As soon as the baby arrives, the washing machine seems to be running non-stop. And with it come the questions: what temperature? Which detergent? And why is that favourite bodysuit suddenly a size smaller after three washes? Here are the key answers – practical and without a chemistry lecture.
1. Always wash new baby clothes before the first wear
Even new clothes have been on a long journey: production, storage, transport. Residues from processing and dust stay caught in the fabric along the way. A wash before the first wear removes most of it and makes the fabric softer at the same time.
A handy side effect: afterwards you know how the piece behaves after washing – especially useful with newborn essentials sets you might want to reorder in a bigger size.
2. The right temperature: 30, 40 or 60°C?
The short answer: 40°C is enough for almost everything. Higher temperatures are only needed in exceptional cases – they put strain on the fibres and make cotton more likely to shrink.
| Item | Temperature | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bodysuits, trousers, tops | 40°C | Gentle and fine for everyday |
| Muslins & comfort cloths | 40–60°C | 60°C if there's been a lot of spit-up or milk |
| Socks & bibs | 40°C | Pre-treat stubborn stains instead of washing hotter |
| During a tummy bug or fungal infection | 60°C | Temporarily, until the symptoms have cleared |
Always check the sewn-in care label too – if in doubt, it has the final say.
3. Less detergent is more
The most common mistake when washing baby clothes is using too much detergent. Excess detergent isn't fully rinsed out and stays in the fabric as residue – exactly where your baby's sensitive skin will rest later.
- Go easy on the dose and follow the water hardness where you live.
- Choose a simple, basic detergent without fragrances or bleach.
- An extra rinse cycle is worth it if your baby is prone to dry or irritated skin.
4. Skip the fabric softener – it'll still be cosy
Fabric softener leaves a fine film around the fibres. That feels soft at first, but it reduces absorbency – a real drawback for muslins and bibs – and can irritate sensitive skin.
The alternatives are simple: add a splash of household vinegar to the softener compartment (the smell disappears completely), give the laundry a good shake and let it air-dry. Pure cotton gets softer on its own with every wash. That's exactly why we use 100% cotton rather than blends for our ribbed bodysuit sets.
5. Stains: milk, purée and carrot
The three classics behave differently – and the most important rule applies to all of them: rinse in cold water before anything gets hot. Heat sets protein and colour stains.
- Milk and spit-up: rinse straight away with cold water, then wash as normal. Never pour hot water on first.
- Purée and vegetables: let it dry, scrape off the worst, then soak in cold water.
- Carrot: the most stubborn stain. After washing, lay the damp item in the sun – UV light bleaches out the colour surprisingly reliably.
Because stains are part of everyday life with a baby, multi-packs are worth it: with a set of 3 muslin swaddles you'll always have a clean one to hand while the others are in the machine.
6. Drying without shrinking
The tumble dryer is the most common reason baby clothes get smaller. Cotton fibres contract under high heat – and with sizes like 0–3 months, even a small change is noticeable straight away.
- Air-dry whenever possible – gentle and energy-saving.
- If you have to use the dryer: lowest setting, and take things out while still slightly damp.
- Hang colourful pieces inside out so prints don't fade.
- Don't put anything on the radiator – concentrated heat makes the fabric stiff.
7. Store by size
Babies grow in spurts. If you already have the next size washed and sorted in the wardrobe, you'll save yourself a lot of searching at seven in the morning. Label boxes or fabric bags by size and keep the current size on top, within easy reach.
Not sure which size is coming next? Our size guide will help you work it out.
8. Wash separately – at least at first
In the first few months it makes sense to wash baby clothes separately. That way you control what comes into contact with your baby's skin, and you avoid colour transfer from dark adult clothing. Later, once the skin is more robust, you can wash everything together without any problem – using the same mild detergent for everyone.
In a nutshell
- Wash new clothes before the first wear.
- 40°C is enough for everyday, 60°C only when needed.
- Go easy on detergent, and skip fragrances and fabric softener.
- Rinse stains in cold water, not hot.
- Air-dry rather than tumble-dry.
If your baby's skin stays red or irritated despite gentle care, please mention it to your paediatrician – there may be something other than the laundry behind it.
Cotton that stands up to washing
What makes baby clothes easy to care for is, above all, the material. All sunnozy pieces are made from 100% soft cotton – from the ‘Teddy Bear’ newborn essentials set to the muslin swaddles. We ship from Switzerland. Discover the full range and find the basics that are still cosy after the twentieth wash.