Should you use fabric softener on newborn clothes?

Quick answer: it’s optional. Newborn clothes just need to be clean, well rinsed and completely dry. Many parents skip fabric softener in the first weeks, or use a 2-in-1 detergent made for children’s clothes so clothes stay soft with one product fewer. If you do use softener, choose a light scent, use less than the usual dose and rinse well.

Why parents think twice

• Babies are in contact with fabric all day: clothes, cloth nappies, swaddles and pillows all touch the skin.
• Scent: babies are very close to their clothes, and a strong scent can bother them.
• Muslins and towels: softener can make them less absorbent, and baby towels need to absorb well.

If you want to use softener on baby clothes

1. Choose a light scent, not an overpowering one.
2. Use less than the dose on the pack, especially for small loads.
3. Add it in the final rinse, never straight onto clothes.
4. Skip it for muslins and towels to keep them absorbent.
5. Try it on a few items first, wait a few days, then use it for everything.

Instead of another bottle of softener

You can use a 2-in-1 detergent for children’s clothes: it washes and softens in one go, so clothes come out soft and lightly scented without separate softener.

For example, Abby is a Mother & Baby 5-in-1 laundry liquid combining plant-derived ingredients and enzymes. Of its three scents, Abby Relax Days is light and airy, suited to newborn clothes. Abby comes in a 100ml trial bottle so parents can try the scent before buying a large can.

Habits that matter more than softener

• Wash new clothes before your baby wears them.
• Wash baby clothes separately from adults’ muddy clothes.
• Rinse thoroughly; on a machine you can add an extra rinse.
• Dry completely before putting away, especially in humid weather.
• 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