Laundry day is everyday when you have a baby or a toddler. There are food challenges, potty training dilemmas, and those pesky dirt and mud tracks on their knees and bums. While some of us are pretty handy with the tips passed down from grandma, some moms don’t have a clue where to begin! But have no fear; many of these tips can help you gain control of the laundry room again.
Dawn Power
For a money saver just try regular old dish soap. Scrub those stains right out and let the item dry in the sun, you’ll be surprised with the results. Then launder normally.
Citrus Power
If you’re not happy with those results, try some lime and lemon juice. With no harsh chemicals and a cheap effective homemade remedy, it sounds way too good to be true… but it works! Lather and rinse with a mixture of both juices then let it soak up the sun’s rays.
Tried and True Brands
Try newer remedies such as Oxiclean or Fels-Naptha. They are chemically driven to lift those nasty stains out of your baby’s onesie!
Unlikely Duo
Can’t get that marker stain out from your toddler’s arts and crafts clothes? Hand sanitizer and hairspray will be your best friend!
Solar Power
When your whites aren’t so bright anymore you can use bleach or baking soda then use the best “free” drying machine ever made, the sun.
Lemon Power
Make your house smell super fresh by boiling laundry with some sliced lemon.
Ultimate Champion
Want a recipe for a stain remover for almost everything?
- 4 1/2 Tbs Hydrogen Peroxide
- 1 Tbs Dish Soap
- 2 Tbs Baking Soda
Here are some more pro tips to get you through laundry day:
- Use a sponge and liquid fabric softener to create reusable softener cubes.
- Cut a sponge into squares.
- Soak the squares in fabric softener, twist out the excess liquid and toss one into the next load.
- Store them in a container next to the dryer and reuse them a couple of times.
- You will use a fraction of the softener and your clothes will still come out fresh and soft.
- Did you accidentally shrink baby’s favorite shirt? Soak it in conditioner and water for 15-20 minutes. It helps loosen the fabric just enough to be wearable again!
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A must have tip for babies bum explosions…always wash it right away! If you wait too long the stain will seep into the fabric and never come out.
- Huge mess? Don’t be afraid to TRASH it. Sometimes a stain is just untamable.
- If your baby has highly sensitive skin and is having a hard time adjusting to your detergent try Eco-free, Charlie’s Soap, All (fragrance free) or Biokleen.
- If you’re drying a load and it’s taking forever, try throwing in a dry towel. It will generate more heat throughout the load of clothes, causing them to dry faster!
- Refresh unused clothes that have been in the diaper bag all week! Put the items into the dryer with a fabric softener sheet and an ice-cube for a 15 minutes.
- Stuffed Toys Laundry Tip:
- Place toys in a mesh washing bag.
- Set to wash on the delicate cycle.
- While still in the mesh bag, set your dryer to “air dry” or on the lowest setting!
Now that you’ve got the laundry covered, here are six tips for thriving when you have a newborn.
Jenna is a staff writer and production assistant at Creative Child Magazine. She is currently attending University of Nevada – Las Vegas.
