Figuring out which detergent to use in your baby’s laundry can save you a lot of trouble and stress.
Tide is a popular option, but you might wonder, can I use Tide on baby clothes?
Tide Free and Gentle is a mild and non-bio detergent that is gentle, and free from dyes and perfumes, making it a suitable choice for your baby’s delicate skin.
To help you with the trouble of choosing a suitable detergent for your baby’s tender skin, we’ve put together this ultimate guide on what you need to know about using Tide Free and Gentle, a non-bio detergent on baby clothes, and a step-by-step guide on how to wash baby clothes if you’re a first-time parent.
What Is Tide?
Tide is a brand of detergent produced and marketed by an American company, Procter and Gamble.
It was first introduced in 1946 and has since risen to become one of the highest-selling brands in the world.
It has an estimated 14.3 % global market. It is widely recognized for removing stubborn stains and odors without damaging the fabric. It has various products that cover adults and children under two.
Ingredients
Tide’s stain and odor-fighting powers are backed by ingredients that remove stubborn stains and absorb odors. These ingredients are majorly classified into three main ingredients which include:
Surfactants
The surfactants in Tide break down dirt stains or grease that wouldn’t easily dissolve in water. This is the stain-fighting factor in the detergent.
Enzymes
Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that break stains into smaller pieces. In addition to the surfactants, the enzymes also break down stains to make it washable.
Polymers
After the enzymes and surfactants have broken down the stains, it may be redepositing in other nearby fabrics. But with the presence of polymers, they prevent this occurrence.
These are the three major ingredients that fight to remove stains from fabrics. But that is not all. Other ingredients work together to make laundry with Tide a wholesome experience.
- Builders Chelants: To lock up calcium and magnesium and prevent water hardness.
- Scavengers: To reduce fading by attracting and trapping chlorine used in water treatment, which can lead to fading over time.
- Perfumes
- Neutralizers
- Hue dyes
- Optical Brighteners
Can I Use Tide On Baby Clothes?
Tide Free and Gentle is a mild and non-bio detergent that is gentle, and free from dyes and perfumes, making it a suitable choice for your baby’s delicate skin.
It is available in powder, liquid, High-Efficiency Liquid, and PODS, giving you various options.
As gentle as this product is gentle for baby’s skin, it retains its stain and odor-fighting powers and can work perfectly for the non-ending cycle of stains your baby keeps getting on their clothes.
With the Tide Free and Gentle detergent, you don’t need any additives or fabric softeners to make your baby’s clothes sparkling, odor free, and snuggly soft.
How To Wash Baby Clothes
Given how sensitive a newborn’s skin is, you must devise a way to handle their clothes delicately to prevent irritating them.
You may wonder if it’s okay to use regular detergent on baby clothes considering some detergents can be harsh.
Even though most of the normal detergents we use as adults can be harsh, some non-biological detergents are mild and gentle for a baby’s sensitive skin. On the other hand, the enzymes in biological detergents can cause skin irritation.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wash baby clothes
Separate the clothes
Mixing baby clothes with adult clothes is not advisable. The toxins you carry on your body are much stronger than a baby can handle.
Not only that, your clothes may require a stronger detergent than is needed for a baby. Separate colored clothes from white and wash them in separate water to prevent discoloration.
Pre-treat Stains
An effective way to get rid of stains is to pre-treat them immediately after it occurs. Stains on kids’ clothes are a regular sight. Poop, food, spit up, pee, or dust will always find their way to baby clothes.
Strip the dirt off and rinse it to remove the stains. If it’s a small stain, spritz it with Tide Free and Gentle detergent and ordinary water to remove the stains.
If the stains are heavier and need more work, soak them in a bucket of water and enough detergent to weaken them.
Choose a proper detergent
Tide baby detergent is an example of a suitable detergent that you can use for baby clothes. Avoid using bleach or other harsh additives to baby laundry. Only use gentle and specially formulated detergents for baby laundry.
Wash and dry
Once you finish the previous steps, gently wash the clothes with cold or lukewarm water. If using a washer, run cold water and set it to a gentle wash cycle and low heat in the dryer.
FAQS
What Temperature Is Best For Washing Baby Clothes?
Clothes come with a temperature limit; sometimes, you may assume that using the highest temperature limit is the best idea.
This may be the best if the clothes are hand-me-downs, heavily soiled, or reusable nappies.
Generally, use 30°F or less when washing regular baby clothes and the highest allowed temperature if it’s reusable nappies.
Is It Necessary To Wash Baby Clothes Before Use?
Even though baby clothes are new and have never been used before, it is important to give them a gentle wash before the baby starts wearing them.
Most of the baby items we purchase spend a lot of time on shelves in the warehouse and can pick up dust, dirt, and other airborne irritants.
When you newly purchase baby clothes, use non-bio detergents like Tide Free and Gentle and follow the instructions on the cloth label to wash.
Can I Use Fabric Softeners On Baby Clothes?
Not all fabric softeners are suitable for baby clothes. Some clothes have a flame-resistant coating that makes them easily damageable.
Such clothes do not require a fabric softener. If you’re considering using a fabric softener to make your baby’s clothes soft and snuggly, try using hypoallergenic fabric softeners like Comfort Pure.
How To Get Rid Of Stains On Baby Clothes
The method you choose largely depends on the type and magnitude of stains. Some minor stains only require a gentle scrub or spritz to remove them. In contrast, stains that are all over may require you to soak for a while before washing.
For small and little spills, dab a sponge, towel, or brush in a neat water bowl and Tide detergent and pretreat it.
Read: Best Stain Remover For Baby Poop
Conclusion
Considering the remarkable record of Tide, it’s obvious that its popularity today is built on integrity and trust.
Not only is the brand suitable for adult clothes, but it also has a range of products for new parents who are looking for a gentle yet effective brand for their baby’s clothes, so if you have been thinking, can I use Tide on baby clothes, your answer is right in this piece.