The 13 best baby muslin cloths for every use

Any parent will know that you can never have too many baby muslin cloths, and it's understandable why you might want the best baby muslin for your little one. If you're not familiar with a muslin square yet, it's basically a small square cloth usually made from cotton, and it's an essential baby item you'll need plenty of.

The reason us mums can't get enough of them is because you can use them in so many different ways. From burping cloths to bibs, to a coverup when breastfeeding, for swaddling, a blanket, playing peek-a-boo, something to suck when teething, the list really can go on and on.

Since it's a given that your muslins will get covered in baby's sick, saliva and other fluids, muslins are often sold in multipacks as you'll probably get through a couple a day with a baby. We'd recommend having a few in your changing bag and some dotted around the house for those emergency moments.

What to look for in a muslin cloth

Look for lightweight, breathable fabrics. You'll often see cotton or bamboo muslins, for example. You want something that is soft on baby's skin but also absorbent and hard-wearing, as it will likely go in the washing machine pretty often!

It's also worth considering the size of the muslin. Muslins are such versatile products that you'll find hundreds of uses for them. You may decide you want a few smaller muslin squares to have for on the go or if your little one takes a liking to them while teething. Larger muslins are perfect for swaddling or using as a cover when breastfeeding if you'd like to. They are a must-have parenting product, and buying multiple muslins is a good idea!

How to use a muslin cloth safely

When breastfeeding, you'll use a muslin to wipe milk away from the baby's mouth and clean up any spit-up. Given how often a newborn feeds (sometimes it feels like constantly), you'll need a lot of muslins.

You can use one on your changing mat and as a cover-up while breastfeeding in public if you want. You can use a baby muslin to pat bottoms dry after changing nappies, to play peek-a-boo, at bath time as a washcloth or even as a towel, and also as a teething toy: they're great for chewing or sucking on.

The best baby muslins for 2024

Are muslin cloths safe?

Muslins are also great to use to wrap or swaddle your baby, to replace a comforting toy, and when burping your baby. Remember the safety surrounding swaddling and leaving muslins in your baby's cot while they're sleeping. According to the Lullaby Trust, there are some important safety factors to keep in mind.

"If you decide to adopt swaddling, this should be done for each day and night time sleep as part of a regular routine; use thin materials, do not swaddle above the shoulders, never put a swaddled baby to sleep on their front, do not swaddle too tight, check the baby's temperature to ensure they do not get too hot."

To avoid the risk of SIDS, it's a good idea not to keep any unnecessary items in your baby's cot. 'We recommend babies sleep in cots or Moses baskets that are kept as clear as possible. We specifically advise no pillows or duvets, no cot bumpers, no soft toys, no loose bedding, and no products (such as wedges or straps) that will keep your baby in one sleeping position.' Says the Lullaby Trust.

The NHS doesn't recommend using any spare piece of fabric on your unattended baby. This is to avoid suffocation, however, under supervision, a baby muslin is a must-have baby essential.

How many muslins do you need for a baby?

The amount of times you find yourself grabbing a muslin cloth can vary depending on your baby. If they suffer from reflux or are regularly sick, then you'll probably find yourself needing more. To put a figure on it, you might want to start with around 5-10 muslins and purchase more if you find you're always running out when they're in the washing.

As you can see from the products we've featured, most muslin squares come in multipacks, so you may just want to add two packs of baby muslins to your baby shopping list.

Do I need to wash baby muslins before use?

Although many modern muslins are made using natural and organic fibres where they've not come into contact with chemicals or pesticides, some cloths have come into contact with nasties during the production process. Either way, we'd recommend giving your muslin squares a was before your baby arrives and drying them outdoors if possible. This will mean that any harmful chemicals that may have come into contact with the muslin are washed out before coming into contact with the baby.

How to wash baby muslins

If you're currently prepping for the arrival of your little one and popping all their baby grows and clothes into the wash, ready to be worn, you might want to toss the muslin squares in, too, for a wash before using them.

Muslin squares can be washed in the washing machine with the rest of your baby's clothes. Just be sure to fasten up any buttons and zips to avoid them catching on the cloth, and don't wash with Velcro items. Wash them below 40 to avoid shrinking and tumble dry on a low setting. Regarding detergent, it's up to you, but it's a good idea to go for a gentle baby washing powder that will be gentle and kind to your baby's delicate skin.

Other muslin cloth uses

Not only are muslin squares brilliant for burping, nursing, using as a baby swaddle blanket, sun shading—the list goes on—, but they can also be handy for loads of other things.

Looking for a new facial exfoliator? A damp muslin cloth will work the same, especially when exfoliating dry skin from your lips.

If you love to make homemade jams and marmalades, you can use a muslin square to strain the mixture. Removing any lumps or seeds to leave you with a tasty, smooth spread.

There's nothing worse than getting little lemon pips in your food when cooking, so a good solution is to wrap your lemon wedge in a muslin cloth before squeezing the juice out - you'll still get the lovely lemon flavour, minus the pips.

For an alternative gift wrap, you could use a muslin cloth to gift wrap some presents. Add a colourful ribbon or bow for a chic-looking gift.

Do you have a blocked nose? Dab some airway-clearing oils to a muslin cloth and sleep with it under your pillow at night.

You can never have too many dusters. Add your old and unwanted muslin cloths to the under-the-sink cupboard collection.

How we test and choose recommended products

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.

Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.

For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.

Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2015 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online, including four years on Mother&Baby magazine where she was Senior Writer and wrote news, product pages, features and interviewed celebrities such as Paloma Faith and Fearne Cotton.