Drying baby's clothes etc... | ExpatWoman.com
 

Drying baby's clothes etc...

205
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:10

In our apartment we only have a washing machine and usually put our clothes etc outside to dry on a rack. I'm wondering if this is going to be ok for baby's clothes and bedding too or should we dry them inside (to prevent sand from getting on them) or is having a dryer a must?

I'm just worried about chaffing baby's skin or causing discomfort with stiff, air dried clothes and bedding.

205
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 16:30
DC2DXB...I couldn't agree more about a tumble dry for the towels! Ours are always kind of "crunchy". The rest I can deal with, I find either inside or outside our things dry very quickly. And I'm sure you're right that no matter how much I plan, everything will change once our baby arrives.
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 15:20
we've never had a tumble drier (although I have to say that it would've been rather convenient in winter in the UK) and I've only just started using fabric softener again. Realistically, they'll be dry outside in Dubai in a few hours, so there's no real worry there... I just give them a good flick when I'm hanging them out and another one as I'm taking them off - always soft! ... and I never iron... anything. :)
254
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 15:15
we dry everything on the racks on the balcony. including baby clothes and bedding. if i see a dust storm coming, it all comes in. we use charm detergent on DD's stuff and the softener from C4 (forgot the name - its their brand, hypoallergenic, and comes in a concentrate which we then make 3L of softener out of) in her wash cycle. I also dont iron her stuff although i know some who do.... she's never had a rash or skin issues in 4.5mos (touching wood, NOW). I used only cetaphil or olive oil (those Boots tiny bottles) the first month and only water for a bath. After that, mustela wash in the bath, and J&J or Mustela baby oil after - whatever is closest at hand really). CoffeeGal - you can plan or envision every detail, my guess is your little darling is going to change things up on you once they are here. ;) ETA - also grew up in the states where EVERYTHING goes into the dryer. i find since not having one, our stuff lasts a lot longer. I wouldnt mind a tumble dry for the towels though... :( edited by DC2DXB on 02/08/2011 <em>edited by DC2DXB on 02/08/2011</em>
149
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:55
I always line dry my babies' clothes inside as I find the dryer just shrinks the clothes - which they only ever wear for a few months anyway before they grow out of them! I find it too dusty outside.
Anonymous (not verified)
0
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:45
yy to the white vinegar rinse! good for cloth nappies
2782
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:36
Totally personal preference, I don't like extra chemicals so I only wash all our clothes in fragrance free liquid (the C4 one is good value) and never use conditioner. I put white vinegar in the final rinse to get the soap residue out. I do tumble dry towels sheets and baby clothes to make everything soft so not super environmentally friendly at my house but good for baby skin and have never had any rashes or eczema. Not much point in this though if you are going to wash your baby in lavender scented J&J baby wash etc though, I only use cetaphil for my DS. I also unpick the tags off the inside of bodysuits, clearly my wee guy is quite pampered ;). My wee guy had reflux and having a dryer def made dealing with 4 changes of clothes (for me and him) daily a lot easier to deal with, not essential but personally I would think about getting one.
205
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:28
Thanks gals...as to be expected baby isn't even here yet and already worrying! I'm such a Virgo :) I'm relived to know that air drying is fine. In Canada everyone has a dryer so that's what I'm used to and where I lived the first 3 years here had one but not anymore.
2239
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:20
I'd dry them inside now what with the heat and sun fading the clothes and sand etc and they won't get so hard ....just takes 24 hours normally everything would be dry on a airer....put some conditioner onbthem to makecthem extra soft.
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:11
give them a good shake out and they won't be stiff. Babies' skins are still pretty tough - they're not going to fall apart!
 
 

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