Is Muslin Safe for a Newborn's Skin?

Yes — muslin is one of the safest fabrics for a newborn's skin. It's a lightweight, breathable cotton weave that's soft, gentle, and helps regulate temperature, which lowers the risk of overheating. For maximum safety, choose muslin coloured with azo-free (non-toxic) dyes, and wash it before first use.

Why muslin suits a baby

Its open weave breathes, so babies don't overheat; it's soft against delicate skin; and it only gets softer with each wash.

What to check before you buy

  • Azo-free, skin-safe dyes — the single most important thing for anything against a baby's skin
  • Generous size — 105×105 cm or larger for swaddling
  • Pure cotton, no synthetic blends

How to care for it

Wash cold or on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, dry in shade, and skip the bleach. The print mellows and the cloth softens beautifully over time.

PEXX swaddles are pure cotton, hand block-printed with azo-free dyes — see the Little collection.