18 Apr 2026
- Wash new baby clothes before their first wear.
- Bio is fine for babies — non-bio is simply another option.
- Check the care label; everyday clothes rarely need a hot wash.
- Treat milk, food and poo stains sooner rather than later.
- Baby clothes can usually join the family wash.
- Keep all laundry detergent safely away from little hands.
Babies are tiny but they make HUGE amounts of laundry.
Luckily, washing their clothes doesn’t need boiling-hot water or loads of new products in your cupboard. So let’s find out what actually matters.
Bio or non-bio laundry detergent for baby clothes?
You don’t have to use non-bio detergent for babies.
Bio detergent contains enzymes, which are brilliant at breaking down stains such as food and grease. And interestingly, contrary to what you may have heard, the NHS says there’s no evidence that the enzymes in biological laundry detergent irritate a baby’s skin.
So which laundry detergent is best to use when washing baby clothes?
Best if you want… | Good to know | |
Extra stain power | Tackles stains at 20°C with less chemicals than the big brands | |
Enzyme-free cleaning | Cleans at 20°C, dermatologically tested & accredited by Skin Health Alliance | |
No scent or enzymes | Dermatologically tested & accredited by Skin Health Alliance and recommended by Allergy UK | |
Stain power & flexible dosing | Great for handwashing items, pre-treating stains & 15-minute cycles | |
Enzyme-free & flexible dosing | Dermatologically tested & accredited by Skin Health Alliance and brilliant in 15-minute cycles | |
Softness & sensitive skin reassurance | Dermatologically tested & accredited by Skin Health Alliance, with 2x softness after 3 washes with its new formula |
Both smol Laundry Capsules and Laundry Liquid use less chemicals than the big brands.¹
All our non-bio laundry detergents are part of our Sensitive Range which means they all have been dermatologically tested and are accredited by the Skin Health Alliance giving you extra independent reassurance when choosing products for sensitive skin.
How to wash baby clothes.
1. Wash before first wear.
New clothes might look clean, but they’ve been made, handled and transported about before reaching your family.
A wash before first wear will remove any dust or residues picked up along its journey.
2. Check the label.
The temperature on the care label is the maximum a fabric can handle and not an instruction to wash everything that hot.
For everyday baby clothes, choose the coolest wash that will get things properly clean.
smol Laundry Capsules deliver powerful cleaning at 20°C, while smol Laundry Liquid also works brilliantly on cool washes but also matches Persil Wonder Wash on a quick cycle too!
3. Treat stains quickly.
Babies and stains are inseparable.
Try to remove any excess mess and deal with stains before they’ve had time to settle in.
Bio detergent is very good here because its enzymes help break down common food and bodily-fluid stains.
And if you use smol Laundry Liquid, you can apply it directly on stubborn stains before washing.
4. No need to separate everything.
If the colours and temperatures work together, most baby clothes can go in with the rest of the family wash.
That means fuller loads, fewer washes, and therefore less energy used.
Washable nappies are an exception. The NHS recommends washing these separately.
What temperature should you wash baby clothes at?
For everyday clothes, 20 - 40°C is enough with an effective detergent (hello smol). But always follow the care label instructions.
At times, a hotter wash can be necessary. For example, for washable nappies. The NHS recommends washing dirty nappies separately and says they can be washed at 60°C. Always check your nappy manufacturer’s care instructions too, as some reusable nappies shouldn’t be washed with biological detergent.
And of course, if there is illness in the house or any specific hygiene worry, follow the relevant healthcare advice.
What about sensitive skin?
If your baby has sensitive skin, choosing a dermatologically tested detergent can give extra reassurance.
smol Non-Bio Laundry Capsules, Fragrance-Free Non-Bio Laundry Capsules and Non-Bio Laundry Liquid are dermatologically tested and accredited by The Skin Health Alliance.
And if you'd rather avoid fragrance altogether, our Fragrance-Free Non-Bio Capsules also carry Allergy UK's Seal of Approval.
All our non-bio’s deliver powerful cleaning at 20°C using less chemicals than the big brands. And in independent testing, our Laundry Liquid matched Persil Wonder Wash for overall stain removal on a 15-minute wash at 30°C with a full load (while also performing better on whiteness and grass stains).
Which is handy once babies start crawling!
Can you use fabric conditioner on baby clothes?
Yes.
The NHS says there’s no evidence that fabric conditioners irritate a baby’s skin.
And if sensitive skin is front of mind, smol Sensitive Peach & Jasmine Fabric Conditioner is dermatologically tested and accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.
It uses plant-based softeners and gives 2x the softness after just three washes with its new formula.
N.B.: don’t use fabric conditioner on washable nappies. It can reduce their absorbency.
Washing baby clothes FAQs.
¹ see our claims on smol.com/our-claims
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol and is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all, with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet and gentle on the skin. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet and our homes.
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