Wash your baby's new clothes before they wear them for the first time, usually at 30 or 40°C if the care label allows, using the correct amount of detergent, preferably fragrance-free. There is generally no need to wash your baby's clothes separately from the rest of the family's laundry.
Key Takeaways
- First wash: Wash new baby clothes once before their first use.
- Temperature: Wash everyday clothes at 30–40°C according to the care label. Use a wool cycle for woollen textiles, and wash at 60°C only when necessary and permitted.
- Detergent: Use the recommended amount of detergent, preferably fragrance-free. Avoid bleach for everyday washing.
- Fabric softener: Generally unnecessary, so you can simply leave it out.
- Separate laundry: Not usually necessary, except for heavily soiled items.
Why Does Baby Clothing Need a Little Extra Care?
A newborn's skin is thinner than an adult's, and its protective barrier is still developing.
This means that babies may react more easily to detergent residues, fragrances or substances used in textile finishing.
The aim is not to sterilise every item of clothing, but to ensure that it is thoroughly rinsed and to avoid unnecessary products.
Should You Wash New Baby Clothes Before Use?
Yes. Wash all new items that will come into contact with your baby's skin before their first use, including bodysuits, pyjamas, baby sleeping bags, hats, bedsheets and pillowcases.
This first wash helps remove residues from manufacturing, dyeing and handling during transport. It can also help soften the fabric.
Outerwear, such as coats, can usually wait.
Always adapt the first wash to the material. For example, a baby sleeping bag containing wool should be washed on a wool cycle rather than at 40°C.
If you are preparing your hospital bag, many parents wash their baby's first outfits a few weeks before the due date, during the third trimester.
Once washed, store the clean clothes somewhere dry and protected from dust.
What Temperature Should You Wash Baby Clothes At?
| Type of laundry | Recommended temperature |
|---|---|
| Bodysuits, pyjamas and sleepsuits | 30–40°C, according to the care label |
| Clothes soiled by spit-up or nappy leaks | 30–40°C after pre-treating, or 60°C if necessary and permitted |
| Bedsheets, pillowcases and bibs | According to the care label; 60°C particularly when hygiene requirements or a dust mite allergy justify it |
| Reusable nappies | Follow the manufacturer's instructions, often 60°C |
| Textiles containing wool | Wool cycle, generally at 30°C if the care label allows |
For people with dust mite allergies, washing temperature can make a difference.
In a study published in 2008, washing at 60°C killed all the dust mites tested, compared with just 9.6% at 40°C.
However, this does not mean that all baby clothes need to be washed at 60°C.
For more advice, read our article How Often Should You Wash Children's Bedding?
Always check the care label before increasing the washing temperature.
Cotton generally washes well in a machine, but it can shrink at higher temperatures. Read our tips on how to prevent 100% cotton clothes from shrinking.
Avoid washing baby clothes at 90 or 95°C. Such high temperatures are unnecessary for everyday laundry and can damage the fibres.
Should You Wash Baby Clothes Separately?
No, this is generally unnecessary, even for newborns.
You can wash your baby's clothes together with the rest of the family's laundry from birth, provided you use the correct amount of a detergent that everyone tolerates well.
Simply wash heavily soiled items separately, such as reusable nappies or dirty work clothes, along with any garments that may transfer dye.
What Detergent Should You Use for Baby Clothes?
Regular laundry detergent is suitable if your baby's skin does not react to it. You do not necessarily need a detergent specifically marketed for babies.
To reduce the risk of irritation, preferably choose a fragrance-free detergent and follow the recommended dosage.
Using too much detergent can leave more residue in the fabric.
If you notice redness or skin irritation, try switching to a detergent without fragrances or dyes. If the symptoms persist, ask your paediatrician for advice.
Avoid bleach and harsh stain removers for everyday washing.
For milk or purée stains, rinse the affected area promptly with cold water, then gently rub it with a mild soap before washing.
Should You Use Fabric Softener on Baby Clothes?
Fabric softener is generally unnecessary for baby clothes.
Some products contain fragrances or preservatives that may irritate sensitive skin. They can also reduce the absorbency of certain textiles.
You can therefore leave fabric softener out without any problems.
Thorough rinsing and air drying are generally enough to keep baby clothes soft and comfortable.
How Often Should You Wash Baby Clothes?
There is no fixed rule. It mainly depends on how dirty the clothes become.
Change bodysuits and pyjamas whenever they are dirty or damp. With newborns who frequently spit up milk, this may mean changing them every day.
Clothes that do not come into direct contact with the skin can often be worn for longer.
Baby sleeping bags should be washed whenever they become dirty, damp or develop an odour.
Otherwise, the washing frequency depends on how they are used and the manufacturer's care recommendations.
Having two baby sleeping bags is particularly practical: your baby can use one while the other is drying.
Do You Need to Iron Baby Clothes?
No, ironing baby clothes is not necessary.
Clothes that have been properly washed and thoroughly dried are clean.
Ironing can make garments look neater, but it does not replace washing them.
Zizzz Baby Bedding and Textiles
At Zizzz, our baby products are made from natural materials, including organic cotton, Swiss wool and down.
Our range includes:
- Baby sleeping bags designed for comfortable sleep.
- Baby blankets made from sheep's wool.
- Pram sleeping bags for keeping your baby comfortable when out and about.
- Soft toys and comforters made from organic cotton.
Each product has its own care instructions.
Our Swisswool baby sleeping bags, for example, can be machine-washed at 30°C on a wool cycle, using a suitable detergent.
Always follow the instructions on the care label, particularly for products that combine organic cotton and wool.
To learn more about our materials, read our article Why Organic Cotton Is Better for Babies' Skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Wash New Baby Clothes Before Use?
Yes. Wash new clothes that will come into contact with your baby's skin, such as bodysuits, pyjamas, baby sleeping bags and bedsheets, before their first use.
Always choose a washing programme suited to the fabric.
You cannot always know how a garment was handled before purchase, so washing it first is a sensible precaution.
When Should You Wash Baby Clothes Before Birth?
There is no specific deadline.
Many parents wash their baby's first clothes a few weeks before the due date, during the third trimester.
Wash at least the first sizes your baby will need and store everything in a clean, dry place.
Can You Wash Baby Clothes with Regular Detergent?
Yes. Regular laundry detergent is generally suitable if your baby's skin tolerates it.
A detergent specifically marketed for babies is not essential.
Preferably choose a fragrance-free formula and use the recommended amount.
If you notice redness or irritation, try a detergent without fragrances or dyes and speak to your paediatrician if the symptoms persist.
Until What Age Should You Wash Baby Clothes Separately?
There is generally no need to wash baby clothes separately, even for newborns.
You can wash your baby's clothes with the rest of the family's laundry from birth, provided you use the correct amount of detergent, preferably fragrance-free.
Only separate heavily soiled laundry, such as reusable nappies or dirty work clothes.
What Temperature Should You Wash Baby Clothes At?
Everyday baby clothes can generally be washed at 30 or 40°C, provided the care label allows.
For woollen textiles, use a suitable wool programme.
Washing at 60°C can be useful when necessary and permitted, for example for reusable nappies or bedsheets in cases of dust mite allergy.
Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) – Cleaning Baby Clothes: recommendations on washing new clothes before use, washing baby clothes together with family laundry, and why a specialist baby detergent is not always necessary.
- Park et al. (2008) – "Optimal conditions for the removal of house dust mite, dog dander, and pollen allergens using mechanical laundry", Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: study reporting that washing killed 6.5% of dust mites at 30°C, 9.6% at 40°C and all dust mites tested at 60°C.
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