Any ideas on how to clean my 11 month old's blanket/lovey that she sucks on? It stinks so bad, I don't know if that's mildew or what! But it grosses me out that she's sucking on it. I'm afraid to soak it in bleach then wash it because it might still have harmful chemicals in it. My other option is to spend $50 on a used one on ebay!
2007-09-07 03:05:35 · 14 answers · asked by vicki t 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I should have mentioned that I have washed it repeatedly in Dreft and it still stinks.
And funny thing is, she has another blanket but that one has a kitten head, the one she likes has a bunny head.
And of course I would never consider buying a used blanket. That's just gross.
2007-09-07 03:19:28 · update #1
My daughter had a "comfy cozy" that she malled to death too! I asked her pediatrician what would be best to wash it in. She said to wash it with the regular laundry with regular detergent(no chlorine bleach, but color safe bleach was fine. I personally use Tide with Bleach Alternative and it removes stains very well. I rarely have to pre treat stains prior to washing). I washed all of her clothes separate anyway, so to throw it in with her clothes didn't bother me. I ran her clothes etc through a second rinse cycle.
Just something to keep in mind: Not all babies are sensitive to "regular" detergent. A lot of times, "baby detergents" don't remove residue and stains from baby's clothes leaving them smelling sour. That is why I washed hers separately in regular detergent and rinsed them twice to ensure they were rinsed thoroughly.(Of course, not overloading the washer helps too!)
2007-09-07 03:16:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You don't want to wash it in chemicals, but would buy a used one for her. That doesn't make sense. Just take the blanket when she is sleeping and throw it in the wash. If you are concerned about the chemicals just run it through an extra rinse. Also put in 1 cup of plain white vinegar with the soap. This will help with odors too.
2007-09-07 10:11:12 · answer #2 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree with washing it in regular detergent. It works better than dreft to get the smell/stains out. If you're worried, you could always re-wash it in dreft after. (I also use color safe bleach.) Another tip is to use fabric softener sheets. I use Bounce FREE sheets. They don't have the heavy dyes and perfumes.
Oh yeah, one more tool up my sleeve. Came from my 77 yr old grandma! Go look in the laundry aisle for something called "Mule team borax". (Not always easy to find.) It is awesome for baby stains. I keep a bucket in the laundry room to soak dirty items. I pour some of the borax in very warm water and soak. Works great on spit up, poop, etc! :)
HTH!
2007-09-07 12:34:40 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Ryan's mom. Put some vinegar in the wash with baby soap, Dreft, Ivory or some other mild detergent.
2007-09-07 10:13:46 · answer #4 · answered by ninn09262 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would let it soak in the washing machine with a cup of baking soda for an hour or so, and then wash as usual.
That should take the smell out of it and make it fresher.
I use baking soda to clean all of the time, and it really works.
2007-09-07 10:50:37 · answer #5 · answered by haleigh's mom 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
my son sucks on his lovies too and yes they also end up smelling really bad, especially if he happens to be teething at the time. I wash his lovies in PUREX (much cheaper than DREFT) and also use a little bit of snuggle. They come out soft and smelling really good! I would suggest washing her lovies more frequently-that may help too.
2007-09-07 14:11:43 · answer #6 · answered by amandajoan75 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
bleach is fine!!!
bleach actually dries into a form of sodium that is non toxic... just let it go through the rinse cycle twice if you're worried... the smell is more dangerous than her getting a tiny bit of dried diluted bleach!!
it could be mildew... or something nastier and dangerous... really wash it... AND get another one... so she has one as backup as the other one is being cleaned... I'd also recommend drying it in a hot drier twice!! the heat will also kill any residual germs that didn't croak in the wash... :)
2007-09-07 10:12:41 · answer #7 · answered by Tanya 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
$50.00 for a used blanket?! cant u just throw it in the washing machine with baby detergent? I think its called dreft..U dont need bleach
2007-09-07 10:13:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
DEfinately dont use bleach.
Try using hot water and vinegar and soaking it then rinsing well.
Vinegar is natural and it kills bacteria, it also softens fabrics and will rid the smell from her blankie.
You could also try hot water and lemon juice as once again it kills odours and germs
goodluck and happy washing :)
2007-09-07 10:12:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
do not buy your child a used blanket that she is going to suck on. That's like giving her germs from another baby. Just throw it in the washer with baby body wash instead of regular washing powder. Baby body wash is not really harmful.
2007-09-07 10:10:55 · answer #10 · answered by lil_model05 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋