Key TakeAways
- It is important to know how to wash winter clothes with and without a machine to ensure they last longer without losing shape or softness.
- Bamboo fabric, cotton, and muslin are ideal for inner layers, while fleece and wool are suitable for outer layers.
- Use mild detergent and rinse thoroughly after washing to remove any detergent residue. Never use fabric softener or fragrances on baby clothes.
- Use cold water to wash the baby's winter clothes. It is best to wash all baby clothes in a separate load.
- To store these winter clothes, use breathable storage bags and add silica gel pouches to avoid moisture retention.
In This Article
Understanding Baby Winter Fabrics
How to Wash Baby Winter Clothes
How to Store Baby Winter Clothes
Clothing Safety Tips for Winter Care
Parent Checklist: Baby Winter Clothing Care
When to Replace Winter Clothes
FAQs on how to wash winter clothes
Introduction
Keeping your baby warm, comfortable, and safe through the cold months often starts with choosing the right baby winter clothes. You have purchased the best quality newborn baby winter clothes, but do you know how to wash winter clothes in a washing machine?
Winter fabrics can be thicker, softer, and more delicate than regular clothing, which means they need extra attention. So, knowing how to properly wash winter clothes is important.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything from how to wash winter clothes, how to dry them, the care of winter clothes, and even when it’s time to replace them.
Understanding Baby Winter Fabrics
There are a few fabrics that are used to make winter clothing for babies. Baby winter clothing is typically made from:
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Bamboo Fabric
Bamboo fabric is naturally warm yet breathable, helping regulate temperature well. It’s hypoallergenic and extremely soft, making it especially good for newborn skin. Bamboo fabric is best for the inner layers of baby winter clothes.
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Fleece
Fleece is warm, soft, and lightweight, making it great for keeping babies cozy without adding bulk. However, because it’s not very breathable, it’s best for outer layers only.
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Wool
Wool provides excellent insulation and naturally regulates temperature, so it keeps babies warm without overheating. But ensure you use organic wool like baby-grade merino.
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Cotton Blends & Muslin
Cotton blends and muslin are breathable and gentle on skin, but they don’t trap heat as efficiently as fleece or wool. These are usually used for layering in winter to keep a baby warm yet comfortable.
How to Wash Baby Winter Clothes
Now that we have discussed the various fabrics used to make baby clothes, let’s talk about washing winter clothes.
1. Choose a gentle detergent
Harsh detergents can not only make the fabric rough but also leave residue on the clothes, which can irritate your baby. Choose gentle liquid detergents to wash the clothes.
2. Pre-wash checks
Before washing, check for snags or loose buttons. Also, wash your baby's winter clothes separately from your clothes, as the hooks or buttons may snag the fabric.
From baby nappies to baby winter blankets, all should be washed separately from adult clothes.
3. Water temperature and settings
Wash the newborn baby's winter clothes in cold water. Warm water can stretch the clothes, and ill-fitting clothes are not ideal for infants. Cold wash routine for winter garments helps retain shape, softness, and colour, especially for infant clothing.
How to Dry Baby Winter Clothes
To dry the baby winter clothes, it is best to let them air dry by hanging or laying them down on a flat surface.
Do not wring or tumble dry these clothes. It is important for softness retention in fleece and knits.
How to Remove Common Winter Stains
Common winter stains can include milk or food stains, oil stains from baby massages, or spills/snot.
To remove these stains:
- Milk stains: Pre-soak in cold water and rub off with hands
- Food stains: Use a gentle stain remover before washing
- Oil/cream: Dab with baking soda before washing
How to Store Baby Winter Clothes
At the end of winter, you’ll need to store the baby’s winter clothes. So, here are the guidelines to safely store baby clothes:
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Keep clothes dry
Before storing, ensure the clothes are washed and completely dry. Moisture can cause mold or fungal growth when stored.
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Breathable storage bags
Instead of wrapping baby clothes in newspapers or polybags, use breathable storage bags. This will allow air flow, avoiding a musty smell from the clothes.
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Fold padded items correctly
Just as how drying method for padded winter layers is different, folding them is also different. Never fold across the padding, as it will leave creases, damaging the padding.
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Avoid moisture buildup
Drying and using breathable storage bags will avoid moisture buildup in the baby's winter clothes. However, for additional protection, in a jute or cotton pouch, add some silica gel packets. These absorb moisture from your wardrobe and prevent any moisture buildup.
Clothing Safety Tips for Winter Care
Here are a few winter clothing care tips you should know:
- Avoid overdressing your baby, as babies overheat easily.
- Make sure the first layer that touches the baby’s body is breathable, like bamboo cotton.
- Check for loose threads, buttons, or embellishments regularly.
- Opt for breathable fabrics like bamboo to prevent rashes.
- Keep detergents and stain removers mild.
- Do not use fabric softeners or other heavily fragranced materials.
- Always rinse the baby's clothes thoroughly to ensure no detergent residue is present.
Parent Checklist: Baby Winter Clothing Care
- Check labels
- Pick soft detergents
- Choose the correct water setting
- Handle delicate fabrics gently
- Prefer air drying in shade
- Store in clean, dry spaces
When to Replace Winter Clothes
Look for these signs that indicate you need to replace your baby’s winter clothes:
- Pilling: Pilling can be a sign that it is time to discard the clothing. Piling can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Bamboo fabric is naturally resistant to piling if cared for properly.
- Shrinkage: Shrinking often happens when you wash clothes in hot water. However, since your child is growing, clothes that no longer fit need to go.
- Stretched cuffs: Sleeves that lose shape can let in cold air, so replace these clothes.
- Worn-out: There will be signs like fading, thinning, losing insulation, or tearing. These are clear indications that you need to replace winter clothes.
Natural fibers like bamboo often outlast traditional cotton because they resist pilling and stay soft through multiple washes. You can find newborn baby towels, swaddles, newborn winter sleeping bags and bamboo clothes online in India at Cocoon Care.
FAQs on how to wash winter clothes
1. Can baby fleece be machine-washed?
Yes, you can wash fleece on a gentle cycle using mild detergent. Just make sure you wash it separately from adult clothes and do not tumble dry.
2. How often should a baby's winter clothes be washed?
Wash baby clothes every day or as often as they get dirty. Inner layers may need daily washing; outer layers can be washed less frequently unless soiled.
3. How to prevent wool from shrinking?
To prevent wool from shrinking, avoid using hot water while washing your baby’s woollen clothes. Cold water will help retain its shape.
4. How to keep fleece soft after washing?
Firstly, good quality fleece will remain soft after washing, so choose baby-safe, high-quality fleece. Secondly, do not use any fabric softeners. They can form a layer on the fabric and cause irritation. Simply use mild detergent and cool water to clean the fleece without making it rough.
5. Can padded jackets go into the dryer?
The drying method for padded winter layers is different. Let it air dry in indirect sunlight instead of putting it into the dryer.
6. Is muslin cloth suitable for a baby during winter?
Bamboo muslin clothes are the best for a breathable inner layer during winter. They are hypoallergenic and do not irritate the skin..
Related blogs
- Best fabric for baby winter clothes
- Fabrics for babies
- Types of bamboo fabric for baby clothing
- Best fabric for winter baby quilts
With Love, from Cocoon Care
Dear Parent,
No matter where you are, your baby deserves gentle beginnings and comforting care. At Cocoon Care, we pour love into every stitch. From soft muslin baby swaddles to cozy sleep pods and thoughtfully made newborn clothing, our essentials hold your baby with the same tenderness as you do. You can find baby essentials on our website and also on Amazon, Firstcry, Myntra, Nykaa Fashion and DuckDuck baby.
Because every baby deserves to be cocooned in care.
About the Author: The Cocoon Care Editorial Team works with pediatric consultants and experienced parents to bring you baby care tips you can trust.
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