i always double rinse baby stuff - but i haven't bothered with softener - theory being that if i add minimal chemicals to her clothes, if she DOES react to something i'll know what straight away... but this is coming from the perspective of me having very sensitive skin - i have to use particular washing powders or i get itchy as all get up - didn't even think of it and mum washed soem clothes for me during the fires - every item i wore that she'd washed left me itching like a loon!