How Often Should You Wash Baby Clothes and Muslin Cloths? A Practical Guide

Quick answer

Wash newborn and baby clothes after every wear, muslin cloths and swaddles after every use, and bedding once a week. If your baby has reflux, eczema or a cold, wash anything that touches their skin or mouth daily. A simple baby laundry schedule keeps hygiene predictable without over-washing delicate organic fabrics.

New parents often ask how often to wash baby clothes, and the honest answer depends on what the item touches and how old your baby is. A bodysuit worn all day against skin needs more frequent washing than a dress worn for a few hours over a vest.

This guide gives you a practical baby laundry schedule for clothes, muslin cloths, swaddles and bedding, plus gentle care advice for GOTS certified organic cotton so your favourite pieces stay soft and last through hand-me-downs.

How often should you wash newborn clothes?

In the first three months, wash every item that has been worn against your baby's skin after a single wear. Newborns spit up, leak through nappies and sweat during sleep, so a bodysuit or sleepsuit is usually ready for the laundry basket within a day. Keep at least five to seven everyday bodysuits in rotation so you are never forced to wash a full load at midnight.

Outer layers such as a dress, cardigan or pram suit worn over a bodysuit can often go two or three wears before washing, unless they are visibly soiled or smell of milk. When in doubt, air the item overnight and check it in daylight before putting it back in the drawer.

• Wash bodysuits, sleepsuits and vests after every wear in the newborn stage.
• Air outer layers between wears and wash after two or three uses.
• Keep a small basket for 'worn once but not dirty' items so they do not mix with clean laundry.

How often should muslin cloths and swaddles be washed?

Wash muslin cloths after every use. They go against your baby's mouth, catch spit-up and wipe up milk, so a fresh cloth for each feed or nappy change is the simplest rule. A four-pack is the practical minimum because one cloth is always in the wash, one is drying and one is in the changing bag.

Swaddles should be washed after each night or nap, especially if your baby is in the newborn swaddling phase. Once your baby has outgrown swaddling, a muslin square can still be used as a light cover, a pram shade or a play mat, and it can follow the same after-every-use rule.

• Treat muslin cloths like a fresh nappy: one use, then into the wash.
• Wash swaddles after every sleep session to remove milk and sweat.
• Keep a separate wet bag for used cloths so damp fabric does not sit against clean clothes.

How often should baby bedding be washed?

Wash baby bedding once a week, and more often if your baby dribbles, spits up or has a nappy leak overnight. A duvet cover and pillowcase that sit against the face collect saliva and skin cells, so a weekly wash is a good baseline for a healthy baby.

If your baby is unwell, has eczema or is recovering from a cold, change the bedding every two to three days until symptoms settle. Having two bedding sets means you can strip one, wash it and still make the bed the same day.

• Wash duvet covers and pillowcases weekly at 40°C unless the care label says otherwise.
• Increase to every two to three days during illness or flare-ups.
• Rotate two bedding sets so the bed is never left bare while one is drying.

How do you wash GOTS certified baby clothes without ruining them?

GOTS certified organic cotton is not fragile, but it responds well to gentle habits. Turn items inside out, use a mild liquid detergent without optical brighteners or fabric softener, and choose a 30°C or 40°C cycle with a low spin. Fabric softener coats the fibres and reduces the breathability that makes organic cotton comfortable.

Wash similar colours together and avoid overloading the drum, because friction is what causes pilling on jersey and muslin. If a stain needs attention, treat it before washing rather than raising the temperature, which can set the stain permanently.

• Use a mild liquid detergent and skip fabric softener.
• Wash at 30°C to 40°C on a gentle cycle with a low spin.
• Turn printed items inside out to protect the print and reduce surface friction.

Should you wash new baby clothes before the first wear?

Yes. Wash new baby clothes, muslin cloths and bedding before they touch your baby's skin. Manufacturing and shipping can leave starch, dust and residues on the fabric, and a first wash also removes any lingering dye or finish from the production process.

A single gentle wash is enough. There is no need to sterilise baby clothes, and harsh treatments can damage organic cotton fibres before your baby has even worn them.

• Wash every new item once before first use.
• Skip bleach and disinfectant; a normal gentle cycle is sufficient.
• Wash new bedding before making the cot for the first time.

What temperature and detergent should you use for baby laundry?

For everyday baby laundry, 40°C is a practical default because it cleans well without stressing the fabric. Use 30°C for delicate prints, wool mixes or anything you want to keep looking new for longer. Reserve 60°C for illness outbreaks, cloth nappies or heavily soiled items, and check the care label first.

Choose a fragrance-free or lightly scented detergent designed for sensitive skin, and measure it rather than guessing. Too much detergent leaves residue that can irritate delicate skin and makes muslin feel stiff.

• Default to 40°C; drop to 30°C for delicate or printed items.
• Use 60°C only for illness, nappies or heavy soiling.
• Measure detergent and avoid over-dosing to keep muslin soft.

How should you dry and store baby clothes and muslin cloths?

Air-dry baby clothes and muslin cloths whenever possible. Line drying in shade protects colours, and the gentle movement of the fabric helps muslin keep its crinkled texture. If you use a tumble dryer, choose a low heat setting and remove items while they are still slightly damp to reduce shrinkage and static.

Store clean items folded in a dry drawer, separate from used cloths. Keep a small wet bag or basket for anything that has been worn or used, so clean and dirty laundry never share the same space.

• Air-dry in shade to protect prints and colours.
• Tumble dry on low heat only, and remove slightly damp.
• Store clean laundry away from used cloths and damp items.

Baby laundry schedule at a glance

Bodysuits, vests and sleepsuits

Wash after every wear during the newborn stage, because they sit directly against skin and catch spit-up and leaks. Keep five to seven in rotation so you never run out mid-week.

Muslin cloths and swaddles

Wash after every use; they touch the mouth and face and collect milk, saliva and dribble. A four-pack of wash cloths is the practical minimum for a busy week.

Dresses, cardigans and outer layers

Air between wears and wash after two or three uses, or immediately if visibly soiled. Check in daylight before deciding to re-wear.

Bedding and duvet covers

Wash weekly as a baseline, and every two to three days during illness or eczema flare-ups. Two bedding sets make the weekly change stress-free.

New items before first wear

Wash once on a gentle cycle to remove manufacturing residues and dust. No sterilising needed; a normal 40°C wash is enough.

Everyday pieces that fit this washing routine

• Wash Cloth, 4 pack - GOTS Mix - Sea Garden: A 4-pack of soft muslin wash cloths featuring 2 x 2 Cam Cam Copenhagen prints in green, brown and blue shades. Four cloths make the after-every-use rule realistic, because you always have one clean while another is in the wash.
• Swaddle - GOTS - Rowan: Made from 100% organic, GOTS-certified cotton muslin, lightweight and gentle against delicate skin. A breathable muslin swaddle dries quickly after its daily wash, so it is ready for the next sleep.
• Bedding Set, Baby, 70x100cm - GOTS - Vintage Toys: Includes a duvet cover (70x100 cm) and pillowcase (40x45 cm) in GOTS-certified organic cotton sateen, both with concealed YKK zippers. A matching set makes the weekly bedding change quick, and the zipper closure keeps the duvet neatly in place between washes.
• Long Sleeved Body Holly - GOTS - Augusta: Crafted from soft, stretchy jersey cotton with a ruffled collar and two hidden shoulder press buttons. Shoulder press buttons make dressing and undressing easier, which matters when a bodysuit is heading to the laundry after a single wear.

A simple baby laundry schedule takes the guesswork out of washing: daily for newborn clothes, after every use for muslin cloths and swaddles, and weekly for bedding. Wash GOTS certified organic cotton at 30°C to 40°C with a mild detergent, skip fabric softener, and air-dry where you can. Your baby stays clean and comfortable, and your favourite pieces stay soft for the next child in line.