How to wash baby clothes
A newborn's skin reacts to far more than an adult's, so the detergent you choose and the heat you wash at genuinely matter. Knowing how to wash baby clothes is mostly about a few simple habits that keep irritants away from delicate skin. Get those right and the early months are far less fuss. This guide walks you through the detergent, temperature and stain tricks.
Table of contents
The essentials at a glance
Wash every new piece before its first wear: a fresh cycle clears manufacturing dust, dirt and possible irritants.
A cooler 30–40 °C wash handles everyday loads: it cleans well and uses less energy.
A hotter 60 °C wash is for nappies, illness or heavy soiling: the heat sees off bacteria.
A fragrance-free or non-bio detergent suits sensitive skin best: keep it mild and skip softener on absorbents.
Separate loads and treat stains fast: a quick cold rinse stops marks settling in.
How to wash baby clothes step by step
Knowing how to wash baby clothes for the first time means you have learned every load that follows, because the routine barely changes from one wash to the next. Run through these seven steps.
Check the care label for its recommended temperature and wash symbols.
Sort by colour, keeping darks and lights apart so dyes do not bleed.
Pre-treat any soiling by lifting off the worst and rinsing the mark under cold water.
Load the drum loosely, leaving room for everything to rinse freely.
Add a mild detergent, measured to the dose on the pack.
Choose a gentle cycle at 30–40 °C, which suits everyday baby washing.
Dry the clothes, ideally in fresh air, and fully dry before storing.
Should you wash new baby clothes before you use them
Yes. The answer to the question “Should you wash baby clothes before use?” is always the same: do it before the first wear. New garments collect dust, dirt and other irritants between warehouse and home, and that first wash clears manufacturing residues and allergens from the weave.
This matters because a baby's skin is more sensitive than an adult's and reacts more readily to whatever sits against it.
So do you need to wash new baby clothes that only form outer layers? It still pays off to give every new piece a wash before its first wear, from bodysuits and vests upwards, since even an outer layer ends up brushing against the skin.
Washing newborn clothes
A newborn's skin is especially delicate, so washing newborn clothes calls for a calm approach: a mild detergent and a thorough rinse. The goal behind how to wash newborn clothes is clean fabric with as little leftover residue as possible against brand-new skin.
Washing the layette ahead of the birth is a popular choice, worth doing while you have time. Then every outfit sits clean, dry and ready to wear when you bring baby home.
Tip: For the newborn wash, keep the load small and run an extra rinse so barely any detergent lingers against new skin.
What to wash baby clothes with
The question of what to wash baby clothes with comes down to a mild detergent that agrees with your baby's skin. Liquid and powder both work:
Liquid: dissolves cleanly and tends to leave less residue.
Powder: can leave the odd trace when it does not fully dissolve.
A fragrance-free, dye-free formula is the safe default for anything that meets your baby. Where skin is sensitive, many parents reach for a non-biological detergent, since the enzymes in biological ones are thought to irritate.
Even so, the NHS finds no firm evidence that bio powders or fabric conditioners irritate a baby's skin, so treat non-bio as a preference, not a rule. Work out what to wash newborn clothes with the same way: keep it mild.
What temperature and setting to wash baby clothes on
Working out what temp to wash baby clothes on means matching the heat to the job. Most everyday loads come out clean at 30–40 °C. Keep the hotter 60 °C wash for reusable nappies, illness or heavy soiling, where it kills bacteria.
Situation | Suggested temperature |
Everyday baby clothes, light soiling | 30–40 °C |
Reusable nappies | around 60 °C |
After illness or heavy soiling | around 60 °C |
Delicate fabrics (wool, blends) | follow the care label |
Between the two, 30 °C still cleans effectively and saves energy, while 40 °C lifts more from heavier marks.
No matter what setting to wash baby clothes on you choose, reach for a delicate or gentle cycle, which treats soft fabrics more kindly than a standard programme. Drop the spin speed for anything fragile, and let the care label decide.
Can you wash baby clothes with other clothes
Mixing baby clothes into the family wash is not off-limits, but keeping them separate makes sense in a few situations:
In the first few months, a separate newborn load limits any transfer of bacteria from adult clothing.
With eczema or sensitive skin, those pieces may need their own wash with a fragrance-free detergent.
With heavily soiled adult wear, such as work or sports kit, keep it clear of baby laundry.
With strong or scented detergents elsewhere, give baby clothes a separate, gentler cycle.
When you cannot be sure what other items have picked up, a load on their own is safer.
As your child grows, combined loads are fine, as long as everything shares the same wash temperature. Send the most delicate items through on their own.
Removing stains, fabric softener and hand washing baby clothes
With stains, speed counts: the fresher the mark, the easier it lifts. Scrape off heavy soiling before clothes go in, then pre-treat with a cold rinse and a dab of detergent.
Milk and spit-up: these are protein stains, so rinse in cold water first, never hot, because heat sets the protein and fixes the mark.
Carrot and other orange veg: the pigment is oil-based, so treat it like a grease mark: work a little washing-up liquid into the stain to break it down, then wash as usual.
Fruit and berry: these darken as they oxidise, so rinse early in cold water and work in an enzyme or oxygen-based stain remover before washing, then soak a stubborn mark overnight.
Urine: rinse in cold water so it does not set, then soak in a bicarbonate of soda bath to neutralise the smell, and wash at 60 °C if the care label allows.
Nappy accidents: stool is a stubborn protein-based stain, so rinse cold, work in an enzyme or oxygen-based stain remover, soak, then wash at a hygienic 60 °C.
Fabric softener can cut the absorbency of nappies, and on some baby clothes it may interfere with a flame-resistant finish, so check the label first. If a label asks for hand washing, use cool water with a little mild detergent.
Drying, how often to wash and storing baby clothes
Air-drying is the gentle default, so hang baby clothes up whenever you can. Drying outdoors on a line is best, as sunlight even helps lift stains. For the tumble dryer, use a low, cool setting and check the label first.
How often you wash comes down to use, not a schedule: deal with anything soiled straight away and refresh worn pieces as needed. Store everything clean and dry, grouped by size so the next stage is easy to reach.
Conclusion
Knowing how to wash baby clothes settles into a simple rhythm once the routine clicks. Give every new piece a wash before the first wear, keep everyday loads at a gentle 30–40 °C and save 60 °C for nappies, illness or heavy soiling. Run separate loads early on, stick with a mild detergent and treat stains fast with a cold rinse.
FAQs about how to wash baby clothes
How do you wash baby clothes for the first time?
Check the care label, sort by colour and pre-treat any marks, then run a gentle 30–40 °C cycle with a mild, fragrance-free detergent. Leave fabric softener off anything absorbent, and dry in fresh air.
Should you wash baby clothes at 30 or 40 degrees?
Both are fine for everyday soiling. A 30 °C wash cleans effectively, costs less to run and is gentler on the environment, while 40 °C lifts more from heavier marks. Step up to 60 °C only for nappies, illness or heavy soiling.
Is it okay to wash baby clothes in the washing machine?
Yes. There is no need to hand wash baby clothes unless a care label asks for it. A gentle or delicate cycle at 30–40 °C suits most baby fabrics, with a lower spin for anything fragile.
What can I use if I do not have baby detergent?
An ordinary mild detergent works, ideally fragrance-free and dye-free, as long as your machine rinses well and your baby's skin is not especially reactive. For very sensitive skin, a non-biological one is the safer pick for what to wash newborn clothes with.
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Sources
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https://www.tommeetippee.com/en-gb/parent-library/newborn-baby/baby-care/washing-baby-clothes (accessed on 22.06.2026)
https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/laundry-tips/washing-tips/washing-your-newborns-clothes-first-time-parent-faqs.html (accessed on 22.06.2026)
https://smol.com/uk/stories/how-to-wash-baby-clothes (accessed on 22.06.2026)
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https://www.healthline.com/health/eczema-and-laundry-detergent (accessed on 22.06.2026)
https://www.laundryheap.com/blog/types-of-stains-protein-vs-oil-vs-tannin-stains/ (accessed on 23.06.2026)
Image sources in chronological order in the text
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