How to wash new baby clothes before your baby wears them

Quick answer: yes, wash all new clothes, towels and blankets before your baby uses them. Machine washing is fine: choose a gentle cycle, put items in a mesh bag, use a moderate amount of detergent, rinse well (add an extra rinse) and dry completely before storing.

Why wash new clothes before your baby wears them?

New clothes have been through manufacturing, packing, shipping and display. One wash makes them dust-free, reduces the new-fabric smell, makes them softer and shows up any items that run, so you can wash those separately.

Before washing

1. Remove all paper tags and plastic tags, and check for loose threads.
2. Sort: whites, light colours and dark colours separately. Muslins and towels separate from clothes.
3. Put small items (socks, mittens, hats) in a mesh bag so they don’t get lost or caught in the drum.

Machine washing

• Choose a gentle cycle or a baby programme if your machine has one.
• Use a moderate amount of detergent; more isn’t cleaner.
• Add an extra rinse to rinse out detergent thoroughly.
• Spin at a medium speed: spinning helps clothes dry faster; just avoid very high speeds for thin items.

Hand washing

1. Dissolve detergent in a basin of cool water before adding clothes.
2. Soak for about 10–15 minutes and rub gently.
3. Rinse 2–3 times in clean water until no slippery feel remains.

Drying and storing

• Dry somewhere airy and store only when completely dry. In humid weather, use a dryer or fan.
• Store in a clean wardrobe or box, or in cloth bags to keep dust off until needed.

Abby laundry liquid for newborn clothes

Abby is a Mother & Baby 5-in-1 laundry liquid combining plant-derived ingredients and enzymes, washing and softening in one go. Abby Relax Days has a light, airy scent, suited to washing new baby clothes once before your baby’s first wear. Abby comes in a 3L can, 1.1L can and a 100ml trial bottle for trying the scent first.

If your baby’s skin shows anything unusual after wearing freshly washed clothes, stop using the product and talk to a doctor.

Read more: Choosing detergent for baby clothes: 5 things to check on the label