Baby clothes don't need a completely different laundry routine, but a few adjustments matter more than people expect, mostly because infant skin is thinner and more reactive than adult skin.
Use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent
Standard detergents, especially scented ones, can irritate sensitive skin. A gentle, fragrance-free formula reduces the chance of rashes, and it's worth using even after the newborn stage.
Wash new clothes before first wear
New clothing can carry manufacturing residue and dyes that haven't fully set. Washing everything once before a baby wears it for the first time is a simple, worthwhile habit.
Treat stains early
Baby clothes see more spit-up, formula and food stains than almost any other laundry category. Rinsing or pretreating as soon as possible, rather than tossing a stained item straight in the hamper, makes a real difference in whether it comes clean.
Skip fabric softener on sleepwear
Fabric softener can reduce the flame resistance of sleepwear, so it's generally better skipped on those items specifically, even if you use it elsewhere.
When laundry becomes one more thing
Between feedings and everything else a new baby brings, laundry is often the first thing that falls behind, and that's normal. A recurring home cleaning visit can at least keep the rest of the house from piling up while you catch up on it.
