What Is a Muslin Throw? Four-Layer Cotton Muslin Explained

By Snoozyn · Updated October 2026

Muslin is a plain, loosely woven cotton that most people know from baby cloths. On its own it is thin and almost sheer. Layer it up and it becomes something quite different: a soft, airy throw with a crumpled, lived-in look.

Here is how a muslin throw is made, how it compares with gauze and wool, how to wash it, and which size to choose.

What is a muslin throw made of?

A muslin throw is made of cotton muslin: a fine, plain-weave cloth woven loosely, so it is light and open. Ours are 100% cotton and built from four layers.

In a plain weave, each weft thread passes over one warp thread and under the next. Muslin uses this simplest of weaves with a relatively low thread density, which is what makes it soft, light and quick to dry. A single layer is too thin for a throw, so throw-weight muslin is layered.

What does four-layer muslin mean?

Four-layer muslin means four separate sheets of muslin joined into one cloth. The layers move slightly against each other and trap air between them, which gives the throw body and a soft, puffy handle without much weight.

After it is made, the cloth is washed, which makes the layers shrink and crinkle together into the characteristic crumpled texture. That finish is intentional: it is why a muslin throw looks relaxed straight from the washing line and does not show creases. The table compares the most common layer counts.

Cloth	Layers	Feel	Typical use
Single muslin	1	Thin, almost sheer	Baby cloths, kitchen use
Double gauze	2	Light, soft, airy	Light throws, bedding
Four-layer muslin	4	Soft, puffy, crumpled	Sofa and bed throws

How is muslin different from gauze?

Muslin and gauze are close relatives: both are light, open plain weaves in cotton. Gauze is usually the looser and finer of the two, while muslin is a touch denser, but the names are often used interchangeably.

Our Cloud Cotton throw is a double-layer cotton gauze, lighter than four-layer muslin and from £18.90. If you want to understand that fabric in more depth, our guide on what Cloud Cotton is and how it feels explains the weave. Both fabrics share the same crumpled look and the same easy care.

Is a muslin throw warm enough for winter?

A four-layer muslin throw adds a light, soft layer that suits most of the year. It is not as warm as wool, so on cold winter evenings most people prefer a wool or wool blend throw.

The trapped air between the layers gives muslin more warmth than its weight suggests, which is why a four-layer throw feels comfortable on a sofa in spring and autumn. In summer it is one of the most popular choices, alongside linen and waffle cotton; our round-up of the best throws for summer compares them. If you are choosing one throw for the whole year, our guide to choosing between wool and cotton sets out the trade-offs.

How do you wash a muslin throw?

Machine wash a cotton muslin throw at 30°C on a gentle cycle, then line dry it. There is no need to iron it: the crumpled texture is the finish.

1. Shake the throw out and wash it on its own or with similar colours.
2. Use a gentle 30°C cycle and a mild detergent; skip the bleach.
3. Give it a good shake as soon as the cycle ends.
4. Line dry it, ideally in the shade so darker colours keep their depth.
5. Fold it loosely or put it straight back on the sofa.

Muslin softens noticeably over its first few washes. For the rest of our cotton, linen and knitted throws, see how to wash a throw by fabric.

Which muslin throws do we sell, and in what sizes?

We sell two four-layer cotton muslin throws: a plain-edged one in 120×170 cm and 200×230 cm, and a fringed one in 130×170 cm, 150×200 cm and 200×230 cm.

The plain-edged cotton muslin throw in six shades comes in chocolate, taupe, white, light grey, charcoal and dusty blue, from £51.90. The fringed version comes in moss green, butter yellow, off white, sand, dark brown and black, from £54.90. The 120×170 cm and 130×170 cm sizes suit an armchair or two-seater, the 150×200 cm suits a three-seater, and the 200×230 cm size covers the top of a double or king bed like a light bedspread.

Frequently asked questions

Does a muslin throw get softer with washing?

Yes. Cotton muslin softens noticeably over its first few washes as the fibres relax and the layers loosen slightly. A muslin throw that has been washed a dozen times usually feels softer than it did new.

Does a muslin throw shrink?

Cotton can shrink slightly, but four-layer muslin has a washed finish, so it has already been through water before it reaches you. Washing at 30°C on a gentle cycle and line drying, rather than tumble drying, keeps any further change small.

Do you need to iron a muslin throw?

No. The washed, crumpled texture of four-layer muslin is the finish, so ironing would only flatten it. Shake the throw out well after washing and the layers settle back into their soft crinkle.

Can a muslin throw be used as a bedspread?

Yes, in the right size. A 200×230 cm muslin throw covers the top of a double or king bed, so it works as a light bedspread over a duvet or on its own in summer.

Why does my muslin throw look crinkled?

The crinkle is deliberate. Four-layer muslin is washed after weaving, and the layers shrink and pucker together. That texture is what gives a muslin throw its soft, puffy feel and means it never looks creased.

What colours do muslin throws come in?

Muslin takes colour well, from soft neutrals to deeper shades. Ours come in chocolate, taupe, white, light grey, charcoal and dusty blue, or with a fringe in moss green, butter yellow, off white, sand, dark brown and black.