The Best Washcloths to Keep Your Baby Squeaky Clean

Soft, gentle, and made from 100% organic cotton, these washcloths are perfect for delicate newborn skin. With a lightweight and absorbent design, they’re ideal for bathtime, quick clean-ups, and even on-the-go messes. Plus, they’re durable enough to withstand frequent washing while staying cozy and plush. 

They’re an ideal size for babies—measuring nine by nine inches—soft on delicate skin and last a really long time. “I am still using the same set of burt's bee's washcloths I registered for on my now-5 year old!” says one Babylist parent. They feature two sides: one that’s soft and one that’s a bit more scrubby (parents say it’s just the right amount of scrub, not too rough). They’re also one of the more affordable options out there. The one criticism that comes up in parents' reviews is that they’re a bit thin. But it’s not enough to be a deal-breaker; they’re a skin-friendly choice both Babylist parents and editors on our team love.

Once my babies turned into toddlers, we swapped over to these washcloths from Pillowfort (and now the whole family uses them). Not only are these 100% cotton washcloths super affordable—$5 for a pack of eight—they’re durable. They hold up to scrubbing sticky hands and tiny toes and still look great wash after wash. We hang them on a towel bar after bath and they seem to dry pretty quickly (which means they don’t get too gross before it’s time to throw them in the laundry). Parents rave about these washcloths being practical and budget-friendly. 

However, there are two things parents think could be better. The washcloths aren’t as soft as other options for babies and kids. They’re not super scratchy in a “cheap” material sense, but the texture on them may bother some little ones. I haven’t noticed them get softer with use, either. They’re also standard size for washcloths, 12 inches by 12 inches. Since they’re for kids, some parents said they were larger than they expected. But the size combined with the durability mean they’ll last for years to come. 

Like the Burt’s Bees pick, these washcloths are also made from 100% GOTS organic cotton. They’re also about nine by nine inches and feature a double-sided design with two textures. But what makes them different is how incredibly soft they are. These washcloths come in a pack of six, so you’ll always have one handy and feature a loop that makes it easy to hang to dry. 

There are few things parents don’t like about these; their main gripe is the care instructions. “[One] drawback is that they are marked as cold wash only. For an item used to clean up messes, I'd prefer something that can be run through on the sanitize setting,” said one Babylist parent. Another thing is that they’re so soft, they don’t lather as well as regular terry cloth material: “They're pretty soft and they hold soap well but [aren't] amazing at lathering,” another Babylist parent wrote.

Made of cotton muslin, a super soft material that only gets softer with time (think muslin swaddles), these Konssy baby washcloths are soft yet durable, standing up to wash after wash. (These were my go-to washcloths when my babies were newborns and I really liked them.) Parents also like how versatile they are. And at 11 by 11 inches, they’re a great option to drape over your baby’s belly during bathtime to keep them feeling warm and secure. 

Some parents don’t like how large they are when it comes to actually washing baby with them—there’s just a lot of material to manage. They’re also a bit hard to wring out since there are quite a few layers of fabric. 

Bamboo is a well-loved fabric because of how soft and gentle it is on sensitive skin, and these Copper Pearl washcloths are no exception. They’re made of 100% rayon from bamboo fibers and feature a gentle terry cloth feel.“[They’re] the perfect blend of softness and thickness,” one Babylist parent shared in their review. Many parents of babies with eczema-prone skin prefer these for bathtime and wiping their baby’s face. In addition to being super soft, bamboo has many benefits; the biggest two being that it’s extremely breathable and great at regulating temperature. I’ve also used these for years with my own toddlers and they’re like the Goldilocks of thickness—not too thin but not too thick. They’re also on the larger end of sizing for a baby washcloth, measuring 11 by 11 inches. 

These Copper Pearl washcloths are a bit pricier than other options on the market—they come in a pack of six and cost about $3.50 per washcloth. I did notice they tend to look pretty worn after regular use, especially once you start bathing a toddler who's been out exploring the elements. “These wash cloths are very soft [but] make sure to follow the washing instructions. If washed in hot/warm with other towels they do wear significantly faster,” says one Babylist parent.

If you’re looking for a bamboo washcloth that’s a bit more budget-friendly than the Copper Pearl pick above, check these out. KeaBabies deluxe bamboo washcloths are butter soft and feature a plush terry design that lathers well. 

There’s not a lot parents don’t like about these. Though they have finished edges, a few parents note that the edges curl after washing and drying. And while they generally love how soft and plush these washcloths are, some said they’re almost too dense, making them hard to wring out.