Home care guides · 2 October 2025 · Updated
Washing nursery clothes for 1–3 year olds: which detergent, and how to keep it simple
Quick answer: for toddlers at nursery, wash daily or every other day, treat stains the same evening, use a mother-and-baby 2-in-1 detergent to save a step, and dry fully so clothes are ready for the next day.
Why are nursery clothes harder to wash?
- All kinds of stains: rice, milk, juice, mud, grass, paint.
- Sweat from outdoor play and naps.
- Left in the bag from midday to evening, so stains dry in and clothes start to smell.
Keeping daily washing simple
- A separate bag for dirty clothes in your child’s backpack; take it out at pick-up.
- Treat stains that evening, then put clothes in the baby laundry basket.
- Wash daily or every other day. Don’t leave damp clothes in the basket too long.
- Wash separately from adults’ workwear.
- Hang straight away, fold only when dry, and set out tomorrow’s outfit.
Treating each kind of stain
| Stain | Before washing |
|---|---|
| Milk, yoghurt | Rinse in cold water, apply a little detergent, wait 10–15 minutes |
| Rice, porridge, puree | Scrape off, soak in warm water for a few minutes |
| Juice, vegetables | Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric |
| Mud | Let it dry, brush off, then wash |
| Water-based paint | Rinse in cold water right away; check the paint box instructions |
More detail: Removing milk and puree stains from baby clothes
Nursery items
- Nap blankets and pillows: bring home and wash at the weekend. See: Washing soft toys, pillows and blankets
- Face cloths, bibs: wash daily with clothes.
- Socks: turn inside out and wash with your child’s clothes.
Choosing a detergent for 1–3 year olds
- A mother-and-baby line with a soft scent.
- Ingredients for organic stains such as enzymes, for milk, rice and puree.
- 2-in-1 to make daily washing quicker.
Abby Merry Day is a Mother & Baby 5-in-1 laundry liquid with enzymes that helps clean milk residue, starch and sweat from cloths, nappies and clothes. The Merry Day scent is soft and fresh, suited to daytime clothes, outings and nursery. For nap blankets and pillows, Abby Goodnight has a gentler scent.
Read next: Which scent for baby laundry?
Reviewed by: Vu Hoang Nam
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