Should you wash all your baby clothes, blankets and cloth diapers before use?

I think it's especially important for babies but I usually put clothing I buy for myself in the wash before I wear them only because people in the stores put their hands on everything when their browsing and we never know what kind of germs or diseases they may have.

I washed the clothing beforehand, the manufacturers may put preservatives in them. I learned that when I worked in clothing retail and developed a rash, I've got really sensitive skin.
I'm not sure about the slings, I might not because I know it's a big hassle for some of them and they might not be in close contact with the babies skin, but again, that's depending on the design. If it's close to the face, maybe.
I didn't do anything with the toys, I cleaned them with diluted vinegar when they got dirty.
You will need to prewash the cloth diapers. If you have prefolds, you need to wash, then dry, wash, dry, and finally wash, dry to fluff them up, yep that's 3 times lol. They get kind of pillowey squares on them when they are fluffed up right. If you bought used cloth diapers, I'd run them on hot. Check to see if there's any bubbles when it gets to the agitation part. If there is a lot of bubbles, they have build up and need to be stripped. You definately want to do that before the baby is here, it can be time consuming.

I washed everything, and I still wash and sterilize everything. He may have to live in this world, but they are very sensitive in those first months. So, yes all clothes. I believe it is to wash the chemicals they use to "fire proof" or whatever the clothes. The chemicals can be harsh. I dont think you have to use a baby detergent, but get one without any scents or anything added.

I washed everything for my newborns. I did this because most items seem to be very rough and scratchy and didn't want it irritating my babies skin. I used very mild baby detergents and washed everything separately in the beginning. Clothing always seems so stiff for the baby and I much preferred the soft clothing touching my babies skin.

I don't know if I would go so far as to wash the slings unless you plan on having your baby in them in just a diaper. If you do then yes I would wash them, if the baby will be clothed and/or be wrapped in a blanket then I see no need.

I didn't worry about stuffed animals and such because babies aren't playing with those things as infants.

I sterilized all pacifiers and bottles and nipples prior to use.

I didn't go to this extreme after the first 2 months, but did take precautionary measures to insure that my infants didn't come in contact with as many germs. After the 2 months I felt that they had some sort of immune system, right at the time that they received their first shots. Then I wasn't so paranoid.

I have heard that you are suppose to wash all babies clothes and cloth diapers before the baby wears them. I'm not really sure why that is. I can understand on the cloth diapers. I wash everything before I wear it too though.

I prefer it would be washed first before my baby would use something. In fact, my baby's new stuff for my due was just being washed 2 days ago just to be sure it's clean since when it was sold at the store where I bought it, I'm pretty sure, there were dif'rent hands who was able to feel the kind of material and cloth. So to avoid bacteria, germs or whatsoever that might harm my baby, I had it washed.