What is Muslin Cotton & What is a Muslin Swaddle, Blanket, or Washcloth?
By: Ellie Tot
Tags: Moms, Pregnancy, Motherhood, Baby, Parenting

Since the launch of our soft muslin washcloth a bunch of people asked us, What is a muslin blanket?, What is muslin cotton? What is a Muslin Swaddle and why do we need one? Since we focuses on muslin baby products we have answers for all of your muslin questions.

WHAT IS MUSLIN?

Muslin is a type of woven cotton fabric, it is not a material, but a method used to create a strong, breathable, mesh-like cotton fabric.

This may be the first time hearing about Muslin, but it has been around for centuries. Muslin dates way back to the ancient times and gets its name from Masulipatnam, the port town in India where the material was traded.

Other scholars think Muslin originated in the town of Mosul, Iraq where light breathable material was common in the dessert heat. This style of weaving cotton was also very popular in Europe in the 1800’s due to its comfortable feel especially during the summer or in hot weather.

The difference between muslin and common cotton fabrics and is a lower thread count and slightly larger space between threads. This makes muslin cotton durable, but more breathable and comfortable than traditional cotton fabrics.

BENEFITS OF USING MUSLIN WASHCLOTHS

Now that the history lesson is out of the way, the soft cotton fabric remains popular today, especially among new parents. Here are some reasons why you can use Muslin Washcloths

Exfoliating Cleaning: They are really effective when cleansing the skin. They have a gentle exfoliating action that helps remove impurities and leaves your skin feeling clean and smooth.

They are really effective when cleansing the skin. They have a gentle exfoliating action that helps remove impurities and leaves your skin feeling clean and smooth. Soft and Gentle: They are soft and gentle on the skin — you don’t want to pull or scratch your face while cleansing.

They are soft and gentle on the skin — you don’t want to pull or scratch your face while cleansing. Re-usable and last a long time: They are re-usable so much more environmentally friendly than cleansing wipes and contain no toxic chemicals just 100% pure cotton. They can be added to your washing machine and reused over and over.

They are re-usable so much more environmentally friendly than cleansing wipes and contain no toxic chemicals just 100% pure cotton. They can be added to your washing machine and reused over and over. Naturally anti-microbial anti-bacterial: They dry very quickly due to their open weave so this prevents any bacteria growing. That’s the last thing you need especially if you suffer from acne or eczema. Also makes them perfect for traveling.

Take a peek out our all-natural cotton line of soft muslin washcloths.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

MUSLIN SWADDLES

For infants, muslin swaddles have multiple benefits, a few are listed below:

Natural and breathable fabric: Unlike other materials or traditional cotton, which can trap a baby’s body heat and prohibit movement, muslin is an incredibly soft and breathable fabric. It’s freely woven, allowing heat to escape and fresh air to enter so your baby can be comfortable, calm, and healthy

Unlike other materials or traditional cotton, which can trap a baby’s body heat and prohibit movement, muslin is an incredibly soft and breathable fabric. It’s freely woven, allowing heat to escape and fresh air to enter so your baby can be comfortable, calm, and healthy Mimics the shape and feeling of the womb: Muslin swaddle blankets are designed to envelop babies in a gentle, warm environment, similar to that of the womb. The fabric even becomes softer with every wash!

Muslin swaddle blankets are designed to envelop babies in a gentle, warm environment, similar to that of the womb. The fabric even becomes softer with every wash! Helps babies sleep through sleep cycles: Everyone knows that sleep is essential to babies. But discomfort can definitely interfere with shut eye. It’s only logical that a soft, temperate womb-like environment can help your baby establish better sleep patterns.

Everyone knows that sleep is essential to babies. But discomfort can definitely interfere with shut eye. It’s only logical that a soft, temperate womb-like environment can help your baby establish better sleep patterns. Helps with Breast Feeding: Due to the lightweight design of muslin swaddle cloths, babies can still feel the heat of their mother’s chest during breastfeeding. Soft, snugly muslin also allows for easy handling of your baby and a very comfortable hold during feeding time.

EXAMPLES OF OTHER MUSLIN PRODUCTS

Just in case you are still wondering what muslin cotton could be sued for, here are a few examples:

Muslin burp cloths Big floor blankets / Tummy-time blanket Nursing cover/blanket Reusable wipes Swaddling Changing table cover / mat cover Covering a car seat while they sleep for shade Swaddles while in car seat or stroller for safety Stroller cover Baby bib

Thanks for reading. 🙂

Ellie Tot