Should you wash baby clothes before use?

There’s lots to do before your baby arrives, from deciding on a name (so many to choose from!) to buying all your new baby supplies. But once you’ve got a pile of the teeniest babygrows, vests and bibs, what should you do with them?

Pop them straight in a drawer ... or wash them first? And will they smell musty if you plan on keeping them in storage for a while?

We’ve got the lowdown on whether you should wash baby clothes before using. And we’ve also got a top laundry recommendation for when your new baby arrives: Fairy Non Bio.

Voted the number one brand for sensitive skin*, the whole Fairy laundry range has been dermatologically tested and endorsed by the Skin Health Alliance. That means it’s suitable for babies and children (including newborns) and promises to leave clothes clean and huggably soft.

For even more new baby laundry advice, along with your complete guide to washing and drying baby clothes, head to our Laundry Room hub.

*Online panel of 7,413 adults among which Fairy Non Bio laundry products were voted most often as the #1 laundry brand for sensitive skin.

Do I need to wash new baby clothes before using them?

Yes! 

Even though your new baby clothes and bedding might look clean, they’re likely to have been in a warehouse or shop for a while. And that means they could be covered in tiny dust particles that you can’t see. 

Your newborn’s skin is incredibly delicate, so you’ll want to be sure everything they wear is as clean and soft as possible. Washing everything that will come into contact with their delicate skin is an easy way of guaranteeing this.

What about second-hand baby clothes?

If you’ve been given baby clothes by a friend, chances are they’ll have been washed first. And the same is true if you’ve picked up second hand clothes in a charity shop. But you can’t guarantee the detergent used is suitable for delicate newborn skin.

For peace of mind, it’s worth washing everything again using products you know are designed for babies' sensitive skin like Fairy Non Bio.

Which laundry products should I use?

The Fairy Dream Team is the ideal laundry combo for you AND your new baby. 

Fairy Non Bio PODS® and Washing Gel give clothes a gentle clean and work brilliantly at just 30 degrees. Not only could this save you money (yes please!), washing clothes at a lower temperature can make them last longer. 

For the softness you want for your new baby’s clothes, add a cap of Fairy Fresh Fabric Conditioner or Fairy Outdoorable Fabric Conditioner which gives a lovely ‘dried outside’ scent, even if you’re drying clothes inside. 

What’s the best way to wash new baby clothes?

You only need a short wash cycle for new baby clothes. (The nappy explosion/ weaning stains are all to come … here’s your guide to getting stains out of your baby’s outfits.)

Pop a Fairy Non Bio POD® into your washing machine drum and then add the clothes on top. Each Pod contains just the right amount of detergent to clean your clothes. For extra softness, use with Fairy Fresh Fabric Conditioner or Fairy Outdoorable Fabric Conditioner.

Here’s your complete guide to washing baby clothes, including which temperature you should wash clothes at and the best way to dry them.

How can I keep baby clothes smelling fresh in storage?

Want to get super organised and stock up on baby clothes months before your little one arrives? 

Fairy In-Wash Scent Booster gives your laundry a lovely freshness that lasts up to 12 weeks in storage. 

Top baby clothes storage tip: avoid areas in your home that get very cold or damp (like a garage or loft).

Should I wash baby clothes that have been in storage for a while?

If the clothes have been packed away for months, then it’s a good idea to wash them again before use. This is just in case they’ve got any dust on them that could irritate your newborn’s skin.

However if they’ve only been in storage for a short while, they should be fine. (And if you’ve used Fairy In-Wash Scent Booster, they’ll still smell lovely and fresh!).

Looking for more laundry tips? Check out these stories, below, or visit our forum to swap ideas and advice with other parents.

And head to our Laundry Room hub for more expert tips for washing your family's clothes.

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