Keep Your Nursing Dress Looking New: Simple Care Tips

Quick answer

Wash your nursing dress inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then air dry it flat or on a hanger. Cold water protects stretch fibers and nursing access openings, while air drying prevents shrinkage and pilling. Treat stains before they set, and skip the dryer unless the care label specifically allows low heat.

Read the label before you do anything

Every nursing dress is built differently. Some have modal jersey bodices, some have organic poplin skirts, and some combine both. The care label tells you whether the fabric can handle a machine wash or needs hand washing. If the label says dry clean only, follow that. If it says machine wash cold, you have more flexibility.

Check the nursing access design too. Pull-aside necklines, lift-up knots, and adjustable ties can stretch out or snag if you wash them carelessly. Fasten any ties or hooks before washing so they do not catch on other clothes.

Pre-treat stains while they are fresh

Milk, spit-up, and diaper blowouts are the usual suspects. Blot liquid stains with a clean cloth, then run cool water through the back of the fabric to push the stain out rather than deeper in. Apply a small amount of gentle stain remover or liquid detergent directly to the spot and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Do not rub vigorously. Rubbing can pill jersey or distort a delicate knit. For oily stains, a drop of dish soap works well. For protein stains like milk, an enzyme-based cleaner is your best bet. Always test on an inside seam first.

Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle

Turn the dress inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag if you have one. Use cold water and a mild detergent. Cold water keeps colors from fading and prevents stretch fabrics from losing their shape. Skip fabric softener because it coats fibers and can reduce the stretch and breathability of modal or jersey.

Wash with similar colors and lightweight items. Heavy towels or jeans can rough up the fabric and put stress on seams. If your dress has a poplin skirt, avoid overloading the machine so it has room to move without twisting.

Dry flat or hang to air dry

The dryer is the fastest way to shrink a nursing dress or make it pill. Instead, lay the dress flat on a drying rack or hang it on a padded hanger. If you hang it, support the full weight of the skirt so the shoulders do not stretch out. For jersey and modal, laying flat is safest.

If the care label allows low heat, use the lowest setting and remove the dress while it is still slightly damp. But air drying is almost always the better choice for keeping nursing clothes looking new.

Handle wrinkles and storage with care

Steam the dress instead of ironing whenever possible. If you must iron, use the lowest setting and press on the reverse side. For poplin, a warm iron can work, but keep it moving. For jersey or modal, avoid direct heat because it can melt or shine the fibers.

Store your nursing dress folded or on a hanger with enough space so the nursing access does not get crushed. Do not cram it into a drawer with heavy items that can snag the fabric.

Your step-by-step nursing dress wash routine

1. Check the care label and close all nursing access points: Read the label for water temperature and drying instructions. Fasten ties, hooks, or knots so they do not snag during the wash. If the label says dry clean only, stop here and take it to a cleaner.
2. Pre-treat stains with a gentle cleaner: Blot fresh stains, flush from the back with cool water, and apply a small amount of stain remover. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Never rub hard or use hot water on protein stains like milk—it sets them.
3. Wash inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle: Use a mesh laundry bag and mild detergent. Skip fabric softener and wash with similar colors and lightweight items. Cold water and a gentle cycle protect stretch fibers and nursing openings.
4. Air dry flat or hang with support: Lay the dress flat on a drying rack or hang it on a padded hanger, supporting the skirt's weight. Avoid the dryer unless the label allows low heat. Air drying prevents shrinkage, pilling, and stretched-out shoulders.
5. Steam or iron on low heat if needed: Steam is safest for jersey and modal. If ironing, use the lowest setting and press on the reverse side, especially for poplin. Never iron directly on nursing access knots or ties—they can melt or shine.

Fabric care by style

• Vivian Maternity & Nursing Maxi Dress: Vivian Maternity & Nursing Maxi Dress has a faux wrap design with a v-neck pull-aside access and functional pockets. The pull-aside neckline can stretch if washed with heavy items, so use a mesh bag and avoid overloading the machine.
• Liv Maternity & Nursing Dress: Liv Maternity & Nursing Dress has hidden nursing access under a lift-up twisted knot and short sleeves. The twisted knot can come undone or snag, so fasten it before washing and check it after each cycle.
• Willow Nursing Dress: Willow Nursing Dress combines a soft modal jersey bodice with a crisp water-washed organic poplin skirt and adjustable ties at the V-neckline. The two fabrics need different care: modal jersey dries flat to keep its shape, while poplin can handle a warm iron on the reverse if needed.