As a working mom, I know the importance of making sure my child’s clothes are labeled. It can be a hassle to keep track of everything, so I’ve come up with a few ideas to make it easier.
The whole process of dropping off and picking up at daycare can be a lot and then add on all the things you have to keep up with, labeling clothes for daycare is one more important thing.
Clothes can be labeled in a variety of ways from iron-on labels, and stickers to permanent and fabric makers.
There are plenty of ways to make sure your little one’s clothes stay sorted at daycare. Check out my tips below about each method and see what works best for you!
Is It Necessary To Label Your Child’s Clothes?
With all the things that go into selecting the perfect daycare, sending milk, and worrying about what your child is doing throughout the day, it can be a lot. You may wonder do I have to label clothes for daycare?
Yes, absolutely.
Labeling your child’s clothes for daycare is a must if you want to avoid the hassle of sorting through clothes from other children.
Every parent has picked up their child at least once with a set of mixed of clothes. While this may not be avoidable 100% of the time, the best way to ensure your child gets their clothes back is to label them!
Take it from someone whose daughter lost their favorite Frozen hoodie, it is not fun to lose a sentimental item, favorite shirt or jacket, etc.
Best Ways To Label Clothes For Daycare
Here are some easy methods to label clothes for daycare.
1. Iron-on labels: The tried and true method! Iron-on labels are the go-to for labeling clothes for daycare. This is a permanent option so you can be sure they won’t come off. They won’t damage your child’s clothes if applied properly. Some types of fabrics, such as synthetics may not accept iron on labels. Double-check on the clothing label to see what material the clothing is and be sure before using an iron on label.
This can be time-consuming, but a little time and work up front will save you from having to replace these labels.
2. Sew-in labels: Another great way to label clothes for daycare is to sew them in. If you are great at sewing and don’t mind, sewing your child’s name or initials can be a great option that won’t come off in the wash.
Sew on labels come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and designs for you to choose from. You can even get custom-made labels with your child’s name or favorite character printed directly onto the label or embroidered into the fabric. These labels are highly durable, washable, and won’t peel off or fade over time – making them perfect for labeling items for daycare!
They do take a little effort to get started, but once you have them all set up, you can be sure they won’t come off easily.
3. Stick-on labels: These are my personal favorites. I ordered a set of custom vinyl name labels from a company named Bright Star Labels. I got around 130 labels for 25 dollars. They offer several packages called the daycare or school package. These packages include a variety of labels for clothing, shoes, bottles, snack containers, school supplies, and more. They have cute designs as well.
These labels have held up well in the dishwasher or while doing dishes. I wash my daughter’s water bottle and Bentgo snack containers daily and they are still looking good and I can see her name clearly.
There are other highly rated labels available via Amazon, here are some examples:
Name Bubbles get a lot of positive reviews.
Label Daddy offers a package of 88 labels in many designs.
4. Clothing tags: Most clothes do come with a wash instruction label or brand name tag so if this is already present, use it to label your child’s clothes. Write their name on the label with a marker. I would suggest using a permanent marker if you want it to stay.
5. Permanent markers: While this may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, it is still a great way to label clothes for daycare. Using a permanent marker like this one and writing your child’s name directly on their clothing is a great way to ensure that your items are returned. It is also a great way to label items that may not be able to accept labels or tags. If it’s the only thing you have on hand quickly this will work!
6. Name stamp: These personalized name stamps are a great way to label your kid’s clothes for preschool or daycare. You can customize the stamp with your child’s name, an icon, or even a phone number. Stamping is a pretty quick and easy one-step process but they do recommend you wait 24 hours before washing the stamped clothing item.
The stamps are relatively inexpensive also, I found a couple for under 10 dollars.
Name stamp 1 | Name stamp 2 | Name stamp 3
7. Fabric pen: The fabric pen is another great way to label clothes for daycare. The ink in fabric pens doesn’t bleed and is made specifically for fabric. These are sold in craft stores or online and can be used on clothing, towels, bags, etc.
While we are here, let’s address socks.
Labeling socks for daycare comes with its own set of challenges as people do not typically sew labels on socks. A fabric pen or sharpie marker is a great way to label socks for daycare quickly and easily.
Another idea is to use these little dot stickers and iron them on if you want to.
Tips On Labeling Baby And Toddler Clothes
If you plan on reselling baby clothes you may want to pick a method where you have a greater chance of removing the label. The marker methods may wear off over time. The stickers, sew on or iron on labels may be more difficult to remove.
Also, place the label in a place that is not as conspicuous if you are worried about reselling the clothes.
If you have multiple kids and plan on using the clothes as hand me downs, it may be better to label the last name instead of the child’s first name. That way the items can be used for any child in your family!
Finally, when sending to daycare or preschool keep all labeled clothes in a plastic ziploc bag or another type of bag that can be labeled. This makes it easy to identify and group the clothes and makes them easier to transport.
In conclusion, labeling clothes for daycare can seem overwhelming at first. However, with a few simple steps and the right tools, it doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Whether you choose to invest in custom labels or use markers and fabric pens – make sure your child’s belongings are labeled properly so they will be returned safely.