12 Reasons Why You Need Muslin Cloths (2024)

What is a Muslin Cloth?


Muslin is a loosely woven cotton fabric which gets its name from the city of Mosul in Iraq, where it was first manufactured.

Muslins form a staple part of every parent’s toolbox - the smaller muslin squares are ideal for wiping and winding, whereas the larger muslin cloths are great for swaddling.

With a multitude of uses, you can never have too many muslin cloths; here are our top reasons why you should keep a muslin handy at all times!

1. They’re Light and Breathable


Due to their loose weave, muslins are very lightweight and breathable, making them a safe addition to your baby’s pushchair or cot bed.

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2. Soft and Gentle


Muslin cloths are usually made from cotton or bamboo so they’re soft and gentle against baby’s sensitive skin. Unlike other fabrics, the more you wash your muslin cloth the softer it gets!

3. Stretchy and Ideal for Swaddling


The slight stretch in muslin fabric makes the larger variety perfect for swaddling. Not sure where to start with swaddling? Check out our blog post on swaddling your baby for tips and advice.

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4. Perfect for Wiping


Babies create a lot of mess for something so tiny! Despite their thin structure, muslin cloths are surprisingly absorbent so make sure you have one (or two!) handy during those typically messy moments such as mealtimes.

5. Ideal for Winding


Protect your clothes whilst winding your baby by throwing a large muslin swaddle cloth over your shoulder.

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6. Easy to clean


Just pop your muslin cloth in the washing machine on a gentle wash with similar colours. You can tumble dry them on low, but they dry so quickly naturally and it’s more environmentally friendly!

7. A Blanket for Warmer Months


During the warmer months, a large muslin cloth could be used as a lightweight alternative to a standard blanket. It’s truly all your little one will need!

8. Comforting for babies and toddlers


Babies love the soft snuggly texture of muslin cloths and, as you begin to use muslins for almost everything, your little one will start to find comfort in having a muslin cloth close by. You may find they start to settle easier for nap times if they have their muslin with them.

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9. On-the-go Bib


If you’ve decided to take your toddler for a picnic but have forgotten their bib, a small muslin square is the perfect makeshift alternative. Simply tuck it into your child’s top to protect their clothes, then once they’re finished it can be used to wipe their grubby fingers and face clean!

10. A nursing cover


Although we certainly don’t think mothers need to cover up during nursing, some might prefer a little privacy. A muslin swaddle cloth can be poked under a spaghetti strap or t-shirt collar to give you a bit more cover.

11. A changing pad cover


Although changing pads are usually made from a wipe-clean material, they can be quite cold against your baby’s sensitive skin. In these instances, large muslin cloths can be used as a changing pad cover, providing a soft layer for your baby to lay on.

Plus, if there are any additional accidents whilst changing, a muslin cloth will absorb any liquids rather than a channel of wee cascading down the side of your changing mat!

12. Tissue alternative


Some parents prefer to use muslin cloths as a handkerchief rather than tissue when their little ones are poorly. Tissues can leave delicate noses looking pink and dry whereas muslin cloths are soft and gentle.

Do you have any other uses for the trusty muslin cloth? Share them below to inspire other Boori families!

12 Reasons Why You Need Muslin Cloths (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of a muslin cloth? ›

Muslin is a loosely woven cotton fabric which gets its name from the city of Mosul in Iraq, where it was first manufactured. Muslins form a staple part of every parent's toolbox - the smaller muslin squares are ideal for wiping and winding, whereas the larger muslin cloths are great for swaddling.

What are the benefits of muslin cleansing cloths? ›

They help to remove any lasting residues of dirt or make-up without scratching the skin. They are reusable and are made from 100% unbleached organic cotton. This makes them far more environmentally-friendly than disposable cotton wool or even – gasp – face wipes. Just stick them in the washing machine on a cold wash.

What is so good about muslin? ›

It is breathable, making it perfect for hot, humid climates. It's also incredibly soft, yet durable—a balance that's hard to achieve with most fabrics. Muslin cloth is easily dyeable, and its loose weave makes it perfect for embroidery and other embellishments.

What age do you stop using muslins? ›

Muslin cloths are generally used from birth up to around 12lbs.

What are some fun facts about muslin fabric? ›

Muslin dates back more than 2,000 years to Ancient India. Dhaka, now the capital of Bangladesh, is still considered the home of the very finest Muslin fabrics, which once boasted extremely high thread counts (as high as 1,000!). 2. Muslin was worn by Greek goddesses.

What are muslin washcloths for? ›

Description. Little Bamboo Muslin washcloths are the perfect bathtime accessory for newborn skin. Made from Viscose from Bamboo, they're silky and smooth, perfect for newborns or those with sensitive skin - and a handy hint - they're great for removing makeup too!

Why are muslin cloths so expensive? ›

"It's a very arduous, expensive process – and at the end of the day, after all that you'd only get about eight grammes of fine muslin for one kilogramme of cotton." As weavers struggled to keep up with these demands, they fell into debt, explains Ashmore.

How many muslin cloths should you have? ›

As a general guideline, it is recommended to have at least 10-12 muslins on hand. One for each room that you will be using with the baby, a couple in the changing bag, one in the car, one kept in the pram and a few in the wash should be enough for everyday use.

What is the medical use of muslin? ›

Surgeons use muslin gauze in cerebrovascular neurosurgery to wrap around aneurysms or intracranial vessels at risk for bleeding. The thought is that the gauze reinforces the artery and helps prevent rupture. It is often used for aneurysms that, due to their size or shape, cannot be microsurgically clipped or coiled.

Do I need muslin cloths? ›

Muslin cloths are usually made from cotton or bamboo so they're soft and gentle against baby's sensitive skin. Unlike other fabrics, the more you wash your muslin cloth the softer it gets! The slight stretch in muslin fabric makes the larger variety perfect for swaddling. Not sure where to start with swaddling?

Is muslin good to sleep in? ›

Renowned for its softness, lightness and breathability, muslin is a beautifully soft, natural fibre to use when caring for your newborn baby. You'll most likely be familiar with large squares of muslin, which are often used for swaddling, but this wonder fabric is also regularly used for: - Sleeping Bags.

Do you need to wash muslin cloths before use? ›

Pre-Washing: In some cases, it's recommended to pre-wash new muslin items before using them for the first time. This helps remove any residual chemicals or dyes from the manufacturing process and ensures that the fabric is clean and ready for your baby's use.

How often do you change muslin cloth? ›

Ideally, for acne-prone skin, we suggest using a fresh cloth daily. We know this is sometimes tricky and, for all other skin types, every other day should be fine with a thorough rinse in hot water and using the loop (on our new Dual-Effect Cloths only) to hang to dry.

What are muslin cloths used for? ›

Muslin cloths are made with organic cotton, making them a lightweight and breathable fabric that's ideal for keeping your bundle of joy wrapped up – without causing them to overheat. Use your muslin cloth as a swaddle to keep them safe and cosy as they sleep (and hopefully you'll get some shut-eye at the same time).

How many muslin cloths for a hospital bag? ›

The hospital will provide a blanket but it's nice to have your own as a spare, plus you'll need it when you leave hospital to keep baby covered and warm. Muslins. Take at least 4, as these can get soiled with spit-up milk pretty quickly. You'll soon realise, you can never have enough muslins handy!

Is muslin cloth better than cotton? ›

Cotton is breathable, but if you go for thicker weaves, the air flow will reduce. Muslin is highly breathable and allows for air to circulate freely. This breathability factor helps regulate the baby's body temperature and reduces the risk of overheating during the warmer months.

What is the difference between muslin and gauze? ›

Double gauze can be confused with muslin, because the individual layers used for double gauze have a similar texture to muslin. But the key difference is that a double gauze is built from layers of cloth, whereas muslin is a single layer of a very loose weave cotton.

Why do designers use muslin? ›

This inexpensive cloth, which by the way is also called muslin, is used so as not to detract your eye with a busy pattern and to properly evaluate the fit and balance of a garment. Designers are known to make several muslins before they finalize their design. In fact, they wouldn't dream of working without them.

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