Babies have sensitive skin. That onesie your baby wore home from the hospital. The soft little sleepers you reach for night after night. These tiny garments are part of your baby’s comfort and wellbeing. But because they’re often made from delicate cotton blends, organic fabrics, or specialty knits, they can shrink, fade, lose softness, or even irritate your baby’s skin if handled carelessly.
From stubborn stains to stretched-out collars, most baby clothing mishaps start in the laundry room. That’s why it pays to know which habits do more harm than good. Once you spot them, you can replace them with better, safer methods.
Let’s highlight the mistakes that are easiest to fix.
1 of 7 | Using Harsh Laundry Detergents
Many regular detergents contain dyes, fragrances, and harsh chemicals that can cling to baby clothes and cause irritation, rashes, or allergic reactions. Babies’ skin is thinner and more sensitive than adults’, so even small traces of these substances can trigger discomfort. For safety and comfort, parents need to prioritize detergent formulas specifically designed for infant clothing.
What You Should Do Instead
1. Use Hypoallergenic and Fragrance-free Options
Look for detergents labeled “free and clear,” “hypoallergenic,” or “sensitive skin.” These are free from perfumes and dyes that can trigger skin reactions.
2. Avoid Harsh Cleaning Agents
Skip detergents with optical brighteners, chlorine bleach, or fabric whiteners unless absolutely necessary, as these can weaken fibers and cause chemical residue.
3. Test Before Committing
If switching to a new detergent, wash a few items first and check for skin reactions before using it on the entire baby wardrobe.
2 of 7 | Washing Baby Clothes with the Rest of the Household Laundry
Mixing baby laundry with adult clothing may seem like a way to save time, but it can expose baby garments to bacteria, heavy soils, or detergent residues that aren’t safe for sensitive skin. Adult clothes often carry oils, sweat, and environmental dirt that baby skin doesn’t handle well.
Washing baby clothes separately ensures a gentler clean and prevents accidental damage from zippers or heavy fabrics.
What You Should Do Instead
1. Use a Dedicated Laundry Basket
Separate baby clothes from the start by keeping them in their own hamper to avoid mixing with other laundry.
2. Run Smaller, Gentle Cycles
Baby clothes need room to move in the wash, so avoid overloading and choose delicate or baby-specific washing machine settings.
3. Use a Mesh Laundry Bag for Tiny Items
Place socks, mittens, and small pieces in a mesh bag to prevent them from getting lost or tangled with larger items.
3 of 7 | Skipping the Prewash on Brand New Baby Clothing
Brand new baby clothes can look spotless, but they often contain manufacturing residues, excess dyes, or fabric treatments. Skipping the prewash means your baby’s skin will be the first to come into contact with these substances. Even soft-looking fabrics can cause rashes or itching if worn straight out of the store.
Why Prewashing Baby Clothes Is Essential
1. Removes Factory Residue
Prewashing gets rid of chemical finishes, dust, or debris from production and shipping.
2. Softens the Fabric
Washing new clothes before first wear relaxes stiff fibers, making garments softer and more comfortable.
3. Reduces Dye Transfer Risk
Bright-colored clothing, especially dresses or shirts, may bleed dye during the first wash, so prewashing helps prevent staining other garments.
4 of 7 | Letting Milk, Food, or Diaper Stains Sit Too Long
Delaying stain treatment is a fast way to ruin baby clothes. Proteins from milk, formula, and diaper accidents can bind to textile fibers if not addressed quickly. Once these stains set, they become much harder to remove and can leave permanent yellowing or odor.
What You Should Do Instead
1. Rinse Immediately in Cold Water
Cold water prevents protein stains from “cooking” into the fabric, which can happen with warm or hot water.
2. Use Gentle, Baby-safe Stain Removers
Choose cleaners designed for baby laundry, avoiding harsh bleach or ammonia-based products.
3. Presoak Stubborn Spots
For tough stains, soak the garment in a mild detergent solution for 30 minutes before washing.
5 of 7 | Overloading the Washing Machine with Baby Laundry
Overstuffing the washer may seem efficient, but it reduces cleaning effectiveness and can wear out fabrics faster. When the drum is too full, detergent and water can’t circulate properly, leaving clothes partially dirty and causing more friction between garments. Baby clothes, with their delicate stitching and small size, need extra care during each wash cycle.
What You Should Do Instead
1. Follow Machine Capacity Guidelines
Check your washing machine’s manual for maximum load sizes and adjust when doing delicate laundry.
2. Leave Space for Movement
Clothes should move freely in the drum; a good rule is to fill the drum about two-thirds full.
3. Wash in Smaller, More Frequent Loads
Doing baby laundry more often reduces the temptation to overload and helps prevent fabric wear.
6 of 7 | Drying Baby Clothes on High Heat and Shrinking Fabrics
High heat in the dryer can cause cotton and linen to shrink, elastic to weaken, and colors to fade. Baby clothes often have delicate trims, appliqués, and elastic waistbands that don’t handle heat well. Using a gentler drying method preserves fit and fabric quality.
Better Drying Methods for Baby Clothing
1. Air Dry Whenever Possible
Lay flat or hang baby clothes to dry naturally, especially for sweaters, dresses, and items with elastic.
2. Use Low Heat or Fluff and Fold Settings
If you must use a dryer, choose the gentlest setting to reduce heat exposure.
3. Dry in Smaller Batches
Smaller loads dry more evenly and prevent overheating, helping fabrics last longer.
7 of 7 | Adding Bleach or Fabric Softener That Irritates Baby’s Skin
Bleach and fabric softener can leave behind chemical residues that are too harsh for a baby’s skin. While bleach can be effective for disinfecting, it may also weaken fabric fibers. Fabric softeners can coat clothing with a film that reduces absorbency, which is especially problematic for items like bibs and towels.
Safer Alternatives to Bleach and Fabric Softener
1. Use Oxygen-based Bleach for Whites
If whitening is necessary, oxygen bleach is gentler and less likely to damage fibers.
2. Replace Fabric Softener with Dryer Balls
Wool or silicone dryer balls soften fabrics naturally without adding chemicals.
3. Add Vinegar to the Rinse Cycle
White vinegar can help remove detergent residue and naturally soften fabrics without irritating skin.
Keep Every Baby Outfit Fresh – Call Troy Cleaners for Gentle Laundry Care!
Your baby’s clothes deserve the same level of care you’d give to their skin: gentle, safe, and handled with expertise. At Troy Cleaners, we’ve spent years perfecting our laundry process to prevent the very mistakes that shrink, fade, or damage delicate items. From everyday onesies to heirloom-quality blankets, our laundry service keeps every piece soft, clean, and ready to wear. We don’t just wash, we preserve the quality and comfort your baby needs.
Don’t wait until a favorite outfit is ruined or a stubborn stain sets in for good. Call Troy Cleaners today at (810) 985-7111 or stop by one of our convenient locations in Port Huron, Shelby Township, or Lapeer.
With our FREE Pickup and Delivery Service, we make it effortless for busy parents to protect their baby’s wardrobe. Let our team give you peace of mind, knowing every item is cleaned the right way, the first time.
