Onesies, whether for babies or adults, are the epitome of comfort and coziness. However, to maintain their quality, softness, and vibrant colors, proper care is essential.
As new parents of a young baby, you’re no stranger to the spills, stains, and surprises that come with parenthood.
I am going to share my top tips for how to wash a onesie, so you can keep your baby looking and feeling their best at all times.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through essential tips, techniques, and precautions for washing onesies perfectly every time.
How to Wash a Onesie Key Takeaways:
- Pre-wash preparation and following care label instructions are essential for perfect results.
- To prevent visible wear and maintain vibrant colors, it’s recommended to use cold water and a mild detergent, especially when washing dark colored clothes. (avoid washing light onesies with darker ones.)
- Air dry the onesie if possible

Essential Onesie Washing Tips
Not sure how to wash a onesie the right way, no worries, by the end of this article you will!
When it comes to washing onesies, a few key factors need to be considered. Always check the care label and fabric type, as this will provide you with detailed instructions for washing and drying the garment. Additionally, knowing how to properly wash onesies will ensure they last longer and maintain their quality.
Thankfully, almost all onesies are machine washable, but you do want to be careful when it comes time for the first wash!
To prevent visible wear and maintain vibrant colors, it’s recommended to use cold water and a mild detergent, especially when washing dark colored clothes.
Care Labels and Fabric Types
Proper onesie washing hinges on understanding and reading care labels and fabric types. Some fabrics, like a cotton flannel, jersey knit, or fleece onesie, can shrink when washed in warm water, so following the care instructions is critical. Whereas micro polar fleece will not.
Always sort your laundry by colors and consider using a mesh laundry bag to protect your onesies. Avoid using dryer sheets or fabric softener, which may contain chemicals that irritate sensitive skin. By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll ensure your onesies remain in good condition for a long time.
Cold Water and Mild Detergent
Preventing fabric shrinkage and color fading when washing onesies, requires the use of cold water. Similarly, a mild detergent is crucial, as it is gentle on fabric and ensures that the onesie is rinsed thoroughly to absorb excess detergents and prevent residue buildup. Avoiding fabric softeners can also help maintain the quality of a onesie.
Avoid using chlorine bleach, which can damage the fabric. Additionally, flipping the onesie inside out before washing can help preserve the quality of the fabric and prevent visible wear on the outside surface.

Washing Baby Onesies Safely
Ensuring the safety and comfort of your little one necessitates that baby clothing, like onesies and baby’s clothes, are washed with extra care and attention. Using a gentle, fragrance-free detergent will help avoid irritation to the baby’s sensitive skin.
It’s also important to tackle any stains and follow the recommended precautions when doing baby laundry, as improper washing can lead to skin irritation and exposure to harmful germs.
Selecting a Baby-Friendly Detergent
For your baby’s comfort and safety, selecting a baby-friendly detergent is of paramount importance. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Opt for a gentle, chemical-free detergent that won’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. You don’t want anything with harsh chemicals.
- Look for a hypoallergenic detergent to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
- Make sure to thoroughly rinse your baby’s clothes to remove any detergent residue.
- Consider using a detergent specifically formulated for baby clothes, as they are often designed to be extra gentle.
By following these tips, you can keep your baby’s skin safe and free from any potential allergens, ensuring the health of your baby’s skin.
While special baby detergent options are available, using a mild and fragrance-free laundry detergent can also be safe for babies.

Dealing with Stubborn Stains
Given that babies can be messy, knowing how to handle stubborn stains on onesies becomes vital. Natural ingredients like vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and baking soda can be effective in removing tough stains. For example, vinegar can pre-treat stains before washing, while rubbing alcohol can help get rid of particularly stubborn spots.
Vinegar
Vinegar works grat at removing tough stains, soak a white clean towel in veinegar and gently brush away at the stain. Make sure you rinse the clothes well to get rid of the sometimes pungent smell of vinegar.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is also great at removing stains, pour pour some on a paper towel and rub it into the stained area until the stain is gone.
Remember to rinse the onesie thoroughly after using these stain removers to avoid any unpleasant odors.
Precautions for Washing Baby Onesies
Maintaining the quality and hygiene of baby onesies necessitates taking precautions when washing. Always check the care labels and fabric types before washing to prevent shrinkage or damage.
Use the gentle cycle and cold water to protect the delicate fabric and to avoid stretching. When drying baby onesies, air dry them or use a dryer on a low setting to avoid excessive heat.

Washing Adult Onesies Properly
Maintaining the quality and durability of adult onesies also demands proper care. Paying attention to temperature, cycle settings, and washing methods can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your adult onesie in tip-top shape.
Temperature and Cycle Settings
To prevent fabric damage, it is important to choose the right temperature and cycle settings for adult onesies. Use warm water and a small amount of mild detergent, as adult onesies require hotter water and tougher detergents than baby onesies for obvious reasons.
To make it simple, check the instructions on your onesie, but for the most part, you will be using the gentlest setting on your washing machine for most onesies.
Check the care label on the onesie to ensure you’re using the appropriate settings for the fabric type.
Hand Washing vs. Machine Washing
Both hand washing and machine washing present their own benefits and drawbacks in the context of washing adult onesies. Hand washing is gentle on the fabric and can help prevent cross-contamination, but it can be time-consuming and challenging to remove tough stains.
Machine washing is more convenient and efficient, but it may be harder to get the temperature and cycle settings just right on a washing machine, which can damage the fabric. Ultimately, the choice between hand washing and machine washing depends on your preference and the specific care instructions for your onesie.
If it says machine wash is okay, I would go ahead and wash it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Drying Onesies the Right Way
To maintain the quality of onesies and prevent shrinkage or fabric damage, proper drying is key. Using effective air drying techniques and knowing when to use a dryer can help keep your onesies in excellent condition.
It’s important to read the care instructions on the onesie’s label before attempting to dry
Air Drying Techniques
Air drying is a great way to prevent shrinkage and fabric damage from hot air. Make sure you have good ventilation when you are air drying and avoid direct sunlight, which can cause colors to fade. Using room temperature air for drying is ideal for maintaining the quality of your clothes.
Lay the onesie flat on a clean surface to dry, ensuring that it’s not exposed to direct heat, or direct exposure to sunlight. Proper air drying can prolong the life of your onesie and keep it looking its best.
When to Use a Dryer
While air drying is often the best choice for onesies, there are times when using a dryer may be appropriate. If the care label permits, use the lowest temperature setting and the shortest cycle to avoid shrinkage or fabric damage.
Keep in mind that using a dryer can increase the risk of fabric damage, so always exercise caution and follow the care instructions on your onesie. Keep checking along the way and as soon as it’s dry enough, whip it out and let it air dry the rest of the time! If you use a dryer sheet to prevent excess static, make sure it is fragrance free.

Ironing and Storage Tips
Maintaining the quality and appearance of your onesie necessitates proper ironing and storage. By following these tips, you can prevent wrinkles and keep your onesie looking fresh and organized.
When ironing, use a low heat setting and a pressing cloth to protect the fabric.
Ironing Precautions
If you opt to iron your onesies, which is generally not recommended, and honestly who has time for that! Use a strong ironing board and a safe iron on a low heat setting. Avoid direct exposure to the iron for more than a few seconds.
Always follow the care instructions on your onesie to ensure safe and proper ironing.
Storing Onesies Neatly
To maintain the appearance of your onesies, it’s essential to store them neatly and keep them wrinkle-free. Fold your onesie carefully and place it in a dresser drawer or a drawer with dividers. This will help keep your onesie organized and prevent wrinkles from forming during storage.
By taking the time to store your onesie properly, you can ensure it stays in great condition and is always ready to wear.
Summary
In conclusion, washing onesies perfectly every time involves understanding care labels, using cold water and mild detergent, selecting the right temperature and cycle settings, and following proper drying, ironing, and storage techniques. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can keep your onesie looking and feeling its best for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can you dry a onesie?
You can dry your onesie at room temperature, which might take more than a day, or you can pop it in the dryer on low-medium heat with the gentlest option selected.
How do you wash a 100% polyester onesie?
For best results, wash your 100% polyester onesie in cold water on the gentle cycle with a mild detergent. To protect embellishments and avoid damage to the fabric, you can also hand wash your onesie in warm water with mild detergent. Always check the care label for specific instructions.
How do you keep onesies soft?
Keep your onesies soft by washing them at a low temperature with mild non-bio detergent and letting them dry naturally instead of using a tumbler dryer.
How do you wash footed pajamas?
To keep your footed pajamas looking their best, cold water and the gentle wash setting is recommended. Turn your onesie inside out and avoid placing it in a hot dryer, instead hang drying or using a fluff setting for drying.
What is the best temperature for washing onesies?
For the best results when washing onesies, stick to cold water temperatures. This will help prevent color fading and shrinking of fabric.
I hope I have helped you learn how to best take care of your onesie or your baby’s onesie. I used to have one and I loved in it, I would have worn it everywhere if I could have. Always remember to wash it on a gentl cycle and air dry if possible.
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Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
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