This comes up often: why does muslin sometimes come out of the wash feeling scratchy or bobbly instead of soft? Usually it's the wash routine, not the fabric. Treat it gently and muslin keeps getting softer, wash after wash.
Buying guide
Wash muslin baby clothes cold on a gentle cycle, skip fabric softener, and tumble dry low or hang to dry. The loose weave softens naturally with each wash. High heat and softener are what cause stiffness and pilling, not the fabric itself. Muslin cotton from Epic arrives pre-washed, so it starts soft and keeps softening from there.
By Vanessa & Bob, Epic in Bali · Updated 15 October 2026
This comes up often: why does muslin sometimes come out of the wash feeling scratchy or bobbly instead of soft? Usually it's the wash routine, not the fabric. Treat it gently and muslin keeps getting softer, wash after wash.
An everyday double-layer piece that goes through the most washes, so you'll notice the softening fastest
One piece covering more surface area, so the softening shows up all over, not just at the collar and cuffs
Worn against the skin all night, which is exactly why skipping softener and high heat matters most here
A top and bottom cut from the same muslin, so they soften at the same rate and still match after dozens of washes
The same weave and the same rule apply: hang it dry, skip the softener, and it only gets better with use
Usually it's high heat or fabric softener. Both coat or harden the cotton fibers. Wash cold on a gentle cycle, skip the softener, and dry on low heat or hang it, and the stiffness works itself out within a few washes.
Yes. The open weave creases easily, that's just how muslin behaves. It doesn't affect how it wears or washes.