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  • We live in a condo and share the laundry facilities with the rest of the tenants on our floor. I'm really concerned about washing the baby's clothes in a public washing machine. What are my options? What do you recommend?

    26 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]
    08.11.09, 08:42 AM [ Flag ]

    • what are you concerned about? i think you are overthinking this. really.

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      08.11.09, 08:44 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • given the billions of children who have survived communal washing facilities, i think you're going to be ok. at the risk of indulging ocd tendendies, i can also suggest washing db's clothes after you've washed a load of your own whites with bleach.

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      08.11.09, 08:50 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • Don't think it's a problem, but if you are worried, do a wash with hot water before.

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      08.11.09, 08:53 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • I agree this isn't a big deal. washing the clothes should kill the germs. Dreft detergent is good for newborn's clothes. Your only other option would be hand washing but then you'll have little onsies drying all over the place. The clothes are small but they go through a lot in a day.

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      08.11.09, 08:54 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • If you don't feel comfortable with it, do a bing or google search for manual washing machines. I'm considering one. Most of them are plenty small enough to use and store in the bathroom, they're under $100, and they use less water and detergent than a washing machine. I don't think the laundromat machines would be bad for my kids, but I can do the laundry at home for less money and in less time.

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      08.11.09, 08:58 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • are you allowed to hook up a w/d in your apt? otherwise, it's handwash, communal, or find a friend whose germs you don't mind who also owns a private w/d and ask to use theirs. personally, i think you are overthinking this.

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      08.11.09, 08:59 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • np Don't ask a friend to use their washing machine!! Talk about putting someone on the spot.

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        08.11.09, 09:30 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • I would have no problem letting a close friend use my w/d. I also have no problem with my nanny using it. Of course it depends on the closeness of your relationship, but it is an option for OP.

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          08.11.09, 09:54 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • Overthinking.

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      08.11.09, 09:11 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • um...I'm no scientist but I would be very, very surprised if there were any kinds of germs lurking in a public washing machine or dryer. For one thing, they get filled with churning detergent; second of all, they get very, very hot. I really think that you have zero to worry about. If you want to hand-wash, then hand-wash, but I'd think your clothes will get cleaner in a machine. Seriously though...this is not something you should be worrying about.

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      08.11.09, 09:32 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • this is one of those things that you have to block out of your mind or you won't be able to function. that and why the bakery/deli people put the paper that they touched into the bag with your nice clean food.

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      08.11.09, 09:37 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • oh good lord...this stuff makes me crazy, frankly. Hate that we know have to have the plastic forks at Whole Foods wrapped in plastic because God forbid someone has touched them, the ice cream cones wrapped in paper, latex gloves on all the restaurant people. Does it really make a difference?

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        08.11.09, 09:44 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • yes it does. i try not to think about it too much b/c there would be no end. but i hear where the op is coming from.

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          08.11.09, 09:48 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • so you'll do what most people do who use laundromats - lysol.

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      08.11.09, 09:43 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • Lysol where--in the machine? I hope you are joking.

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        08.11.09, 09:45 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • No joke at all. Not the spray Lysol - that's flammable. Use the bottle of concentrated Lysol cleaner. It kills the few germs that might be hanging out in the washing machines (although mostly it just makes parents feel better).

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          08.11.09, 09:51 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • of course i'm not. people do this all the time - where are you people from?????

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          08.11.09, 10:05 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • you know, this is not a bad idea. why isn't there some sort of anti-bacterial laundry detergent. probably b/c if you wash in hot water it's not necessary. but not everything gets washed in hot water.

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        08.11.09, 09:50 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • And in laundromats, the "hot" water usually isn't hot enough to kill viruses and bacteria.

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          08.11.09, 09:52 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

          • I would LOVE someone scientific to chime in here please--this sounds insane to me. What kind of bully viruses and bacteria could survive and thrive in a washing machine? Most of them are just not that tough. I mean--you wash your hands, right, and assume you've gotten rid of most germs, bacteria, viruses, etc.--how could any similar thing survive a wash cycle? I really, really think that you folks need some other more pressing things to worry about.

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            08.11.09, 10:04 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

          • it's hotter than in your house, and still not hot enough to kill viruses. lysol or dettol work.

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            08.11.09, 10:06 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • I've used our laundrymat for two babies--no issues...

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      08.11.09, 09:56 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • Same here, had a shared laundramat in the building. My mother was concerned and I thought she was nuts. My kids are both just fine.

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        08.11.09, 10:54 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • Haier makes portable washer and dryer and are reasonable have them and have 4 week old and they are alife saver - they have them on line

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      08.11.09, 10:06 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • Do you have any idea how much baby's clothes are washed in condos and coops every day in NYC?

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      08.11.09, 11:05 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
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