Maternity clothes are designed to accommodate your changing body, provide comfort during pregnancy and, in many cases, remain useful during breastfeeding and postpartum. But because these clothes are often made from soft, stretchable and breathable fabrics, they need the right care to maintain their shape, softness and fit.
Knowing how to care for and wash maternity clothes can help extend their lifespan and keep them comfortable throughout pregnancy and beyond. From choosing the right washing cycle to drying clothes properly, a few simple laundry habits can make a noticeable difference.
Whether you have cotton maternity dresses, stretchable leggings, nursing tops, maternity nightwear or maternity lingerie, this guide explains how to clean and maintain them properly.
Why Proper Care Matters for Maternity Clothes
Maternity clothing often differs from regular clothing because it is designed around a changing body. Many pieces feature elastic waistbands, stretch fabrics, nursing openings, adjustable panels and softer materials.
Frequent washing can gradually affect these features if the clothes are exposed to excessive heat, harsh detergents or rough washing cycles.
Proper care can help:
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Preserve fabric softness
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Maintain elasticity
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Prevent unnecessary shrinking
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Protect nursing openings and zippers
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Reduce fabric wear
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Maintain the original shape
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Extend the useful life of maternity clothes
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Keep clothes comfortable against sensitive skin
This becomes particularly important when the same maternity clothes are worn repeatedly throughout pregnancy.
1. Always Check the Care Label First
Before washing any maternity garment, check its care label.
The label generally provides information about:
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Recommended washing temperature
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Machine or hand washing instructions
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Whether bleach can be used
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Drying instructions
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Ironing temperature
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Dry-cleaning requirements
Different fabrics can have very different care requirements. A cotton maternity dress may tolerate a different washing process from a delicate nursing bra or a stretch-heavy garment.
So, even if two garments look similar, avoid assuming that they should be washed in exactly the same way.
When purchasing new pieces, consider keeping garments with similar care requirements together. This makes laundry easier and reduces the risk of accidentally damaging delicate maternity clothing.
2. Separate Maternity Clothes Before Washing
Sorting laundry is one of the simplest ways to protect maternity clothes.
Separate clothes according to:
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Colour
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Fabric type
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Washing temperature
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Level of delicacy
Dark maternity clothes should generally be washed separately from lighter garments, particularly during the first few washes.
It is also useful to separate delicate maternity lingerie and nursing bras from heavier garments such as denim or jackets. Zippers, buttons and rough surfaces can cause friction against softer fabrics during a wash cycle.
If you're building a complete pregnancy wardrobe, you may also want to separate everyday clothing from your maternity nightwear collection, particularly when the fabrics have different care requirements.
3. Use a Gentle Washing Cycle
A gentle or delicate washing cycle is often a good choice for maternity clothes, particularly garments made from soft or stretchable materials.
A harsh washing cycle can put unnecessary stress on:
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Elastic waistbands
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Stretch fibres
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Nursing panels
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Decorative details
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Seams
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Lightweight fabrics
Use the washing machine setting recommended on the garment's care label.
Avoid automatically choosing the strongest cycle simply because the clothes appear dirty. For everyday maternity wear, a gentler cycle can often provide adequate cleaning while reducing unnecessary mechanical stress.
For particularly delicate pieces, hand washing may be more appropriate.
4. Choose a Mild Detergent
The detergent you use can also affect how maternity clothes feel after washing.
A mild detergent is generally preferable for soft garments and clothes that sit directly against the skin.
Avoid using excessive detergent. More detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner clothes. In some cases, detergent residue can remain on fabric and affect its feel.
For maternity clothes that are worn frequently, using the correct amount of detergent according to the product instructions can help maintain fabric quality.
If you have particularly sensitive skin, you may also prefer a fragrance-free or gentle detergent, especially for garments worn directly against the body.
5. Avoid Excessive Heat
Heat can be particularly hard on elastic and stretch fabrics.
High temperatures during washing or drying can contribute to:
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Shrinkage
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Loss of elasticity
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Fabric distortion
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Damage to delicate fibres
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Reduced garment lifespan
This is particularly important for maternity leggings, bras and fitted maternity clothing.
Whenever possible, follow the temperature recommendation on the care label instead of using hot water by default.
Cold or lukewarm water is often sufficient for everyday maternity clothing unless the garment specifically requires another temperature.
6. Turn Maternity Clothes Inside Out
Turning maternity clothes inside out before washing is a simple habit that can help protect the outer surface of the garment.
It can reduce direct friction on:
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Prints
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Embroidery
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Decorative elements
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Dark-coloured fabrics
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Soft outer surfaces
This is especially useful for frequently worn maternity T-shirts, dresses and casual clothing.
You can also close zippers and fasten buttons before putting garments into the washing machine. This reduces the possibility of hardware catching on another garment.
For delicate maternity lingerie, consider using a laundry bag to provide an additional layer of protection.
7. Take Extra Care With Maternity Lingerie
Maternity bras and nursing bras are exposed to frequent washing and regular stretching, so they require particularly careful handling.
Avoid washing delicate bras together with heavy clothing whenever possible.
Instead:
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Fasten the hooks before washing.
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Place delicate bras inside a mesh laundry bag.
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Use a gentle cycle.
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Avoid high temperatures.
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Avoid harsh bleach.
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Air-dry rather than using high heat.
The Mom Store's maternity lingerie collection includes pregnancy and nursing-focused essentials, so checking the individual care instructions for each garment is important before washing.
Proper care is particularly valuable for nursing bras because their fit and elasticity need to remain comfortable as the bust changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
8. Wash Maternity Nightwear Regularly
Maternity nightwear is often worn for several hours at a time, so regular washing is important.
However, repeatedly washing soft nightwear at high temperatures can cause unnecessary wear.
For most washable maternity sleepwear:
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Follow the care label
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Use a gentle cycle
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Use mild detergent
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Avoid excessive heat
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Dry naturally where possible
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Fold rather than hanging garments that may stretch
Soft cotton and cotton-blend nightwear can benefit from careful washing because frequent exposure to heat and aggressive detergents can gradually affect softness.
If you're purchasing pregnancy sleepwear, choose designs that are comfortable enough for repeated washing and practical enough to continue using postpartum.
9. Be Careful With Stains
Pregnancy and postpartum can come with more frequent spills and stains than usual, particularly when you're wearing clothes around meals, skincare products or while caring for a newborn.
The best approach is to treat stains as soon as practical.
Instead of immediately using strong bleach or aggressive stain removers:
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Gently remove excess material.
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Rinse the affected area.
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Apply a suitable stain treatment.
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Allow it to work according to the product instructions.
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Wash according to the garment's care label.
Avoid aggressively rubbing delicate fabrics because this can damage fibres or cause the affected area to look different from the rest of the garment.
10. How to Dry Maternity Clothes Properly
Drying is just as important as washing.
Whenever the care label permits, air drying can be a good option for maternity clothes because it avoids the high temperatures associated with tumble drying.
However, don't hang every garment in the same way.
Heavy or stretchable garments can become misshapen if they are hung while wet.
For delicate or stretch-heavy maternity clothes:
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Reshape them gently after washing.
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Avoid twisting or wringing.
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Lay delicate garments flat when recommended.
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Keep clothes away from excessive direct heat.
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Use a hanger only when appropriate for the garment.
If you use a dryer, follow the garment's drying instructions and select an appropriate low-heat setting when permitted.
11. Take Care of Maternity Dresses and Tops
Maternity dresses and nursing tops often contain special construction designed to accommodate a growing bump or make breastfeeding easier.
This can include:
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Side openings
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Nursing zippers
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Hidden panels
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Elastic sections
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Gathered fabric
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Adjustable elements
These components should be treated carefully during laundry.
The Mom Store's maternity and nursing tops collection includes clothing designed for both pregnancy and breastfeeding.
When washing these garments, close zippers where possible and avoid pulling aggressively on nursing openings. After washing, gently reshape the garment before drying.
12. How to Wash Maternity Leggings and Stretchable Bottoms
Maternity leggings and stretchable pants depend heavily on elastic and stretch fibres to maintain their fit.
To preserve that flexibility:
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Wash them inside out.
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Use cold or lukewarm water when recommended.
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Avoid harsh detergents.
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Avoid high heat.
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Do not wring them aggressively.
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Air-dry when possible.
If you frequently wear maternity leggings, rotating between multiple pairs can also reduce the amount of washing each individual garment receives.
The Mom Store's maternity leggings and denims collection offers different pregnancy-friendly bottomwear options, but individual care instructions should always take priority.
13. How to Store Maternity Clothes
Proper storage can help keep maternity clothing in good condition between wears and between pregnancies.
Before storing clothes for an extended period:
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Wash and completely dry them.
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Check for stains.
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Fold garments neatly.
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Store them in a clean, dry environment.
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Keep delicate fabrics away from excessive moisture.
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Avoid overcrowding the storage space.
For long-term storage, breathable fabric storage bags can be preferable to tightly packed plastic containers for many garments.
If you plan to reuse your maternity clothes after pregnancy or for a future pregnancy, label storage boxes by category. For example, you could keep maternity dresses, nightwear, leggings and nursing clothes separately.
14. Wash New Maternity Clothes Before Wearing Them
It can be a good practice to wash new clothes before wearing them, particularly garments that will sit directly against your skin.
A first wash can help remove manufacturing residues, dust or substances picked up during packaging and transportation.
Use the recommended care instructions rather than assuming that a new garment can tolerate a regular wash cycle.
This is particularly relevant for maternity lingerie, sleepwear and other clothing worn directly against the body.
15. Care for Maternity Clothes After Pregnancy
One advantage of modern maternity clothing is that many pieces are designed to be useful beyond pregnancy.
Nursing dresses, nursing tops, feeding-friendly nightwear and maternity leggings can often continue to be part of your wardrobe after delivery.
This makes proper maintenance even more important.
Instead of treating maternity clothes as short-term purchases, think of them as garments that may serve multiple stages:
Pregnancy → Postpartum → Breastfeeding → Everyday wear
Choosing versatile pieces and caring for them properly can help you get more value from your maternity wardrobe.
A Simple Maternity Laundry Routine
If you want to keep things simple, follow this basic routine:
Before washing:
Check the care label, sort colours and close zippers or fasteners.
During washing:
Use the recommended temperature, a mild detergent and a gentle cycle where appropriate.
After washing:
Avoid aggressive wringing, reshape garments and follow the correct drying instructions.
For storage:
Only store completely clean and dry clothes, and keep them in a cool, dry place.
This routine is simple enough to follow regularly while still protecting your maternity wardrobe.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to care for and wash maternity clothes doesn't require a complicated laundry routine. The most important habits are to follow care labels, avoid unnecessary heat, use appropriate detergents, protect delicate and stretchable fabrics, and dry garments correctly.
Maternity clothes are designed to adapt to your changing body, but the fabrics and construction still need proper care. Taking a little extra time with washing and storage can help preserve their softness, elasticity, fit and overall appearance.
If you're building a maternity wardrobe, explore The Mom Store's maternity wear collection for pregnancy-friendly clothing, or browse the maternity co-ord sets collection for comfortable coordinated outfits.
For colder months, the maternity winter collection offers additional options that can be incorporated into a pregnancy wardrobe.
With the right care, your favourite maternity clothes can remain comfortable and useful throughout pregnancy and well into the postpartum period.
