In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We tested baby washcloths from Burt's Bees, Gerber, GroVia, and more to find the best
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Abriah Wofford ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ May 31, 2024
The Best Baby Washcloths for 2024
Want the best washcloth for your baby's bathtime? After researching more than 20 options, we purchased 11 baby washcloths available today for hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons. Since babies have more delicate skin than adults and parents desire a product that lasts extended use, we tested the washcloth competition for softness, absorbency, and durability. We also considered which option is the best for different jobs. Read on to discover the best of the bunch for every need and budget.
Without hesitation, we are giving Burt's Bees Organic Washcloth a top spot in our round-up. These cute washcloths come in a pack of 3 and are 100% organic cotton. Our favorite feature is that they offer different textures for different needs. There is a soft jersey knit side for sensitive areas like the face and neck and a textured terrycloth side suitable for vigorous scrubbing. We like that both textures are in one cloth, so you won't have to choose or get two things dirty. Even though the terrycloth side is somewhat coarse, both sides are still soft enough for delicate baby skin. These organic cloths have quality fabric and stitching, and they feel durable compared to much of the competition.
Burt's Bees Washcloths are baby-sized from the start, and they shrink about one inch after the initial wash, so you end up with a smaller-than-average surface area. We do not mind this, but if you want a larger cloth to drape over your baby during bath time, this is probably not the one for you. Burt's Bees cloths also have a thick border sewn around the edge that often shrinks differently from the rest of the fabric. It may cause the edges to curl up or warp the overall shape of the cloth. This irregularity does not affect how well the material will cleanse a baby, but they do not lay nice and flat for folding and storing. If you do not mind these few drawbacks, Burt's Bees Organic Washcloths are among the best bathtime options. We recommend them, especially if you hope to keep your baby products as natural as possible. Consider a larger option like the Kyapoo Washcloths if you need a bigger size.
Burt's Bees Washcloths come in a variet of cute prints.
Kyapoo Washcloths are some of the softest washcloths we have ever encountered. These plush microfiber cloths feel like a cloud when dry and have a sleek seal when wet. They are so soft that our 18-month-old tester did not want to let them go! Their velvety texture, large size, and high absorbency make them perfect for draping over small infants for warmth during bathtime. Kyapoo cloths have cute embroidery around the edge that prevents them from fraying, and there is no shrinkage after washing. Unlike some competitors, the Kyapoo retained its softness through multiple wash cycles and did not pill or stiffen during testing. This option is one of the most affordable in our review, and we love that you get so many great features for a reasonable price.
With softness comes struggles; these towels lack the texture required to remove significant messes and drop a lot of lint when new. Burt's Bees Organic Washcloth offers a side with more texture for scrubbing, and it could be a good choice if you like a washcloth with two different sides. The Kyapoo are also thick, making it difficult to manage skin creases typical to growing babies. Kyapoo baby washcloths may not be for everyone, but we appreciate the softness and budget-friendly price and recommend them for younger babies or toddlers with extra sensitive skin.
The Kyapoo Washcloth was a favorite of 18 month old Annie's, and she loved feeling the soft fabric on her belly.
You guessed it, the GroVia Cloth Wipes are designed for use with your favorite cloth diaper, but they also work great as washcloths! We love the Grovia cloths for versatility at and away from the changing table. These soft and absorbent terrycloth towels utilize a blend of polyester and cotton that provides efficient scrubbing power. With absolutely no shrinkage after the initial washing, what you see is what you get, and they lay perfectly flat for folding and storing, wash after wash. For this review, we evaluated these washcloths as a bathtime accessory, but many parents love them as cloth wipes, mealtime face wipes, and later, even kitchen rags. They are so durable that you can count on them to last for years. When we compared a new cloth to one we'd used for years, there was little difference beyond a slight loss of softness.
The texture of the GroVia Cloth Wipes is not as cushy as some other products we tested. The thickness that provides absorbency also inhibits getting into hard-to-reach places while cleaning a baby. Also, the size can make them less appealing for stashing in a diaper bag for on-the-go cleanups because of the somewhat bulky construction. The Burt's Bees Organic Washcloth is easier to stash in small spaces and could be a better choice for travel. While the cloth on the Grovia is very durable, in our experience, the stitching sometimes unravels, causing the edges to fray. However, we feel that these small inconveniences are not deal-breakers. If you value durability, versatility, and longevity, we think this one-and-done solution is perfect for babies and beyond.
We think that GroVia Cloth Wipes are the perfect size and texture for babies who are a bit older.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Compare Products
Bathtime should be fun! Having the right washcloth can make cleaning less of a hassle and more soothing for baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Baby Washcloths
For the washcloths in this review, we considered the range of situations where you need a washcloth and the most valuable features. We researched almost 25 options before settling on our selections. We include budget-friendly options and those with organic or softness in mind. We used each product with little ones, and after using them in the lab and on real babies, we developed a clear sense of how each product performs and which washcloths we prefer.
Baby Annie had a blast helping us choose the top baby washcloths for this review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why Trust GearLab
Our lead tester, Abriah Wofford, has been chasing babies around, trying to keep them clean for more than ten years as both a nanny and big sister to 5 siblings. Our pediatrician founder, , Dr. Juliet Spurrier, plays a significant role in product selection. Juliet has had much hands-on experience with many baby washcloths, using them with her two children and for various household purposes.
We compared cloths or different shapes, sizes, textures and materials.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Analysis and Test Results
We evaluated the baby washcloths in this review based on three primary performance metrics: softness, durability, and absorbency. We think parents will appreciate these features most during bathing or mealtime cleanups.
What's the Best Value?
Most of the products in this review are multi-packs that provide several washcloths. This kind of packaging can make it more challenging to tell what are the best deals. Two things to consider when finding a good value: Are the towels appropriate for your planned activities? How long will they last? The Kyapoo Washcloth comes in a pack of ten and is around a dollar apiece, depending on the sales price. They feel durable, suitable for cleaning little ones, and soft enough to avoid skin irritation if you use a gentle hand. If you are looking for multipurpose washcloths, these are the least expensive in the group and feel very durable, so they should last longer and offer more value over time. However, they are pretty rough and perhaps not ideal for infants and younger babies.
Burt's Bees Washcloths have a smooth knit side and a terry cloth side so you can tailor your scrub to the mess.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Cleaning Ability
The cleaning ability of a washcloth is influenced by its texture, thickness, and size. Smaller and thinner washcloths can be easier to use with infants and babies but may not be substantial enough for toddlers.
Burts Bees cloths have different textures on each side, giving it an edge over the competition and helping it high marks for cleaning ability. This cloth can be soft and delicate for the baby's skin and slightly rougher on the other for tougher messes. We like the ability to switch it up based on your need that day without bringing in a second product to the mix. The Gerber Cloths are the hardest to use for cleaning. They are so small and thin that the fabric rolls up as you scrub, and there isn't enough material to grab. They are too small to drape over baby bellies and do not provide much warmth. These features resulted in a low score for the brand name option.
We tested the OsoCozy Flannel Wipes in the tub, and while they are exceedingly soft, but found that we prefer to use them in the kitchen.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Softness/Comfort
Infants' skin is more delicate and thinner than adults' skin, causing it to be more prone to irritation. Therefore, finding a textured washcloth to clean the skin while being effective is essential. To achieve this happy medium, manufacturers offer a variety of fabrics and textures, depending on your preferences.
Some products, such as GroVia Cloth Wipes, have soft and finely looped terry cloth that is more delicate than your typical adult washcloth. The BabyBliss Muslin Washcloth and Aden + Anais Classic Washcloth are cotton muslin that takes a few cycles through the washing machine to reach their maximum coziness. The DermaFrida Bath Mitt is the only product in our review that is not fabric. Instead, it uses small silicone bristles to cleanse your baby's skin. While soft, this option might be somewhat aggressive for younger infants, in our opinion, and it seems to be a better fit for toddlers.
We found that Bamboo Organics Viscone Washcloths offered the perfect balance between texture and softness.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our favorite cloths use a supple fabric that is thin enough to clean in between the creases of all of your baby's adorable fat rolls, but it still offers enough texture to grab dirt or grime stuck to the skin. The Kyapoo Washcloth is an uber-soft synthetic microfiber and is the cushiest of the bunch. However, some feel that it is almost too soft and doesn't cleanse the skin as thoroughly as others. The Amazon Basics Washcloth has the roughest textured terry cloth out of the group and requires a gentle hand when used with infants.
These cloths work well for scrubbing away messes, but if you have a baby with extra sensitive skin, we recommend looking elsewhere.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Durability
Initially, you may think you only need your washcloths to last until your baby grows into childhood, but you may find that you appreciate them for other tasks outside of baby washing. That is when actual durability and longevity come into play.
We examined each washcloth to see if the fabric had any snags after use or if a trip through the washing machine resulted in loosened stitching. Aden + Anais Classic Washcloths show great attention to detail and quality in the fabric makeup and the sturdiness of the border stitching. These towels also get softer and softer with time, making them a favorite for long-term use. Unfortunately, some long-lasting options achieve their durability by sacrificing softness, as is the case with the Natemia Bamboo Washcloth, which is more durable but not as soft as other top-ranking options.
Annie uses the soft and scrubby Burt's Bees washcloth to clean herself.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We've been using the Grovia Cloth Wipes for years. They function perfectly as baby wipes, washcloths, and even kitchen rags (once you're done using them on your baby). Impressively, after years of extensive use, these wipes hold up well. When comparing a new wipe with a well-loved version, the older one was about the same, with slightly decreasing softness and faded color. The Burt's Bees Organic Washcloth is another option we believe will last for years.
The Kyapoo Washcloth is uber soft and absorbent and also doubles as a fun bathtime toy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Absorbency
Absorbency is essential no matter how you intend to use your baby washcloth. The ideal washcloth can absorb and hold a large amount of liquid to help wipe away gunky messes. We also like to use the cloth to gather water during bathtime and squeeze it over the baby for a fun waterfall rinse.
You can use this wipe for quick face clean-ups and accidental spills during mealtimes. Generally, thicker washcloths are more absorbent, but the thicker options might be more challenging to manage when bathing a tiny, squirmy baby. The microfiber Kyapoo Washcloths is one of the most absorbent options in this review, thanks to its substantial fabric makeup.
Having an absorbent baby washcloth comes in handy when you have a sticky mess on your hands, or your baby's hands.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Baby washcloths are an essential component of most nightly bathtime routines. You might be surprised by how many other uses you find for these handy washcloths. Little messes (everywhere) are inevitable when you have a baby, and keeping an ample supply of baby washcloths at the ready can make life much simpler. Our lineup of competitors each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but a few products offered top performance. We believe our tests, everyday use, and insights can help you find the perfect washcloth for your growing family.
