Best Baby Towels and Washcloths
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Natemia Is there anything cuter than a baby getting a bath? We don’t think so. Especially when a little one is wrapped in an adorable hooded baby towel — bonus points if the towel makes her look like a duck or a bear.
Though some expecting parents may question if they really need towels and washcloths that were designed just for babies, most find they are happy to have them in their collection. Not only are they typically incredibly cute, but they are generally smaller and softer than adult-size bath towels and washcloths, which makes it easier to wrap your child up quickly after a bath or wipe them down while they’re in the tub.
How we chose the best baby towels and washcloths
- We turned to the What to Expect community to gather a consensus on brands and specific baby towels and washcloths that parents have used and loved for their own children.
- We also tapped the WTE community to get a sense of what features parents prioritize in a baby towel or washcloth. With that in mind, all of the washcloths and towels on our list are:
- Primarily made of cotton or bamboo for ideal softness and absorbency
- Machine washable for convenience
- We selected towels and washcloths that had overwhelmingly positive reviews regarding softness, style and durability.
Other factors to consider when buying baby towels and washcloths
- Fabric type and texture: Babies have sensitive skin, so you’ll want gentle, soft fabric in your towels. Most parents love cotton and bamboo, though 100 percent cotton is recommended if your baby has eczema.
- Size: Typically baby towels are a little smaller than regular towels, making it easier to dry little ones off quickly. Most baby towels are 30 x 30 inches; larger ones might be usable longer as your child grows.
- Towel and washcloth type: We typically recommend baby towels with hoods, since they keep baby’s head warm after a bath and make it easier to dry her off. You can find regular washcloths or wash mitts. The latter might be easier to use on a squirmy infant, but it really comes down to personal preference.
- Fabric quality: Some parents feel extra peace of mind when buying organic towels and washcloths, since they’re going on baby’s skin. If that’s you, look for an OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton or Standard 100 label on the product, which means that the product was independently tested and certified to contain organic cotton and/or is free from harmful substances. Another option: the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) label, which certifies that the fabric is made with entirely organic fibers and its production meets ethical and sustainable labor standards.
How many baby towels and washcloths do I need?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) both say that most babies only need to be bathed two to three times a week. (Anything more may dry out baby’s sensitive skin, say both organizations.) As such, you likely won’t need a ton of baby towels and washcloths to keep your little one clean. We typically recommend two or three towels, and three to five washcloths or washcloth mitts, although some WTE parents like to stock up on washcloths to use on spit up, drool or food mess. The more little ones you have, the more you’ll need.
How do I fold hooded baby towels?
There are a few different schools of thought for folding a hooded baby towel. But one of the most popular methods ensures that the cute design typically situated on the hood is easy to see even once the whole towel is folded. Here’s how to do it:
- Lay your towel out flat, with the hood facing up.
- Fold up the bottom half of the towel in thirds (horizontally). The hood should look like a triangle sitting on top of a long strip of folded towel.
- Fold in the ends of the towel into the middle so the seam is touching the edge of the hood on each side.
- Roll the two sides in to meet each other in the middle.
- Gently pull the hood fabric down over the rolled towel segments.
Check out the best baby washcloths and towels below.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Baby Towel Overall
Bamboo Queen 2-Pack Premium Bamboo Baby Bath Towel
- Affordable
- soft
- Some parents found them to be a little thin
This is the baby towel recommended over and over by What to Expect community parents. “I LOVE THESE ONES!” raves one mom. “These are the best towels! Even softer than our Kyte baby towel which costs a lot more,” says another. The absorbent hooded towels are made with bamboo, ensuring they’re soft and gentle on baby’s skin. The simple design and multiple color combos ensures that they’ll look great in your home (and on your kids) for years to come. And once baby outgrows them, you can find the exact same towel in a slightly larger size suitable for bigger kids.
Materials: 100 percent bamboo rayon
Size: 30 x 30 inches
Care instructions: Machine wash
Best Hooded Baby Towel
Luvable Friends Unisex Baby Hooded Towel with Five Washcloths
- Cute
- affordable
- lots of design options
- Some say the fabric is a little thin and cheap feeling
With more than 24,000 five-star reviews, this towel and washcloth set is a major hit with parents. (What to Expect parents also love this brand’s sleep sacks and pajamas.) The cotton-polyester blend is soft on your baby’s skin, and the set comes with five additional washcloths for under $10, making it ridiculously affordable. It’s available in 18 different designs.
Materials: 75 percent cotton, 25 percent polyester
Size: 30 x 30 inches (towel), 9 x 9 inches (washcloths)
Care instructions: Machine wash
Best Organic Baby Towel
Burt's Bees Baby 2-Pack Organic Cotton Hooded Towels
- Soft
- GOTS-certified fabric
- beautiful design
- Not very absorbent
Eco-minded What to Expect community parents swear by Burt’s Bees for all things baby, including the brand’s gorgeous baby towels. “I actually love their washcloths too and towels! They're super soft and really great,” says one WTE mom. The soft hooded towels are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton for extra peace of mind. The fabric is smooth on one side and looped on the other from fabric that has been combed and ring-spun to prevent pilling and to enhance softness. The set of two comes in lots of pretty prints and designs, making them a great shower gift.
Material: 100 percent organic cotton
Size: 29 x 29 inches
Care instructions: Machine wash
Best Baby Towel and Washcloth Set
Cloud Island Baby Fox Bath Towel And Washcloth Set
- Affordable set
- cute design
- Some parents wish it was softer
What to Expect Community parents love Cloud Island for affordable baby gear, and it’s easy to see why. This adorable six-piece set comes all rolled up in a mesh bag and tied with a bow, which makes it perfect for gifting. The soft cotton and polyester towel is OEKO-TEX 100 certified, meaning it’s free of harmful chemicals that you don’t want anywhere near baby’s skin. The elephant-themed set includes one hooded towel, four washcloths and a decorative elephant lovey washcloth that will soothe your baby at bathtime. (You can also find a bear or unicorn version of the same set.)
Material: 85 percent cotton, 15 percent recycled polyester
Size: 30 x 30 inches (towel), 9 x 9 inches (washcloths), 10 x 10 inches (elephant lovey)
Care Instructions: Machine wash and tumble dry
Best Bamboo Baby Towel
Bamboo Baby Hooded Towel by KeaBabies
- Organic fabric
- soft
- large size
- Some find it doesn't hold up well in the wash
Made of 100 percent pure organic bamboo, this KeaBabies hooded towel offers several advantages. It’s two times more absorbent and dries three times as fast as normal cotton towels, so your little one won’t catch a chill. It’s also hypoallergenic and mold- and odor-resistant, which are ideal features for sensitive baby skin. It’s also a few inches larger than standard baby towels and will fit your child until age 6. And those teddy bear ears are pretty darn cute, too!
Material: 100 percent organic bamboo viscose
Size: 35 x 35 inches
Care instructions: Machine wash cold
Best Plush Baby Towel
Natemia Organic Cotton Hooded Towel for Babies and Toddlers
- Super soft
- certified organic cotton
- larger size
- More expensive than other options on this list
If you’re looking for a super soft, thick towel, look no further than this luxe option from Natemia. Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, this plush hooded towel will keep your baby warm and dry after bath time. Parents say that it’s really absorbent, too. The slightly larger size ensures that it can be used as your little one grows up — ideal considering that these towels are slightly pricier than other options on the market.
Materials: 100 percent organic cotton
Size: 35 x 35 inches
Care instructions: Machine wash and dry
Best Baby Washcloths
Hip Hop Panda Bamboo Baby Washcloths
Many WTE parents recommend stocking up on baby washcloths since they can be used to wipe up lots of messes in and out of the tub. You can’t go wrong with this affordable set, which boasts over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Parents say they’re super soft and absorbent, making it easy to gently clean off baby’s skin without causing irritation. They come in a few different colors, too.
Materials: 90 percent bamboo rayon, 10 percent cotton
Size: 10 x 10 inches
Care instructions: Machine wash
Best Organic Baby Washcloths
The Honest Company 10-Pack Washcloths
- Dual-certified organic fabric
- soft
- Don't hold their shape in the wash
These organic cotton washcloths are trimmed with raw-edge jersey that’s delicate on even the most sensitive baby’s skin. The fabric is GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified for maximum peace of mind. Some parents say these washcloths are so soft that they keep a few for their own bathroom to use. With 10 in the pack, there’s more than enough to go around. Just note that they may become a bit misshapen in the wash, according to parents who have used them.
Materials: 100 percent organic cotton
Size: 10 x 10 inches
Care instructions: Machine washable
Best Wash Mitts
Mushie Organic Cotton Bath Mitt 2-Pack
- Soft
- easy to use
- More expensive than traditional washcloths
If you have a squirmy baby — or just want to have a slightly easier time washing her — you can’t go wrong with a bath mitt like this one. Made from organic cotton, it just slips on over your hand and stays put with an elastic cuff. Parents swear that they make washing babies so much easier. While they’re a little more expensive than regular washcloths, many parents find them well worth it, especially considering you can throw them in the washing machine with the rest of baby’s laundry.
Materials: 100 percent organic terry cotton
Size: 4.25 x 9.5 inches
Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
What to Expect the First Year, 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff.
American Academy of Dermatology, How to Bathe a Newborn: Tips from Dermatologists, July 2019.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Bathing Your Baby, March 2020.
American Academy of Dermatology, How Can I Find Eczema Friendly Products?, Undated.
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