On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:39:08 -0800 (PST),

New parents are full of concerns about what regular household
activities may pose a threat or present problems for their newest
family member. At some point the question about the best ways to wash
baby clothing will arise. Parents typically ask whether there is a
certain type off detergent that they should use, whether it is safe
to wash baby clothes with the rest of the family's clothing and what
special steps should be taken with cloth diapers if they are being
used.

Detergent

This is a valid concern. It is not atypical for certain detergents to
irritate the skin of adults and older children, so it is certainly
feasible that a baby's tender and sensitive skin can be easily
irritated by harsh detergents. There are several detergents on the
market that are supposedly intended for baby's clothing, but there is
not much difference between them and other mild detergents. The best
choice for parents to make in this area is to purchase mild detergent
that is free from added colors and fragrances and wash the clothing
in that. If the baby does develop a rash or seems to be experiencing
skin discomfort of any kind, the first thing to do is consult the
family pediatrician. The doctor may simply recommend that a different
detergent be used, but will also be able to determine if there is a
more serious problem.

Washing Baby Clothes with Family Clothes

Some parents feel that the baby's clothing needs to be washed
separately from that of the rest of the family. The rationale for
this is that the other family members' clothing could somehow taint
or contaminate the baby's. There is no reason to worry about this
and it is perfectly safe to wash baby's clothes and bedding along
with everyone else's. The exception to this rule is cloth diapers. If
parents are using cloth diapers and washing

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