Pregnancy brings a lot of changes and opens more responsibilities. When you are in this stage of womanhood, you become more vigilant in the simplest things to ensure your growing family is safe and clean; and this includes on how you do laundry to clothes and linens.
Laundry can have an impact on the health of both the mother and the baby, but with the right knowledge, it can be done safely. If you are soon to become a mother, or you are planning to have a baby, it is time to know and explore the best practices for cleaning clothes and linens during pregnancy.
Avoiding Chemicals: Choose Natural Detergents
During pregnancy, it’s important to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, which can be found in many traditional laundry detergents. Instead, choose natural detergents that are free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, and opt for fragrance-free options. If you rely on laundry services, ensure that they use safe and natural detergents.
Sanitizing and Disinfecting: Use Hot Water and Bleach
To ensure that clothes and linens are properly sanitized and disinfected during pregnancy, it’s important to use hot water and bleach. Hot water helps to kill bacteria and germs, while bleach is an effective sanitizer and disinfectant.
Handling Stains: Use Safe Stain Removers
Pregnancy can bring an increased risk of skin irritation and allergies, so it’s important to use safe and effective stain removers. Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals and opt for natural or baby-safe options, such as a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
Laundering Clothes and Linens: Pay Attention to Labels
Pay attention to the labels on clothes and linens, as they contain important information on how to properly care for them. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing, drying, and ironing, and avoid using harsh chemicals or high temperatures when washing or drying clothes.
Special Considerations: Maternity Clothes and Baby Clothes
Maternity clothes, baby clothes, and linens should be washed separately from other clothes and linens. Aside from they may require different care instructions, regular clothes may be soiled and brings bacterial contamination to your baby and maternity clothes. This may lead to health problems. Hence, it is best to handwash your maternity and baby clothes, do not include them in the laundry load you are about to send to the laundry delivery service.
You also have to remember that it is essential to pay attention to the labels on these items. Maternity and baby clothes may have specific care instructions to ensure they are safe and comfortable for the mother and baby.
Final Thoughts
Laundry is an essential task that has a profound impact on the health of pregnant women and their babies. It is crucial for parents (yes, let’s include soon-to-be fathers here), the right knowledge and care for clothes and linens. Laundry has to be done safely and effectively by the use of natural detergents, sanitation and disinfection with hot water and bleach, and safe stain removal. Pregnant women can ensure a clean and healthy home for their growing families if these laundry practices are followed diligently.
