Baby Cloth Fleece: Washing & Care Guide

Baby Cloth Fleece

Fleece is a synthetic fabric made up of polyester. It is a lightweight and soft fabric used during winter for warmth. Fleece fabric baby cloth provides comfort and protects them from the cold. This fabric is breathable, which means it regulates the body temperature according to the surroundings. It is a moisture-resistant and durable synthetic fiber compared to wool and cotton. Unlike wool, which looks soft and furry, fleece fabric is textured with tiny bumps. The fabric doesn’t lose its form even after multiple washes, and it’s easy to store for the long term. Baby cloth fleece requires different temperatures and detergents. It is crucial to follow the best tips while washing to increase its lifespan.

Which Detergent Is Safe for Fleece Baby Clothes?

Here are the three recommendations for fleece baby clothes:

  1. Mild, Hypoallergenic Detergent: Mild and hypoallergenic detergents do not contain any harmful toxins or allergic chemicals. These detergents protect babies from rashes and skin burns.
  2. No Fabric Softeners: Fabric softeners contain deadly chemicals like Benzyl acetate, which cause cancer in babies’ skin. These fabric softeners affect the lungs and breathing capabilities over time.
  3. No Bleach or Harsh Chemicals: Use detergents without phosphate or sulfates that cause irritation in babies. Bleach detergents fade the cloth colors and weaken the threads.

What Is the Best Water Temperature for Washing Fleece?

Here are the three temperature recommendations for washing fleece baby clothes:

  1. Cold Water Recommended: Cold water of around 25 °C is recommended for washing fleece baby clothes. It preserves their original color and protects them from fading. Cold water is recommended for washing all types of baby clothes, from linen to cotton and wool.
  2. Lukewarm Water: Lukewarm water of around 30 °C is recommended for washing the stains that are hard to remove. Soaking clothes in lukewarm water removes the dirt stains and minimizes their intensity.
  3. Warm or hot Water: Warm water at 40 °C is suitable only for heavily soiled clothes. It does not suit all types of clothes, as overheating weakens the fabric and loosens threads.

How to Wash Fleece Baby Clothes?

Here are the two ways to wash fleece baby clothes:

  1. Machine wash: Pre-treat stains with readily available, gentle softeners like vinegar or lemon juice. This method removes stains to some extent and then runs them through a machine wash.. Sort clothes according to theri color and stains. Fill the machine to two-thirds and provide enough room for clothes to move freely. Add the recommended amount of liquid detergent and set the gentle cycle. Extra rinse clothes with free running water to remove the loose dirt or detergent, if any. 
  2. Handwash: Washing fleece clothes by hand is the best method. Handwashing protects the fleece baby clothes from fraying and creasing. Use a bucket and fill it halfway with lukewarm water. Mix the detergent and blend it well with water. Soak fleece clothes for a while and then rinse them with water. Gently rub the stains to remove them or use gentle detergents. Don’t wring clothes and push them against the floor to remove excess water. Spread clothes in the shade to dry because they protect their colors from fading and threads from direct sunlight.

How Should You Dry and Iron Fleece Baby Clothes?

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

  1. Air-Dry Preferred: Prefer to dry clothes in the open air on a clothesline or drying rack. Drying machines leave a lot of wrinkles behind, whereas open air makes the fleece clothes even softer and fluffier.
  2. Low-Heat Tumble: Use low-heat tumble as overheating burns the tiny fleece bumps and ruins the texture of clothes. Tumble is only recommended in emergency cases, as it has many side effects compared to open air.
  3. No High Heat: High heat damages the fabric and weakens threads over time. It reduces the lifespan and quality of fleece baby clothes.
  4. Avoid ironing: Make sure to turn clothes inside out when ironing the embroidered or sensitive fabric. Try to avoid ironing because heat melts the fleece. Fold them neatly after ironing to avoid wrinkles.

How Should You Store Fleece Baby Clothes?

Here are the five tips to store fleece baby clothes:

  1. Cool, Dry Place: Find a cool and clean space to store clothes for the long term. Don’t store damp clothes because they produce a bad odour and lead to mildew growth. 
  2. Fold Neatly: Fold clothes neatly to avoid wrinkles and ironing needs after drying. Don’t pile them roughly on drying racks. Neat folding protects clothes from creasing.
  3. Avoid Compression: Store clothes at an appropriate temperature location. Don’t place heavy items over them as they compress the fleeces and ruin their fluffiness.
  4. Breathable Storage Bags: Use storage bags of fabric or store clothes in drawers. Sort them strategically and place the frequently required ones on top. Many people use drawers to store winter or summer baby clothes as they allow air in and out.
  5. Moth Protection: Clothes-eating insects leave holes in fleece clothes when they are left unchecked for a long time. Use cedar sachets to keep them away. It’s a strong smell that disturbs their nervous system and signals to find cloth pieces. 

What Special Care Tips Help Maintain Fleece Baby Clothes?

Here are the four special care tips to maintain fleece baby clothes:

  1. Remove Lint & Pills: Remove the loose lint and pills with a fleece fabric shaver to maintain their texture. These pills give a rough and bushy look to baby clothes.
  2. Wash Less Frequently: Don’t wash fleece cloth regularly. Frequent washing damages their threads, and they lose their shape over time. 
  3. Spot Clean Stains: Pre-treat the minor stains with baking soda, lime juice, and salt. Don’t wash the shirt after a minor stain on it. Wash the stained area and leave it in the open air for air drying. Fleece and wool clothes are worn as outerwear, so they do not require frequent washes.
  4. Avoid Overloading Washer: Use the two-thirds thumb rule when washing clothes. It provides room for clothes and water to circulate in the machine.