Adding a(nother!) load to your washing machine is a quick and easy way to get your baby’s clothes clean. But sometimes you’ll need to be washing baby clothes by hand.

Especially if it’s a really delicate outfit that needs extra care when it’s washed. And for the best results it’s not as simple as chucking it in the sink and hoping for the best. (Trust us, we’ve tried!)

Here’s all you need to know about how to hand wash baby clothes, including which newborn washing detergent to use and how to remove baby food stains.

1. Separate your baby’s clothes

You want to keep your baby’s whites bright. So the first step in washing baby clothes by hand is making sure you’ve split your laundry into light and dark colours.

This is to avoid dye from your baby’s colourful clothes staining their white babygrows as you hand wash them.

And don’t be tempted to tip everything into the sink or bucket before adding water and detergent. Leave the clothes on the side for now.

2. Rinse first

Has your baby had a particularly messy weaning session? Then it’s a good idea to rinse their clothes before hand washing them.

If there’s a lot of mess (it’s amazing how much food babies can tip down themselves!), scrape it off their clothes and down the loo first. Then rinse the fabric under cold running water to make sure everything has come off.

3. Check the temperature of the water

Newborn clothes are teeny tiny, so it's good to know how to wash baby clothes without shrinking them. And that means making sure the water is the right temperature.

When it comes to washing new baby clothes, make sure the water is only as hot as shown on the clothes’ care label. This is usually 30-40 degrees. If you don’t have a thermometer (let’s face it, who does?) then just test the temperature with your hand. It should feel warm, not hot.

4. Use the right laundry detergent

Wondering which baby washing liquid to use? Finding the right detergent for your little one’s delicate skin is a must.

That's why we love Fairy Non Bio. It's been voted the number one laundry brand for sensitive skin* AND been awarded the Skin Health Alliance seal of approval.

It's super easy to use if you’re washing clothes by hand. Simply add the recommended amount of Fairy Non Bio Washing Liquid for Sensitive Skin or Fairy Non Bio Washing Gel to the water for a gentle clean. Both work at 30 degrees so no need to hand wash in hot temperatures. Just swish the water with your hand to make sure the detergent has fully dissolved.

Found a particularly stubborn stain like sweet potato or breastmilk on your baby’s clothes? Use Fairy Non Bio Stain Remover Powder first, then hand wash your baby’s clothes as normal.

*Online panel of 3,433 women among which Fairy Non Bio detergent/softener was voted most often as the #1 detergent and fabric softener for sensitive skin.

5. Don’t forget to soak

Water, check. Fairy Non Bio Washing Liquid or Gel, check … now you’re ready to add your baby’s clothes. Put them in the sink and push them down to make sure they’re fully under the water.

Leaving your baby’s clothes to soak is an important step in hand washing. So pop the kettle on for this step as you’ll finally have time for a brew!

Soak the clothes for up to 30 minutes, plenty of time for the detergent to work its magic.

6. Rinse properly

The detergent has done its job. So now it’s time to rinse your baby’s clothes to make sure they’re as clean and soft against their delicate skin as possible.

Rinse them under running cold or tepid water until the bubbles have gone and clear water is running out.

7. Dry your baby’s clothes

Your baby’s clothes are very delicate, so rather than twisting them to wring the water out, gently squeeze them instead. Then lay the item on a towel, fold the towel over and press down to remove more water.

You can either tumble dry your baby’s clothes or leave to dry on a rack or radiator. Here's all you need to know about how to dry baby clothes quickly .

Can you use fabric softener when hand washing baby clothes?

Yes! For extra huggable softness, add Fairy Non Bio Fabric Softener to your hand wash solution. Read the instructions for the amount to use.

(Also, always check the clothes’ care label first. Some baby clothes are treated with flame-resistant chemicals and fabric conditioner can make it less effective.)

Fairy Non Bio Fabric Softener is one half of Fairy’s Sensitive Skin Dream Team . So on the days you’re using the washing machine for your family’s laundry, use with Fairy Non Bio PODS® for a gentle clean and huggably soft clothes.

Want more tips for tackling your family laundry? Check out our articles below or swap ideas with other parents in our forum.

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