Muslin is the fabric the most practical baby cloths are made from: loosely woven, double-layer cotton that lets air through, is still nicely absorbent and gets softer with every wash. In shops you'll find them as muslin cloths, muslin swaddles or burp cloths – and in Switzerland, almost every family calls them Nuscheli.
What is a muslin cloth?
A muslin cloth is a square cloth made from 100% cotton muslin. The difference from ordinary cotton fabric lies in the weave: muslin is woven particularly loosely and is usually double-layered. This keeps the cloth breathable – important when it's lying over the pram – without it turning rough, as terry towelling does after many washes.
The Swiss word Nuscheli comes from the dialect word ‘nuscheln’, meaning to cuddle. For many children, the cloth becomes their first comfort object and stays with them for years – hence the name.
What is a muslin cloth used for?
The short answer: almost everything. The longer one:
- Burp cloth – over your shoulder when winding
- Breastfeeding cover – discreet and breathable
- Sun protection – over the pram, without trapping the air
- Light summer blanket – for warm nights
- Swaddle – in the first few weeks, in the large size
- Changing mat on the go – on unfamiliar changing tables
- Washcloth substitute – gentle enough for the face
- Comfort cloth – as soon as your child picks one
- Mat on the play floor
- Crumb catcher – later on as an improvised bib
What size do I need?
| Size | Suitable for |
|---|---|
| 90 × 100 cm | burp cloth, changing bag, out and about – the handy everyday format |
| 112 × 112 cm | swaddling, summer blanket, sun protection, nursing cover – the large all-round format |
If you have to choose one size: go for the large one. A large cloth can do everything a small one can – but not the other way round.
How many muslin cloths do you need?
Six is the minimum, ten is comfortable. That sounds like a lot, but it isn't: one is in the pram, one in the changing bag, two are in the wash, one in the cot, one in the living room. Most parents buy more after the birth – hardly anyone ever buys too many.
One more reason for several identical cloths: as soon as your child picks one as their favourite, you'll need an identical spare – otherwise every wash day turns into a negotiation. Why that is, and how to introduce a second cloth even later on, is explained in The favourite Nuscheli: why you always need a second one.
Washing and care
Wash at 60°C before first use. After that, 40°C on a normal cycle is enough. No fabric softener – it coats the fibres and robs the muslin of exactly the absorbency you bought it for. Muslin gets softer on its own the more often you wash it.
The typical crinkled look after drying is part of the charm and disappears with use. No ironing needed.
Our muslin cloths
All our cloths are made from 100% cotton muslin and come in a set of 3.
Large format, 112 × 112 cm:
Neutral · Teddy Bear · Pink · Blue
Handy format, 90 × 100 cm:
Green / Natural · Blue · Pink
View all muslins and blankets →
Shipped from Switzerland, free from CHF 50. If you're not sure which format is right for you: drop us a quick message – we usually reply within a day.
More on this topic: Newborn essentials – the complete checklist for Switzerland