Now that you’ve received your Kyte BABY gear and felt the buttery softness of each piece, you likely want to do what you can to keep them in the best shape possible!
Don’t get me wrong, let your kids live in their Kyte BABY clothes! But if you are wondering how you should take care of your bamboo clothing, here are some general guidelines.
Should you wash the clothes before your baby wears them?
Kyte BABY products come pre-washed and packaged in plastic, typically, however it is always a good practice to wash before your child wears them. However, make sure that your sleeping bag and other Kyte garments fit properly before you wash them as they are unable to be returned once the tags are removed or the items are washed.
It is best to store your items by folding them and storing them in a drawer as hanging for a long period of time can stretch the fabric out.
What products should you use/not use?
Detergents that can be safe for use include:
- BioKleen
- Seventh Generation
- Branch Basics
- Ecos
- Hello Bello
- Cheer Colorguard
You can add white vinegar to the wash as a natural fabric softener.
Try to avoid products that contain any fragrances, dyes, or other extras that can irritate your baby’s already sensitive skin. You will also want to avoid anything that has optical brighteners. These are synthetic chemicals added to liquid and powder laundry detergents to make clothing appear whiter and brighter. They are the modern-day replacement for the decades-old practice of bluing—adding small amounts of blue dye to fabric to make it appear whiter.
The brighteners can damage your bamboo clothing or change their color. You may need to avoid using things with “oxy” in them because it can also damage the color.
It is also best to avoid dreft and chlorine bleach for your Kyte clothes. Bleach will weaken the fabric.
If you’re ever unsure, do a spot treatment first before washing the whole item!
Products that could be safe for stain removal include:
- BioKleen Bac Out
- Grove Collaborative
- Seventh Generation Stain Remover
- Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover
- Branch Basics
- Puracy Stain Removal
- Dawn (power spray)/Peroxide/Vinegar
- Sun
Other good stain remover options include:
- For oils: baking soda paste and let it sit for 5-10 minutes then wash
- For berry stains: boil water, pour over stain and stir around with a wooden spoon then wash
- For milk and drool stains: breast milk and saliva are a protein/fat stain, so an enzymatic stain remover is going to be the ticket here. Soak in cold water and Puracy Stain Remover is a great option. Apply the product to the stain, allow it to work for 10-15 minutes to penetrate and break down the proteins, then launder the garment as usual.
How should I wash bamboo layette and clothing?
- Cold water
- Gentle cycle
- Turn off agitator if you have one and it's an option (you may also use a mesh laundry bag to prevent items from becoming entangled in the agitator.)
- With like fabrics or other delicates
- Make sure to zip and/or button up all layette and clothing, then turn them inside out to prevent pilling. Sleep bags should NOT be turned inside out.
How should I wash bamboo sleep bags?
- Cold water
- Gentle cycle
- Turn off agitator if you have one and it's an option
- With like fabrics or other delicates
- Zip up the sleep bag, and make sure it is not turned inside out, to preserve the inner quilting
- Wash in a delicates bag for protection
How do you dry your bamboo clothing?
It is best to lay your clothes flat to air dry as hang drying can stretch the fabric out. A drying rack is a great option for your Kyte BABY clothes!
It’s great to have the drying rack in a sunny area in your home to help speed up the drying time.
You can also dry them outside and the sun is great for natural stain removing, however don’t leave them out too long because the sun does actually bleach clothes!
Open your sleep bags when drying them and point a fan towards them to help drying time indoors.
Guide to Hand Washing
First, pre-treat any stains then turn the item inside out. Fill your sink with room temperature water and add your soap/detergent and mix it in the sink.
Submerge the clothing and use your hands to “agitate” the clothes. Allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Then rinse well and with room temperature or cold water until the items are no longer sudsy.
Remove excess water and air dry!
General care guidelines & troubleshooting
Always check any clothing item for loose threads and snip them when you see them.
If you find that your items feel “stiff” after air drying, experiment with using less detergent when you wash. You can also do a test to see if you have hard water!
Make sure that your clothing is rinsing properly to avoid excess water, especially for sleep bags. You’ll also want to make sure you are washing enough garments together as a light load may not rinse very well.
Why Bamboo?
Because of the softness and smoothness of the fabric, it is ideal for anyone susceptible to skin irritation. The fabrics ability to absorb moisture and porous qualities make it a breathable fabric which also helps regulate skin temperatures. Bamboo clothes resist wrinkling, drape well over the body, and are biodegradable.
AUTHOR:
Ashley Olson is a certified pediatric sleep consultant, owner of Heaven Sent Sleep, and passionate about helping new parents, experienced parents, desperate and sleep deprived parents form healthy sleep habits for their children.
She has over 3 years of experience in working with families and has completed over 150 hours of coursework plus continuing education related to infant and toddler sleep. The focus of her work is on fostering a routine that grows your bond with your child while improving their sleep habits. She specializes in custom sleep plans and one on one support in changing sleep practices!
