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With all the baby bibs, sleepers, blankets, and diapers, you’re probably doing more laundry than ever before. Use this section to learn how to keep your baby’s clothes clean and safe!
Baby Clothes
Most cotton clothing, including baby jumpers, t-shirts, and sleepers, is made from cotton grown with large amounts of pesticides. Baby bibs made from vinyl (PVC) may contain lead, which can be dangerous to children even at low levels. Fabric like oil-cloth, often used for bibs and highchair covers, is made from PVC and should be avoided around babies.
Try This!
- Wash new clothes before putting them on your baby. Preservatives are often used in the shipping of clothes and can be washed off.
- Opt for materials not heavily sprayed with pesticides such as organic cotton, wool or hemp.
- Avoid buying vinyl or oil-cloth bibs. Instead, purchase an organic cotton bib or try sewing your own bib and highchair covers from natural fabrics.
Laundry Detergent, Stain Remover and Fabric Softener
That fresh smell of lavender fields on your towels isn’t exactly real. But you already knew that. So why do we associate cleanliness with certain synthetic chemicals? Many of the chemicals used in detergents are harmful to our health and to the environment. Monoethanolamine (MEA), a chemical used to enhance the cleaning power of a detergent is linked to asthma. Other common chemicals found in detergents are VOCs, phosphates, chlorine bleach, and synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrance chemicals have been linked to birth defects, cancer, and may even break down our bodies’ defenses against other toxic exposures.
Try This!
- Look for detergent labeled fragrance-free, dye-free, and chlorine-free.
- Make your own detergent. Check out our recipe!
- Use hydrogen peroxide, cornstarch, baking soda, lemon juice, or club soda to remove stains.
- Add white distilled vinegar to your laundry to soften clothes, and use hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach to whiten.
Make A Change & Check It Off!
Pick a change (or a few!) you can commit to making.
✔ Use detergents that are dye, fragrance, and chlorine free.
✔ Make your own laundry detergent out of soap, baking soda, and washing soda.
✔ Remove stains and soften clothes with pantry staples like lemon juice and vinegar.
✔ Avoid purchasing clothing marketed as stain resistant.
✔ Opt for baby clothes made from natural options like organic cotton, linen, or wool.
✔ Look for organic cotton bibs or try sewing your own bib and highchair covers from natural fabrics.
