV steriliser to kill germs. Each dummy comes with its unique instructions, so always make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning.
Caring for Baby Bedding and Blankets
Baby bedding and blankets are the essentials of sweet dreams but are also prone to collect dust and allergens. Regularly following a couple of simple steps can help us care for these items and keep them as new as day one:
- With a baby detergent, wash bedding at least once a week.
- Using hot water (around 60°C) helps kill any dust mites or allergens.
- To keep the bedding soft, try tumble drying on low heat. Low heat ensures the fabric does not shrink while staying as soft as a cloud.
- Woollen or delicate baby blankets are prone to more damage when cleaning. Hand-washing or using a gentle machine cycle with cold water keeps gentle fabrics safe.
How Should You Clean Baby Bottles
Bacteria build-up in bottles is a no-no, so baby bottles need a thorough cleaning after each use. There are several methods you can use to keep your baby’s food safe and clean in the bottle.
Boiling the baby bottles, teats, and lids by submerging them in boiling water for 5-10 minutes to sterilise them is an easy, quick and effective way of cleaning. Many different types of bottle sterilisers can also be found on the shelves.
UV Sterilisers kill germs without water or any extra chemicals, offering a convenient, modern and eco-friendly solution. Steam Sterilisers offer a quick and effective method of cleaning your baby’s items.
Some baby bottles are dishwasher-safe when put on the top rack. However, make sure to check the cleaning instructions of your bottle before doing so, and ensure that your dishwasher runs at a high temperature to sanitise the bottle properly.
Baby Toys Cleaning Ways
Baby toys, especially those that are frequently handled or chewed, need regular cleaning to ensure your baby is safe while having fun in the world of toys. For plastic and rubber toys, using a mild soap and water is a sufficient, effective cleaning method. For fabric toys, machine washing in warm water is often suitable. Baby-safe disinfectant wipes offer a quick and effective way of cleaning your baby’s toys.
Methods for Car Seat Cleaning
- Start by vacuuming to remove any crumbs and dirt.
- Mild soap and water are a quick and easy way to spot-clean fabric.
- For plastic parts of the car seat, you can use baby-safe disinfectant wipes.
- While cleaning car seats make sure to remove and wash the car seat covers according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Wipe down the straps and buckles of the car seat with a damp cloth.
How often should I clean my baby’s bottles?
Baby bottles should be cleaned after every use to prevent to growth of harmful bacteria. Ideally, particularly for newborns, bottles should also be cleaned at least once a day. As your baby grows older and their immune system strengthens, you may reduce the frequency of sterilisation, but make sure to continue washing bottles thoroughly.
Can I use regular detergent for my baby’s clothes?
Regular detergent often contains chemicals, fragrances and dyes that can irritate your baby’s fragile skin, so it is best to avoid using them and use detergents specifically formulated for babies. Baby detergents offer a gentle formula, free from harmful additives.
Can I put baby bottles in the dishwasher?
Many baby bottles are dishwasher-safe but it is always safer to check the manufacturer’s guidelines. When using the dishwasher, place the bottles on the top rack and use a hot water cycle to ensure proper sanitation. For extra cleanliness, follow up with sterilisation using a UV or steam steriliser.
