Buying Guides
How Many Baby Washcloths Do You Need? Uses, Numbers and Care
Most families use 6 to 12 baby washcloths: enough for baths, faces and hands after meals, drool and small spills, with a clean one always within reach. A set of six covers the first weeks with a newborn, and a second set helps once feeding gets messy. Keep the cloths you use on faces separate from any used at diaper changes, and wash them after every use.
Most families use between 6 and 12 baby washcloths. That is enough for bath time, faces and hands after meals, drool and the small spills of an ordinary day, with a clean cloth always within reach. A set of six covers the first weeks with a newborn. A second set earns its place once solid food arrives and every meal ends with a wipe.
Washcloths are one of the smallest things in the nursery and one of the most used. Here is how many you need, what they are really for, and how to keep them soft.
How many do you need?
The right number depends on how often you wash and how messy your days are. As a simple guide:
| Stage | Washcloths | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn, first weeks | 6 | Bath time plus faces and small spills |
| Feeding and teething months | 12 | Meals, drool and more wiping in between |
| Toddler | 6 to 12 | Hands, faces and the bath |
| Diaper bag and car | 2 to 3 extra | Clean cloths away from home |
A good rule is to have enough that one set can be in the wash while the other is in use. If you wash every day, six may be plenty. If you wash every few days, twelve keeps you from running out.
What baby washcloths are really for
Bath time is only the start. In most homes, washcloths quietly do a dozen small jobs a day:
- The bath itself. A soft cloth for washing a baby's body, face and the creases where milk and moisture collect.
- Faces and hands after feeds. Softer and more economical than tissues, and gentler than rubbing with a dry towel.
- Drool and teething. A folded cloth tucked nearby saves a lot of bib changes.
- Small spills. Milk, water, the mystery sticky patch on the sofa.
- Hair rinsing. A dry cloth held over the eyes makes rinsing hair much less upsetting for toddlers.
- Cooling down. On a hot day, a cloth dampened with lukewarm water is a gentle way to freshen a little one up.
One simple habit makes all of this hygienic: use separate cloths for faces and for diaper changes, and keep them apart. Many parents choose one colour for faces and another for everything else, which makes the rule easy to follow.
What to look for in a baby washcloth
A washcloth touches a baby's face many times a day, so the feel matters as much as the size:
- Softness. It should feel gentle on delicate skin, even when used to wipe the same small face again and again.
- Absorbency. A dense terry soaks up water and spills instead of pushing them around. MiniBoo washcloths are woven at 500 GSM, the same dense terry as our hooded towels.
- Size. Around 25 × 25 cm (10 × 10 in) is comfortable for small faces and hands and big enough to fold for the bath.
- Easy care. Cloths are washed often, so they need to cope with the machine and the dryer.
MiniBoo washcloths are made from 70% bamboo and 30% cotton, measure 25 × 25 cm and come in sets of six, rolled and banded, in white and pink.
How to keep washcloths soft and fresh
- Wash after every use. A damp, used cloth should not go back on a baby's face.
- Rinse first after messy jobs. A quick rinse in cold water before the machine helps with milk and food.
- Follow the label. MiniBoo washcloths are washed at 30°C on a gentle cycle, separately, with no bleach, and tumble dried on low. Do not iron.
- Skip fabric softener. It coats the fibres and makes cloths less absorbent.
- Dry them completely. In humid weather, spread cloths out rather than leaving them folded, so they dry all the way through and stay fresh.
- Store them within reach. A small basket by the bath and another by the high chair saves a lot of running around.
Replace a cloth when it has become thin or rough, or if it no longer smells fresh after washing.
Washcloths and towels work as a pair
Towels do the big job at the end of the bath. Washcloths do everything in between. If you are putting together a newborn bath kit, or a gift for one, the combination covers the whole routine: a generous hooded towel and a set of washcloths. For towels, see our guide on how many hooded towels a baby needs.
The short version
- Most families use 6 to 12 washcloths.
- Start with six for a newborn and add six more once feeding gets messy.
- Keep face cloths separate from anything used at diaper changes.
- Wash after every use and let cloths dry completely.
Small, soft and constantly in use, a good washcloth is one of those things you only notice when you run out. Have enough, and you never will.
From the collection
Frequently asked questions
How many washcloths does a newborn need?
Six is a good start and twelve is comfortable. Newborns need a fresh cloth for every bath and many more for faces, hands and small spills, and each cloth should be washed after use.
What can baby washcloths be used for?
Bath time, wiping faces and hands after feeds, drool, small spills and a gentle clean for sticky fingers. Many parents also keep one in the diaper bag and one by the high chair.
Should baby washcloths be washed after every use?
Yes. A damp, used cloth is not something you want back on a baby's face. Wash cloths after each use and let them dry completely. MiniBoo washcloths are washed at 30°C on a gentle cycle and tumble dried on low.
What size is a baby washcloth?
Around 25 × 25 cm (10 × 10 in) is a comfortable size for small faces and hands, and big enough to fold over for bath time. MiniBoo washcloths are 25 × 25 cm and come in sets of six.
