It seems to defy all common sense: babies and their clothes are tiny, but they seem to generate more laundry than everyone else in your household combined. Seriously, it can feel like those onesies multiply as soon as you turn your back. And on top of all this, you may be concerned about harming the delicate fabric with harsh wash cycles. With this in mind, should you hand wash baby clothes? Because if there's one thing you need more of in your life, it's another baby-related chore. (Kidding, of course.)
Thankfully, the answer to this question is a loud and resounding no. According to Baby Center, you may want to check the labels and only purchase machine-washable baby clothes. Unless your little one is putting on an outfit for a very special occasion, machine-washable is the way to go. For everyday clothes in particular, the ability to drop them in the washing machine is key. Sure, your more delicate clothes probably show some wear after a few washes. But it's important to remember that your baby will likely outgrow clothes before the washing machine can damage them, anyway. For most parents, practical and easy-to-clean baby clothes are a wise purchase.
That said, there are some other ways you can make washing baby clothes even easier. For instance, that special baby detergent may not be necessary. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), most families can use regular detergent for baby clothes with no ill effects. This alone can save you from making an extra purchase. Of course, in the event that your kid has eczema or other sensitivities, it makes sense to use sensitive skin baby products such as special detergents. On the whole, though, most babies will do fine with the regular laundry soap.
Lastly, there are ways to make laundry time work with your schedule. In general, how often you should wash your baby's clothes is up to you. If you have easy access to a washer and dryer throughout the week, then a little load of baby laundry every day may help prevent this chore from overtaking your entire weekend. That said, if you'd rather just do all the clothes on Saturday afternoon, that's cool too. In general, most parents like to approach baby laundry in a way that's as practical as possible.
