What to Wash Baby Clothes in Australia: Detergents and Care
Wash baby clothes with a suitable laundry detergent, following the garment care label and the dose on the pack. A fragrance-free or sensitive option is a practical starting point, especially if your baby’s skin is easily irritated. You do not have to buy a product labelled “baby”, and you can usually wash ordinary baby clothes with compatible family laundry.
Updated October 2026
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Wash new clothes before the first wear, skip strong fragrance and fabric softener, and make sure the load rinses properly. If a rash appears, get advice rather than assuming detergent is the only cause. Below are three Australian-listed options and a routine that keeps the job manageable.
Quick answer: what to wash baby clothes in
| Choice | Why consider it | Check before using |
|---|---|---|
| OMO Sensitive Laundry Powder 2kg | Fragrance-free powder listed at Coles | Pack dose, machine type and fabric restrictions |
| OMO Sensitive Laundry Liquid 1L | No dyes or perfumes, according to Woolworths listing | Exact Sensitive variant and current pack instructions |
| ecostore Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid 2L | Fragrance- and colourant-free AU brand option | Ultra Sensitive variant, dosing and garment label |
These are researched options, not a claim that one detergent is medically best for every baby. We checked the Australian listings for the named variants and fragrance information. We have not tested cleaning performance or skin reactions. Local supermarket stock varies, and the Amazon links are product searches rather than verified exact-item listings.
Do baby clothes need a special detergent?
Raising Children Network’s baby clothing guide says to wash clothes before first wear, avoid strong detergents and fabric softeners, and consider detergents labelled sensitive or gentle. It also says baby clothes can be washed with the rest of the laundry.
That does not mean every family needs a separate bottle for the baby. If your detergent suits the fabrics and your child tolerates it, a workable family routine can be enough. Fragrance-free is a clear feature to look for if you want to keep added perfume out of the wash.
“Natural”, “plant-based” and “baby” are marketing descriptions, not guarantees against irritation. Look at the exact variant and ingredients, rather than assuming every product from the same brand has the same formula. A fragranced sensitive product and a fragrance-free sensitive product are not interchangeable.
Three detergent options sold through Australian stores
1. OMO Sensitive Laundry Powder 2kg
Coles lists this powder as fragrance-free and suitable for front- and top-loading machines. It is an option if you prefer powder and want a mainstream supermarket product. Choose the Sensitive pack, rather than another OMO powder with a similar-looking box.
Read the pack’s current dose and fabric restrictions. The retailer’s instructions exclude wool, silk and other delicate fabrics, so use the garment label to decide whether it is suitable for a particular cardigan or blanket. Follow the current package if its scoop or measuring instructions differ from an online description.
Who it suits: households already comfortable using powder for washable everyday clothes. What to watch: overloading, undissolved powder and assuming all baby garments can go through the same wash. We do not claim it prevents eczema or that it will suit every child.
View OMO Sensitive Laundry Powder 2kg at Coles · Check price on Amazon AU
2. OMO Sensitive Laundry Liquid 1L
Woolworths’ Australian listing describes this Sensitive liquid as containing no dyes or perfumes and being suitable for front- and top-loading machines. It is a straightforward alternative if you prefer measuring a liquid rather than handling powder.
Check the exact bottle, since OMO has several ranges and concentrations. Dose according to that pack, the load and your machine. Do not use instructions for a dilute-at-home refill or a different concentrated liquid on this bottle.
Who it suits: families looking for an unscented liquid through a major supermarket. What to watch: a no-perfume claim does not mean the product contains no other potential irritants. Store stock and price need checking with your selected Woolworths location.
View OMO Sensitive Laundry Liquid 1L at Woolworths · Check price on Amazon AU
3. ecostore Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid 2L
Ecostore’s Australian site offers a 2L Ultra Sensitive laundry liquid described as free from fragrance and colourants, with Australia-wide delivery. This is the variant to look for if you want an unscented option from the brand; other ecostore laundry products have different fragrances.
It can suit a family that prefers ordering from the brand or wants one unscented liquid for compatible household clothes. Check the current directions and delivery charge before comparing it with a supermarket bottle.
Who it suits: households choosing a clearly identified fragrance-free variant. What to watch: avoid treating plant-derived ingredients or sensitivity claims as a promise that your baby cannot react. Follow your clinician’s advice if your child has a known skin condition.
View ecostore Ultra Sensitive Laundry Liquid 2L at ecostore Australia · Check price on Amazon AU
A simple routine for washing newborn clothes
- Read the care labels. Sort by compatible colours, fabric and washing instructions. Separate items that need hand washing or a different cycle.
- Wash new and second-hand clothes before use. This also gives you a chance to inspect fasteners, damage and loose threads.
- Remove obvious soil. Deal with poo and food before the main wash, and follow garment and cleaning-product instructions for any treatment.
- Measure detergent. Use the pack’s dose for the load, machine and water conditions. Guessing can leave you with too much product or a poorly cleaned load.
- Choose a suitable cycle. Use the care label and machine guidance. Ordinary baby clothes do not all need a hot or sanitising cycle.
- Rinse and dry fully. Avoid crowding the drum. Dry according to the label, then put clothes away only when they are dry.
Use a small laundry bag for socks if you already have one suitable for your machine, or simply count them into and out of the load. Keep the routine practical. You do not need to wash a mountain of future sizes before birth; prepare enough of the first clothes and expand as needed.
Temperature, stains and fabric softener
There is no universal wash temperature for every baby garment. Cotton bodysuits, woollen knits, waterproof items and delicate trims may have different limits. Choose the temperature allowed by the label and suitable for the soil, rather than assuming hotter always means better.
Treat stains promptly using a method compatible with the fabric. Check an inconspicuous area first if the product recommends it, and wash treatment residue out before the item is worn. Do not mix cleaning products. A permanent mark on an otherwise clean, usable garment does not mean it needs a succession of stronger chemicals.
Skip fragrance boosters and strongly scented softeners if you are trying to reduce fragrance exposure. Fabric softener is not necessary to wash baby clothes. Our guide to dryer sheets and baby clothes discusses another common add-on, and our stained baby clothes guide offers more background.
What if your baby has eczema or a rash?
Raising Children Network’s eczema advice identifies fragranced detergents among possible irritants and recommends seeing your GP if you think your child has eczema or symptoms are worsening. Triggers vary, and detergent is only one possibility.
Tell your GP or maternal and child health nurse what you changed and when the symptoms appeared. Keep a simple record rather than switching detergent, skincare and clothing all at once. A laundry change can be part of reducing irritation, but it does not replace prescribed eczema care. Ask about extra rinsing if residue appears to be a problem.
Our baby eczema product guide is background reading, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Get professional advice for persistent or worsening symptoms.
Cloth nappies need their own routine
Ordinary clothes and cloth nappies are not the same laundry job. Follow the nappy manufacturer’s guidance and a suitable routine for dealing with body waste, detergent dose and drying. Do not assume a mild short wash that works for lightly worn bodysuits will clean a nappy load adequately.
If your baby has a nappy rash or you suspect residue, ask your child health nurse or GP and review the wash routine. Avoid adding fabric softener or improvised essential-oil treatments. Keep all detergents and stain treatments in their original containers, out of children’s reach, and keep soaking buckets inaccessible.
While you are preparing the first wash, see our getting ready for baby guide and nursery essentials checklist. Start with a simple routine and buy extra products only when there is a job for them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best laundry detergent for babies in Australia?
There is no single medically best option for every baby. A fragrance-free detergent suitable for your fabrics and machine is a practical starting point. The three options above have Australian listings; check the exact pack and your child’s response.
Is OMO Sensitive good for baby clothes?
The named Sensitive powder and liquid are options for compatible washable baby clothes. Their AU listings state no fragrance for the powder and no dyes or perfumes for the liquid. Follow pack directions; those features do not guarantee that every baby will tolerate them.
Should I wash newborn clothes before they are worn?
Yes. Raising Children Network recommends washing baby clothes before first wear to remove excess dyes and chemicals. Follow the care label and dry the clothes fully before putting them away.
Can I wash baby clothes with the rest of the family laundry?
Usually, if colours, fabrics, soil levels and care instructions are compatible. Keep heavily soiled items and cloth nappies on an appropriate separate routine. If your clinician recommends a particular detergent, use it for items that contact your baby’s skin.
What should I wash baby clothes in if my baby has eczema?
Discuss the rash and possible triggers with your GP. A fragrance-free option may help reduce exposure to an irritant, but it is not an eczema treatment. Use the correct dose, rinse well and follow your child’s care plan.
