How to Wash Bamboo and Cotton Baby Clothes: All-in-One Guide

You’ve already invested in soft, high-quality baby clothes. Now, the goal is to keep them that way. The biggest concern most parents have isn’t just cleaning. But how to wash baby clothes without stretching, shrinking, or ruining that original softness.

Here’s a simple, no-fuss routine to help your cotton and bamboo pieces stay soft, safe, and in shape, wash after wash.

Why Proper Washing Matters

1. Keeps fabrics soft, not rough over time: Proper washing helps preserve the natural softness of cotton and bamboo, instead of leaving them stiff or scratchy after multiple washes
2. Maintains the original shape (no shrinking or stretching): The wrong heat or drying method can easily shrink cotton or stretch out delicate fibers. Washing correctly helps clothes keep their fit, structure, and look longer
3. Protects your baby’s sensitive skin: Using mild detergent and avoiding harsh chemicals prevents residue buildup, reducing the risk of irritation on delicate newborn skin.

How to Wash Knitted Cotton Baby Clothes (With or Without Embroidery)

Knitted cotton baby clothes require a cold, gentle washing cycle and flat drying.

Step 1: Prep & Protect

1. Turn garments inside out to reduce surface friction
2. Place delicate items (knits, blankets) in a mesh laundry bag to keep the embroidery stitches tight.
3. Wash with other soft baby clothes only. Avoid zippers, velcro, or heavy fabrics to reduce friction and prevent pilling.

Step 2: Set the Right Wash

1. Cycle: Gentle / Delicate
2. Water temperature: Cold water only
3. Detergent: Use a mild, baby-safe liquid detergent
4. Avoid overloading the machine. Cotton needs space to move gently

Step 3: Wash Smart

1. Skip bleach. It weakens cotton fibers over time
2. Skip fabric softener. Cotton naturally softens after each wash
3. Let the machine do the work — no need for heavy agitation

Step 4: Dry the Right Way

1. Best option: Lay flat to air dry to keep the shape intact. Tumble dry can cause severe shrinkage and damage the embroidery stitches
2. If using a dryer, use low heat only. Remove the baby clothes while still slightly damp to avoid stiffness
3. Never hang heavy wet knits. Water weight can stretch them out permanently

How to Wash Bamboo Baby Clothes (Extra Care Needed)

Step 1: Separate First

1. Wash bamboo items separately or with similar soft fabrics only
2. Keep away from rough items (zippers, towels, denim)
3. Use a mesh laundry bag for extra protection if needed

Step 2: Gentle Wash Setup

1. Turn items inside out before washing
2. Cycle: Gentle / Low agitation
3. Water temperature: Cold to max 30°C (86°F)
4. Detergent: Mild, eco-friendly, enzyme-free detergent only

Step 3: Protect the Fabric

1. Never use bleach (breaks down fibers), fabric softener (blocks breathability), and harsh chemicals
2. Keep wash loads light to minimize friction and pilling

Step 4: Dry & Store Carefully

1. Best: Air dry flat on a rack
2. If hanging, keep it in shade only. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading
3. If using dryer, set it to low heat only and remove the baby clothes while slightly damp
4. Store folded instead of hanging to maintain fabric structure

Common Caring Issues from Our Customers

I Notice a Rough Patch on the Backing of Embroidery

The embroidery stabilizer can be washed off easily by soaking in lukewarm water

We’ve read some not-so-stellar reviews about the rough, thick patch on the backing of our embroidery. It’s actually the stabilizer and can be dissolved if washed properly:

1. Trim away the excess stabilizer around the edges of the embroidery as much as possible.
2. Soak the embroidered area (or the entire garment) into lukewarm water for about 5 minutes. NEVER use hot water—the main culprit behind cotton shrinkage.
3. Rinse the embroidery area under a running faucet or sprayer. The water pressure helps wash away the stabilizer better.
4. Use your fingertips to scrape away any remaining stabilizer and rinse again. Repeat (if needed) until you can’t find any residue left.

New Baby Clothes Have a Smell (like Old Tomato Sauce or Parmesan Cheese,...)

Some of our customers report a subtle smell in new baby clothes. The “new clothes” smell is inevitable during the production process. However, parents can rest assured that all of SWaddle AN products are OEKO-TEX-certified. So, this odor doesn’t come from toxic chemicals.

We ALWAYS recommend our customers to wash every garment before it touches their baby’s skin. And the smell will disappear after 1-2 washes. But if you want to get rid of it right away, washing the clothes with 1 cup of baking soda or ½ cup of white vinegar will do.

Stains Remain After Washing. Now What?

Still notice the spit-up or poop stains after washing? Here’s how to get rid of them for good, trusted by Reddit parents:

1. Mix hydrogen peroxide and blue Dawn dish soap in a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio (both work well).
2. Apply the mixture to the stain. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes to break down the stain. Don’t leave the mixture on the baby clothes longer than that to prevent color fading.
3. Wash the clothes as normal and dry under direct sunlight (natural bleach).

Do’s & Don’ts Checklist