Baby clothes get washed constantly. Between spit-up, blowouts and whatever was in that pouch, a favorite bodysuit can go through the machine several times a week. The good news is that a few small habits keep printed designs bright and soft for much longer, whether it is a name shirt you want to save or an everyday tee.
Always check the care label on your garment first. The steps below are general guidance that suits most printed cotton and cotton-blend baby and kids' clothing.
The quick version
- Turn it inside out.
- Wash cold on a gentle or normal cycle.
- Use a mild detergent and skip bleach.
- Tumble dry low or hang to dry.
- Never iron directly on the print.
Washing, step by step
Turn printed clothes inside out
The print is on the outside, so that is the side that rubs against zippers, jeans and other clothes in the drum. Turning it inside out is the single easiest way to protect it.
Use cold water
Cold water is gentler on printed designs and on fabric, and it helps prevent cotton from shrinking. It is also better for many common baby stains, as hot water can set protein stains like milk and formula.
Choose a mild detergent
Many parents use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent for baby clothes anyway. Measure it: too much detergent can leave residue that makes fabric feel stiff.
Skip bleach and go easy on fabric softener
Bleach can fade or damage colors and prints. Fabric softener can build up on printed areas over time, so use it sparingly or not at all.
Wash with similar items
Wash printed tees with other soft, light items rather than heavy towels or jeans, which cause more friction.
Drying
- Low heat is best if you use a dryer. High heat is harder on prints and more likely to shrink cotton.
- Hang or lay flat for the longest life, especially for special pieces like a first birthday shirt.
- Remove promptly so clothes do not sit crumpled in a warm dryer.
Ironing
If a shirt needs a press for photos, keep it inside out and iron on low, or place a thin cloth between the iron and the design. Never put a hot iron directly on the print.
Treating common baby stains
- Milk, formula and spit-up: rinse in cold water as soon as you can, then wash as usual.
- Baby food: scrape off what you can, rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water, then pre-treat.
- Blowouts: rinse cold first. Avoid hot water until the stain is gone.
- Pre-treating near a print: test a stain remover on an inside seam first, and dab rather than scrub over the design.
Keeping special pieces for later
Some shirts are keepsakes: the pregnancy announcement bodysuit, the first birthday shirt with their name. To store them:
- Wash and fully dry them first. Stains can darken in storage.
- Fold them with acid-free tissue paper or place them in a breathable cotton bag.
- Keep them somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
A first birthday name romper is a keepsake worth caring for
Mistakes that fade a print fast
- Washing right side out with heavy items.
- Hot water and high dryer heat, every single wash.
- Bleach, even "color safe" products on bright designs.
- Ironing directly on the design.
- Leaving stains to set before washing.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash new baby clothes before the first wear?
Many parents wash new clothes before a baby wears them, using a gentle detergent. Follow the same inside-out, cold-water routine.
Why is my shirt's print cracking?
Repeated high heat in the dryer and ironing over the design are common causes. Switching to low heat or air drying helps printed designs last longer.
Can I wash printed clothes with the rest of the baby laundry?
Yes. Just turn printed items inside out, use cold water and keep heavy, rough items like jeans out of the same load.
Looking for something new to wear (and wash)? Browse new baby bodysuits or first birthday shirts.
