How to properly care for children's clothes

Children's clothing comes into direct contact with children's skin. Some parts kids even suck in their mouths.

Children's skin is much softer compared to ours. The skin of newborns is even 5 times thinner.

Improper materials, detergents and cuts can therefore cause serious health problems, including:

• dry skin
• eczema
• red or dry spots on the hands, face, back and chest of the child
• blisters on the skin
• tearing eyes
• breathing problems
• coughing
• irritated skin from inappropriate cuts, thick rubber bands
• scabs

Before first use

What to focus on before we dress a child for the first time in a given outfit?

1. Material

First of all, you need to check the materials from which the clothes are made. According to this, we can find out whether these are natural materials such as cotton, flax, bamboo, or materials with various additives. Some clothes can even be made from 100% man-made fibres.

For newborns and babies, we should choose natural materials. They are breathable, anti-allergic and do not irritate children's skin.

2. Cut

Check the cut and sewing of clothes.

• Waistbands should hold but should not be too tight.
• Buttons should be well sewn so that the child does not loosen them and do not harm them.
• Press studs should be positioned correctly and no sharp metal parts should protrude from them.
• Zipper should be finished with a cover to prevent it from catching baby's skin.

3. Safety

In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on the safety and quality of materials. This is because some materials can be made, coloured and treated using unsuitable substances. Something that does not interfere with the skin of an adult, because he can deal with it, can be dangerous for a child.

The European Union therefore has strict requirements for clothing for newborns and children. The final products or materials from which they are made should be Oeko-Tex ® Standard 100 class 1 certified.
Therefore, check the manufacturer or importer when buying donated clothes. If you are unsure, try asking the seller.

4. First use

Moms often address the question of whether children's clothes need to be washed before first use, They hesitate, as it is fragrant, beautifully ironed and folded.

The answer is clearly YES. You never know the conditions under which clothes were stored, how they were transported and how many hands touched it before they got into your closet. Therefore, wash children's clothing in baby powder before first use.

Taking care of baby clothes

Taking care of children's clothes is not just about washing and ironing. It is also about a suitable detergent, method of ironing or drying, storage and warehousing.

Washing

• clothes must be washed before first use
• choose a suitable washing powder
• read tags and recommendations from vendors and manufacturers
• separate clothes by colour and type (children's clothes and clothes for adults must be washed separately)

Washing powder

Children's detergents do not contain synthetic substances and irritating perfumes.

• Thorough rinsing is important.
• Apply small amount of vinegar to the washing machine, it has disinfectant effects.
• Detergents for children's clothing should be used at least until the child is one year old.

Washing temperature

The clothes tag says at what temperature we can wash the clothes so that they are not damaged.

• Most common bacteria, fungi and other germs do not survive a 40 °C wash.
• However, the mites are killed at a temperature of about 58 °C.
• Washing at 90 °C is used by underwear and cloth diapers to kill faecal bacteria.

Stains

Bleaching agents and stain removers are not permitted for children's clothing.

• In this case, gall soap will help. We apply it directly to the stain, let it stand, then wash it.
• Baking soda and vinegar. They remove stains and odours from clothes.
• Oxygen-enriched laundry salt (available from drugstores or online).

Ironing

Do you know the meaning of pictograms? Do you know when to iron children's clothes?

• Experts advise ironing children's clothes for at least the first few months of a baby's life.
• Ironing helps get rid of bacteria on clothes.
• After ironing, the clothes will be softer and more comfortable.
• Baby clothes need to be ironed from the inside.
• The dryer will make working with ironing easier. However, not all garments can be dried in this way.

Clothing storage

Bodysuits, rompers, tights and sweaters have already been washed and ironed. Now, get them to the closet. But even the way of storing can prolong their life.

Some pieces are better to fold and others to hang.

• Knitted sweaters and pullovers are better to fold. On hangers, they could stretch out of shape.
• The pieces made of flax are better to hang and leave space between them so that they do not crumple.
• It is a good idea to put your underwear in one place. Drawers and drawer dividers are excellent for this.
• For larger children who are already choosing their pieces of clothes themselves, it is good to have smaller piles of clothes arranged that children do not disrupt when choosing clothes.
• Store only well-dried or ironed clothes in the closets.