Quick answer
Wash your organic cotton nursing pillow cover in cold water on a gentle cycle, then air dry or tumble dry low to prevent shrinkage and maintain softness.
Why organic cotton needs special care
Organic cotton fibers are less chemically processed than conventional cotton, making them softer but also more prone to shrinking if exposed to high heat. That’s why your slipcover’s care label almost always recommends cool or cold water and low heat drying.
A common mistake is treating the cover like a regular cotton shirt. Hot water and high heat can shrink organic cotton by up to 5-10%, leaving you with a cover that no longer fits your nursing pillow snugly.
What you’ll need
You only need a few basic items: a mild liquid detergent (free of bleach or fabric softener), cold water, and a mesh laundry bag if you want extra protection for the zipper and fabric. Fabric softener is not necessary—it coats organic cotton fibers and reduces absorbency over time.
Step-by-step cleaning routine
- Pre-treat stains immediately: Spot-clean any milk, spit-up, or diaper leaks with a dab of mild detergent and cold water. Rub gently with your fingers or a soft brush—do not scrub hard or you may fray the organic cotton fibers. Rinse the spot with cold water before laundering. Letting stains set makes them much harder to remove later.
- Turn the cover inside out and zip it: Turn the slipcover inside out to protect the outer surface from abrasion. Zip it closed to prevent the zipper from snagging other fabrics or the cover itself during the wash cycle. Always wash with the zipper closed to avoid zipper damage.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle: Place the cover in a mesh laundry bag for extra protection. Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent—no bleach, no fabric softener. Select the delicate or gentle cycle with cold water (below 80°F / 27°C). Hot water will shrink organic cotton. Hot water is the number one cause of shrinkage in organic cotton.
- Air dry or tumble dry on low: Remove the cover from the washer promptly. Reshape it while damp, then either hang it to air dry or tumble dry on the lowest heat setting. High heat will shrink the cover and may weaken the organic cotton fibers over time. If you must use a dryer, check the cover halfway through and remove it while still slightly damp to avoid over-drying.
- Iron on low if needed: If the cover comes out wrinkled, iron it on the cotton setting with steam. Avoid high heat—organic cotton can scorch more easily than conventional cotton. Always iron on the inside of the cover to protect the outer surface. Wrinkles usually fall out on their own once the cover is back on the pillow.
Our recommendation for a backup cover
-
Super Deluxe Designer, 100% Organic Cotton Slipcover: Every My Brest Friend nursing pillow comes ready to go, but many nursing moms enjoy the option of extra slipcovers so when the inevitable spit-up or leaky diaper strikes, they can simply toss the slipcover into the washer without missing a beat. Having a second organic cotton slipcover means you can always have a clean cover on your pillow while the other is being washed and dried.
Super Deluxe Designer, 100% Organic Cotton Slipcover
