How often should you change your baby's bedding?
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Louisa Sherlock
Associate EditorIt might not feel like it (especially during another 3am wake up call), but your baby spends a lot of time sleeping. And that means their bedding needs regular washing to keep it clean and cosy.
But given you’re already washing baby clothes every day, how often should you change the bedding in your baby’s cot or Moses basket? And what is the best baby detergent to use? We’ve got all your laundry questions answered, along with the inside track on how often our Netmums parents wash their baby's sheets.
Why it’s important to change your baby’s bedding
Your baby’s cot sheets may look clean, but they are home to everything from dust to dead skin cells. To make sure there’s nothing on the bedding that could irritate your baby’s skin, it’s a good idea to change it regularly.
How to wash baby bedding
Before we get started on how often sheets, sleeping bags and other bedding should be changed, here’s a quick washing guide:
Check the care labels … some of your baby’s bedding may need washing at different temperatures. The label will also say if the bedding has been treated with flame-resistant chemicals. If it has, you might want to skip fabric softener as it can make the chemicals less effective.
Choose the right detergent … You want your baby’s bedding to be super soft (anything to help them sleep!). The Fairy Non Bio Sensitive Skin Dream – Fairy Non Bio PODS® and Fairy Fabric Softener – will leave everything clean and comfy. There’s no need to measure out any detergent: the Pods have clever multi-compartments containing gentle ingredients and mild perfume to shift stains. Simply pop one in your washing machine drum before loading the bedding on top.
Dry the bedding … It’s up to you how you dry your baby’s bedding. Pop it in the tumble dryer, hang on the line if it’s sunny or pop on a clothes airer. Need it in a hurry? Here’s how to dry baby clothes (and bedding) quickly.
How often should you wash your baby’s sheets?
It’s a good idea to change the cot sheets at least once a week , or more if your baby has drooled a lot or been wet in the night.
If there's any sick or poop on the sheets, wash them straight away: the NHS recommends washing at a higher temperature of 60 degrees to make sure no dust mites and bacteria are left behind. Here’s all you need to know about getting rid of baby poop stains.
How often should you wash your baby’s sleeping bag or swaddle?
Just like their sheets, your baby’s sleeping bag or swaddle is home to dust, dirt and other irritants. Wash them at least once a week , or more if your baby is sick or if their nappy leaks in the night.
How often should you wash your baby’s blanket?
This should also be washed at least once a week . With such regular washing, make sure you choose a gentle baby detergent like Fairy Non Bio , which has been voted the number one laundry brand for sensitive skin*.
*Online panel of 3,433 women among which Fairy Non Bio detergent/softener was voted most often as the #1 detergent & fabric softener for sensitive skin.
How often should you wash the mattress cover?
If you have a waterproof mattress protector in your baby’s cot or Moses basket, this also needs washing. Check the care label on the cover for how often to clean it.
What about other baby bedding?
For safe sleeping, the Lullaby Trust charity recommends babies sleep on a flat mattress with a fitted or tucked-in sheet.
Blankets should be tucked in below the height of your baby’s shoulders. They don’t need pillows, cot bumpers or bulky bedding, meaning less to wash!
Can you use fabric softener on baby bedding?
For extra softness, pour some fabric conditioner (we love Fairy Non Bio Fabric Softener) into your washing machine. It's fine to use even if your baby has sensitive skin. The NHS says there’s no evidence that using fabric softeners will irritate your baby's skin.
Some baby bedding is treated with flame-resistant chemicals, though. Fabric softener can make this less effective, so always read the care labels first.
Do you need to wash new baby bedding before use?
Yes! The cot sheets or baby sleeping bag may be brand new, but they could still have dust or tiny particles of dirt on them that could irritate your newborn’s skin.
For more laundry advice, check out our guide for how to wash your baby's clothes.
Here's how often our Netmums change their baby’s bedding
‘Once a week I wash all my son's bedding and wash his sleeping bag every other day.’
‘I do it once a week unless she has a sickness bug/cold/leaky nappy, then it gets changed more often.’
‘I do all of ours weekly and hoover the mattresses...I'm obsessed with bed bugs lol.’
‘Probably every other day. Sometimes every day as usually has sick or snot on it! If it didn't it would stay on for a week but I can't see that ever happening!’
‘My LO's asthma consultant said that when you hoover, you throw loads of dust up into the air from the carpet and it takes about 30 minutes to settle. As Emily is so badly asthmatic, I hate the thought of this, so my routine is hoover all the rooms, go back strip the beds and change sheets, then dust last of all.’
Want more tips and advice for washing baby clothes? Check out our articles below or chat to other parents in our Netmums forum.
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