How to Wash Maternity Bras and Nursing Tops Properly?

Maternity bras and nursing tops go through a lot: stretch, sweat, milk drips, frequent washing, and fabrics that are designed to be soft (and therefore easy to damage). At Hamlet Laundry Ltd in London, these are some of the most common “delicates” we see coming in with the same three problems: stretched elastic, lingering sour odour, and stains that set in.

This guide is written to help you avoid all three—at home—using practical steps that match what major laundry authorities recommend (mesh bag + delicate cycle + mild detergent + air dry) and supported by hygiene and textile evidence.

Quick answer (1-minute safe method)

If you only read one section, read this:

• Use cool/cold water and a mild detergent.
• Hand wash if you can; if not, machine wash on delicate in a mesh laundry bag.
• Remove pads and wash them separately (they trap residue).
• Rinse well (an extra rinse helps reduce detergent buildup that can cause odour).
• Air dry—avoid tumble dryers to protect elastic and shape.
• For milk stains, rinse with cold water first (hot water can set protein stains).

Choose the safest method for your garment (fast checklist)

Use this decision table to pick the safest wash method in real life.

Why these items need gentle washing (elastic + hygiene)

Elastic and stretch fabrics don’t “love” heat + friction

A lot of maternity/nursing wear relies on spandex/elastane for comfort and support. Textile research on cotton/spandex knits shows laundering cycles can affect elastic behavior over repeated washes—one reason these garments can start to feel “loose” sooner than you’d expect.

That doesn’t mean “never wash them.” It means: wash smarter (gentle cycle, cooler water, less friction, air dry).

Milk residue isn’t just a stain problem

Milk residue is also a hygiene problem. The CDC notes that germs can grow quickly in breast milk or breast milk residue left on pump parts—different object, same principle: residue encourages growth and needs proper cleaning.
So if you’ve had leakage onto a bra or nursing top, treat it sooner rather than “letting it sit until laundry day.”

Before you wash: the 90-second prep that saves your bras

1. Check the care label
   Follow the garment label first—especially for lace, molded cups, or special coatings.
2. Remove pads/inserts (if removable)
   Pads soak up milk, sweat, and detergent residue. Washing them separately improves cleaning and helps them keep shape.
3. Close hooks, clips, and zips
   This prevents snagging and twisting.
4. Separate from rough items
   Avoid washing with jeans, towels, hoodies, or anything with zippers/Velcro. If you must combine loads, use a mesh bag and keep the load “soft.”

How to hand wash maternity bras and nursing tops (best for longevity)

Hand washing is the gentlest option—and it’s often faster than people expect.

Step-by-step hand wash

1. Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water.
2. Add a small amount of mild detergent and swish.
3. Submerge the bra/top and gently agitate for 30–60 seconds.
4. Let it soak 10–15 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
6. Press water out with a towel (don’t wring).
7. Reshape cups/panels and air dry.

Why it works: less mechanical stress = less stretching and less abrasion on elastic seams.

How to machine wash nursing bras and tops safely (busy-parent method)

If you’re in the “I can’t hand wash another thing today” season of life—this is your safe plan.

Step-by-step machine wash

1. Put bras/tops in a mesh laundry bag (ideally one bra per bag).
   • This reduces damaging friction and tangling.
2. Choose delicate (or hand-wash) cycle.
3. Use cool/cold water.
4. Add a small amount of mild detergent (more isn’t better).
5. If your machine allows, choose low spin.
6. Consider an extra rinse if you’ve had leakage, heavy sweat, or you’re prone to residue/odour.

What to avoid (common “ruin it in one wash” mistakes)

• No tumble dryer (heat + tumbling = stretched elastic + warped cups).
• Avoid washing with heavy/rough items (friction + snagging).
• Avoid overdosing detergent (buildup can trap odour).

Drying rules (where most damage happens)

A lot of bras are “washed correctly”… and ruined in drying.

Best drying method

• Gently press out water (towel press)
• Reshape cups/panels while damp
• Air dry: lay flat on a drying rack, or hang in a way that doesn’t stretch straps
• Avoid direct high heat (radiator blasting / tumble dryer)

Whirlpool’s guide explicitly recommends air drying after a delicate wash in a mesh bag.
Tide Cleaners also warns that tossing delicates into the dryer can compromise elasticity and delicate fabrics.

Nursing tops: milk stains, deodorising, and fabric-smart care

Milk stains: cold rinse first

Milk contains protein and fat. A practical rule from stain-removal guidance: don’t use hot water on a still-stained item, because it can “cook” protein and make the stain harder to remove.

Milk stain method (safe for most nursing tops):

1. Rinse the stain from the back with cold water.
2. Apply a small amount of gentle detergent to the stain and rub lightly with fingers.
3. Wash normally (hand wash or delicate cycle).
4. Check before drying. If the stain remains, repeat—heat can set it.

When enzyme detergents help (and how to use them safely)

Enzymes are widely used in detergents to improve stain removal and cleaning performance.
A.I.S.E. notes that enzymes enable effective stain removal even at low washing temperatures (which is helpful for delicates).

How to apply this to nursing wear:

• If your care label allows, an enzyme detergent can help with everyday food/body stains at lower temperatures.
• If you or your baby are sensitive to fragrance, choose a fragrance-free option and rinse well.
• Always patch-test on delicate fabrics, and follow label instructions.

“It’s clean but still smells sour” (odour troubleshooting)

If you’ve ever washed a nursing top and it still smells a bit sour when it dries, it’s often one of these:

• Residue left in fibres (milk + sweat + detergent buildup)
• Not enough rinsing
• Item stayed damp too long before drying

Try:

• Use less detergent, add extra rinse, and ensure fast, complete drying.

How often should you wash nursing bras and tops?

There’s a balance between hygiene and garment lifespan. Good Housekeeping (cleaning experts) notes that washing bras after every wear isn’t usually necessary and can shorten lifespan; they suggest many bras can often be worn three to four times depending on sweat and activity, while sports bras should be washed after every use.

Our practical Hamlet Laundry rule-of-thumb:

• Wash immediately after noticeable leakage, sweat, or spit-up.
• Otherwise, rotate bras and wash after a few wears—especially if you can air them out between uses.

What we see at Hamlet Laundry (London): the 3 most common “new parent laundry” problems

This is the part that doesn’t come from a brand blog—it comes from handling delicates every week.

1. Heat damage
   Elastic bands and straps lose snap; cups warp. (Usually from tumble drying or very hot washing.)
2. Snagging + abrasion
   Hooks, clips, and rough items create pulls and pilling—especially on soft nursing tops.
3. Odour locked in by residue
   Overdosing detergent + not enough rinsing is a big culprit (especially in hard-water areas).

If you’re stuck in any of these loops—stains that won’t lift, odour that returns, bras that keep losing shape—a professional delicates service can be a sanity saver.

If you’re in London: a simple option when you’re overloaded

If you’re London-based and short on time, Hamlet Laundry Ltd can help with a delicates-safe wash for maternity wear, nursing bras, and nursing tops—especially when you need:

• careful handling (mesh-bag style protection, gentle cycles),
• stain pre-treatment for milk residue,
• and drying that preserves shape.

We keep it practical: you get clean, wearable essentials back—without sacrificing elasticity and comfort.

FAQs

Can you wash nursing bras in a washing machine?

Yes—if the care label allows. Use a mesh laundry bag, mild detergent, cool water, and the delicate cycle, then air dry.

Can nursing bras go in the dryer?

It’s strongly discouraged. Dryer heat and tumbling can compromise elasticity and shape; air drying is recommended by major laundry guidance.

What’s the best way to remove breast milk stains?

Rinse with cold water first and avoid heat until the stain is gone, because heat can set protein stains.

Do enzymes help at low temperatures?

Yes—industry guidance explains enzymes are used in detergents to improve cleaning and stain removal, including at low temperatures.

Why does milk residue need prompt cleaning?

The CDC warns that germs can grow quickly in breast milk or breast milk residue on pump parts—supporting the general hygiene principle of cleaning milk residue promptly.

Need a Break from Delicates Laundry? Let Hamlet Laundry Handle It 🤍

If you’re juggling feeding schedules, sleep deprivation, and a never-ending laundry pile, perfectly hand-washing maternity bras and nursing tops every time isn’t always realistic. And that’s okay.

At Hamlet Laundry Ltd, we help London parents take one thing off their plate—delicate laundry that needs extra care.

Why London parents trust Hamlet Laundry 🧺✨

• 🧼 Delicates-safe washing for maternity bras, nursing bras, and nursing tops
• 🌱 Gentle detergents and careful handling to protect elasticity and shape
• 🍼 Stain treatment for milk residue and odour, done properly (not rushed)
• 🚚 Convenient pickup & delivery across London
• ⏱️ Time-saving service for busy parents who need one less thing to worry about

We treat your most sensitive garments the same way we’d want ours treated—with patience, precision, and respect for the fabric.

When Hamlet Laundry is the right choice

• Your nursing bras keep losing shape
• Milk stains or sour smells won’t fully go away
• You don’t have time to hand-wash delicates properly
• You want professional care without leaving your home

💡 Sometimes the best care decision isn’t doing more—it’s letting professionals do it right.

👉 Let Hamlet Laundry Ltd take care of your delicates, so you can focus on what matters most.
📍 Serving London with reliable laundry pickup & delivery.