Thanks to fabric softeners, you can keep your clothes soft and comfortable for a long time.
Fabric softeners are great for most clothes that adults wear. However, you should avoid using them on the clothes of your infant.
Now, if you are wondering why you should not use fabric softener on baby clothes, keep on reading. I have listed some of the reasons behind this in the following short guide.
So, let’s get into it!
Before getting to the topic at hand, it is crucial that you know what a fabric softener is. To be more precise, know what a fabric softener is made from. This will help you see the reason behind not using them more clearly.
If you have used a fabric softener before, then you can check the list of ingredients it contains at the back of the container. You will observe that it is made up of several quaternary ammonium compounds, in addition to surfactants, detergents, and other similar ingredients.
These compounds form a fatty layer over the fabric and loosen the fibers enough to give your clothes a soft and smooth feel. In this regard, most of these compounds are safe if used in small quantities.
Now, you know what the typical fabric softener is made of and how it functions. And despite it being relatively safe in small quantities, it’s better to avoid using them for your baby’s clothes.
If you are scratching your heads at this contradictory statement, let me clear it out for you in the following points.
The skin of a baby is relatively softer and more sensitive than the skin of an adult. So, even if you use the most sensitive fabric softener, it will have chemicals that will easily cause irritation.
Using a low amount of baby softener may not help either. Therefore, it is best not to use regular fabric softeners for baby clothes at all.
Formaldehyde is one of the different compounds used in a typical fabric softener. This compound has been observed to cause mild to severe allergic reactions among adults. So, the effects will be even more pronounced in the case of babies. They may also develop rashes or eczema on the skin, both of which can be very painful.
Besides, in high enough concentrations, it can cause more serious health conditions as well. Thus, if you do not want your baby to suffer from any of this, avoid using fabric softeners on their clothes.
The fabric used to make baby clothes is often treated with flame-resistant compounds so that they can keep your little one safe in the event of a fire. Using fabric softeners on them will wash away these compounds or reduce the flame-resistant properties of the fabric.
As a result, the clothes will become more vulnerable to flames, which can ultimately be fatal for your baby. No wonder many experts advise against using fabric softeners on baby clothes.
So, if you cannot use fabric softeners on your infant’s clothes, what can you use to make them soft? The simple answer to that question is you don’t need to use anything other than what is mentioned on the clothing labels.
A baby’s skin is sensitive to most chemicals, dyes, and scents. That is why their clothes are made with fabrics that are soft enough to keep them comfortable without the need for additional chemicals.
However, there are certain mild detergents you can use, which have been made with formulations suitable for babies. Only once your baby is old enough, should you start using sensitive fabric softeners in little amounts.
Those were the reasons why you should avoid using fabric softeners on your baby’s clothes at all costs.
As a parent, it is quite natural to want to keep your baby safe and comfortable. That is why you may feel tempted to use fabric softeners. But trust me, your baby will be safer without them. Besides, their clothes are soft enough so you won’t need fabric softeners anyway.
With that, I have arrived at the end of this guide. Until next time, I bid you farewell!
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