Bamboo Baby Clothes: Washing & Care Guide

Bamboo Baby Clothes

Bamboo fabric is made up of the bamboo plant pulp. This material is gentle and breathable, making it the best fit for babies. There are three different types of bamboo plants, including bamboo viscose (or rayon), lyocell, and linen. Bamboo viscose is not ideal for babies due to chemical processes and toxic solvents. Lyocell and linen bamboo clothes are best for babies as they are manufactured through a closed-loop system and mechanical processes. Lyocell is eco-friendly, and linen is the organic form of bamboo fiber. This fiber is hypoallergenic with increased durability. It is soft like silk and allows the air to pass through it to avoid irritation in babies. Washing the bamboo baby clothes requires suitable detergents and techniques. Poor washing method leads to loose threads and a textured look.

Which Detergent Is Safe for Bamboo Baby Clothes?

Here are the three types of detergents that are safe for bamboo baby clothes:

  1. Mild & Hypoallergenic: Hypoallergenic detergent is dye and fragrance-free. It does not contain any irritating chemicals that stick to threads and cause rashes in babies after sweating. 
  2. No Harsh Additives: It does not contain any additives like phosphate, sulfate, or bleach that cause a reaction on the skin. These additives fade the color of baby clothes and also get absorbed into the skin.
  3. Liquid Preferred: Prefer liquid detergent over powder ones because they blend well with water. They do not leave any residue stuck on clothes under the beads. Liquid detergents are easy to wash away compared to powder ones.

What Is the Best Water Temperature for Washing Bamboo Fabric?

Here are the three temperature recommendations for washing bamboo fabric:

  1. Cold or Lukewarm: Cold or lukewarm water under 30 °C is an ideal temperature to wash baby clothes with minimal stains on them. It preserves the original color of the clothes and does not affect the threads. This water temperature is not recommended for heavily solid clothes.
  2. Warm Water: Warm water under 30 to 60 °C is suitable to remove the heavily soiled stains and milk stains from baby clothes. It sanitizes the clothes and weakens the fabric to remove loose dirt particles.
  3. No Hot Water: This is the standard water temperature for washing baby clothes. It is not too cold to weaken the fiber and too hot to tear it away. This water saves energy consumption, protects water, helps in stain removal, and reduces wrinkles on clothes.

How to Wash Bamboo Baby Clothes?

Here are two ways to wash bamboo baby clothes:

  1. Machine Wash: Set a gentle cycle (spin speed), measure and pour the required detergent into the machine. Put the clothes in the machine following the two-thirds of the thumb rule. Use the mesh bag to wash the mini socks, bibs, and zip clothes of babies. Spin the machine again when washing greasy or solid clothes. Squeeze out the water and rinse them with clear water to remove all the detergents. Don’t use any softener as they cause a chemical reaction in kids.
  2. Hand Wash: Take a bucket and fill it with lukewarm water. Put the recommended amount of detergent to avoid fading. Stir them thoroughly until the detergents mix well and there are no residues left behind (powder). Put the bamboo baby clothes into this bucket and allow them to sit for 10–15 minutes. Wash them with clear running water to remove all the soiled detergents. Don’t wrangle or squeeze the baby clothes with high force, as it leaves wrinkles. Push them against the basin or floor to remove water and allow them to dry in the open air.

How Should You Dry and Iron Bamboo Baby Clothes?

Here are the four tips to dry and iron bamboo baby clothes:

  1. Air-Dry in Shade: Hang clothes in shade to shield them from direct sunlight. Shade preserves their original colors and protects baby clothes from fading. 
  2. Flat Drying: Flat drying is the method of drying clothes on a flat surface instead of hanging them. Flat drying avoids stretching and wrinkles in clothes. Reshape the collar, sleeves, and shirt before spreading them down.
  3. Wrinkle Care: Don’t squeeze the clothes forcefully, as it leaves behind wrinkles and also affects the threads. Bamboo fabric is wrinkle-resistant to some extent compared to cotton due to its silk-like texture. Store the baby bamboo clothes after drying to protect them from even minor wrinkles.
  4. Low-Heat Iron: Use low-heat steam to iron bamboo clothes. It catches heat and is prone to burns due to its soft texture. Turn the embroidered baby clothes inside out to avoid messing up the design. Use the extra pressing cloth and keep it between the iron and clothing to stop it from burning.

How Should You Store Bamboo Baby Clothes?

Here are the four tips to store the bamboo baby clothes:

  1. Cool & Dry Place: Store the bamboo clothes in a cool and dry place to prevent bad odour and mildew growth. Don’t store the damp or lightly wet clothes as they affect the quality of the threads.
  2. Neat Folding: Fold the baby clothes neatly to avoid bending or fold lines on them. It gives them a neat look and can be worn straight away without ironing. 
  3. Breathable Storage: Store the clothes in drawers and fabric bags to allow air to pass through them. Don’t allow the insects to eat this away, and keep the regular checks. Keep the frequently used clothes on top and arrange them according to daily needs.
  4. No Direct Sunlight: Keep bamboo clothes away from direct sunlight as it fades their original colors and makes them dull. 

What Special Care Tips Help Maintain Bamboo Baby Clothes?

Here are the four tips to maintain the bamboo clothes:

  1. Immediate Stain Care: Use Vingear, salt, baking soda, or lemon to remove stains immediately. Rub them until the stain appears light, and then rinse them with mild detergent. Dip the stained clothes in lukewarm water and don’t use any hard-bristle brush.
  2. Limit Washing: Don’t wash clothes in machines too often, as they lose their shine and fresh look over time. 
  3. No Fabric Softeners: Restrict the use of fabric softeners. They contain heavy chemicals and fragrances that irritate the skin of child and affect their lungs.
  4. Frequent Washes: Wash the bibs, towels, socks, and burp clothes of the baby quickly to avoid stains.