Wash baby swaddles in cold or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle, using a mild detergent, and dry in shade. Cotton and muslin actually get softer with each wash. Wash new items before first use, and avoid harsh bleach so prints and fabric stay gentle on baby's skin.
Before the first wash
Wash any new swaddle or quilt once before it touches your baby's skin, even if it looks clean. This clears any residue from manufacturing and softens the weave from the very first use.
The everyday wash
Cold or lukewarm water, gentle cycle, mild detergent. Skip fabric softener — it coats the fibres and works against the natural softening that comes from washing. Turn printed pieces inside out to protect the print.
Some colour release is normal
Hand block-printed cotton can release a little colour in the first few washes, more with darker or richer prints. This settles quickly — wash separately from light fabrics for the first two or three washes, then treat it like any cotton piece.
Drying and storage
Dry in shade rather than direct sun, which keeps colour from fading unevenly. Store folded rather than on a hanger to avoid stretching the weave.
PEXX swaddles and quilts are pure cotton, hand block-printed with azo-free dyes — see the Little collection, or the fabric & safety hub for how we choose dyes and fabric.