Only about 5 weeks to go and I have been getting ready for Judah’s arrival! I guess I have gone into “nesting” mode. Lately, I’ve been washing and drying, washing and drying clothes. This is because besides love, milk, and a dry diaper, I know he’ll need something to wear when he gets here. Well being a frugal blogger and soon to be mama I hope you’d expect nothing less than a post about how to cloth your baby for less!
There are a couple of ways that I’ve acquired clothes for my little one on the way. First, my motto is get it cheap – only if you can’t get it for free! So here’s a few ways you can do just that.
Of course, if you are newly expecting mom you are going to have a baby shower or two, or three, or four…and your guests will love to buy baby clothes, they are just so darn cute! However, most of these clothes are going to be the wee ones that they’ll outgrow in no time. So, it is good to have some other tricks up your sleeves.
First, don’t overlook hand-me-downs. Just because it isn’t brand new doesn’t mean it isn’t good. This is especially true for baby clothes. They wear them for such a short time they often still LOOK brand new. First, think about who you know that has recently had a baby. Often, they are glad to give you items they no longer need, especially if they aren’t planning to expand their family any further. This is one way I’ve gotten a closet full of clothes! I have several friends who have had children before me and we’re happy to share their resources, all I had to do was ask!
One reason why people overlook hand-me-downs is because they may have stains. Formula stains are tough, and often clothes you get may have stains that have been set in (washed and dried). Many people would just toss them out without a second thought. WAIT! There is still hope! Recently, my mom and I rescued several adorable outfits. All you need is a little Biz. Of course, it is always good to treat a stain immediately, but if you’ve received some items that already have set in stains, here’s what you can do:
- Pre-treat the stain (there are several out there: Shout, Zout, Spray N Wash, etc).
- Run the washer with hot water and Biz and leave the clothes to soak (stop the cycle)
- Periodically, come back to the washer and scrub difficult stains. Do this several times while clothes are soaking.
- Leave the clothes to soak for the better part of a day – or even over night
- Finish the wash cycle and then check the clothes for stains.
- If the stain is gone then it is safe to dry them. If the stain is still there, repeat the process again.
Sign up for Freepeats. This is a website that you can give away and get gently used baby stuff. You sign up to be a member of a group in your area and then trade away! You can give away stuff you don’t need anymore as your baby outgrows it, and get stuff you do need from other people in your network. The cost is $4.95 for a lifetime membership.
Another great way to score some cheap baby clothes is to visit consignment shops or consignment sales. There are bound to be several in your community. You can also sign up to be notified of when consignment sales are happening in your area with some big consignment sales, like “Just Between Friends.”
Your last resort is to purchase clothing yourself. And, even then, there are ways to get your baby some clothes on the cheap! First, shop the sales. Many stores have email lists. They are more than happy to put you on their email list to notify you of when their sales are and often they may send you coupons or discounts as well! If you shop online, there are always coupon codes to be had for most of your big retailers. All it takes is a little searching. I have several links on my other blog www.thecentsiblesawyer.com that can help you with this search. Check your local discount retailers like Walmart – and don’t forget the clearance racks!