Owning a Bape hoodie is not limited to just it being a piece of clothing. You can see it as an expensive item and a way of expressing your style. Even the thought of washing it can make you feel unsettled. One seemingly innocent mistake can lead to either your hoodie getting colors that are completely out of tone, prints that are cracked, a size that is smaller than necessary, or as a last consequence a broken zipper. This is a frequent concern, but with us, these worries vanish. This guide provides you with a step-by-step procedure to be followed that is sure to keep your item safe. Streetwear brands are more than 500 and we work with all of them. Experts in the production of high-quality apparel, our company has been in the business for more than a decade. Thus, we are fully aware of the right way to wash a Bape hoodie and make your investment a lasting one.
Summary
- Hand Wash First: The safest and best way to protect the item, zippers, and fabric. Cool water and mild soap are recommended.
- Do Not Use a Dryer: High temperatures are the one and only reason for the damaging of both the print and shrinking. Always let your hoodie dry on an air surface. Keep it away from direct sunlight.
- Preparation is Everything: Before washing, always make sure to zip up the hoodie. Get it inside out. Stains should be treated with extra caution.
- Proper Settings for Machine Washing: If you absolutely have to use a machine, always go for delicate settings. Use cold water at the lowest spin speed. Add it into a mesh laundry bag.
Things to Do Before You Wash: Top 4 Pre-Washing Steps
Preparation is the key to learning how to wash a Bape hoodie in a good way. These steps prevent most common washing problems before they happen.
1. Check the Care Label
The care label is the first thing for you to check. It has some signs that tell you how to maintain the item. Although, the official Bape tag mostly states “warm water”. This will not do any harm, of course, but we recommend cold water highly. Using cold water instead of warm is always a safe option when trying to maintain colors and print quality. This is even more important when it comes to the first few washes.
2. Carefully Applies Anti-Stains
New stains are always easier to remove than the ones you left to settle for long. As soon as you spot something on it, treat it. Use the stain remover that is color-safe and soft for all fabrics. First, put a small amount of it on the inner side of the garment. A good place would be the inside of the cuff. If it doesn’t change the color the choice is good. Pat the stain lightly with the solution. Rubbing it hard will be inefficient.
3. Zipper Up & Turn It Inside Out
Although this sounds trivial it is actually a big deal. First, you should zip the hoodie all the way. This secures the zipper teeth not to get bent or hold on to something else. Then, what you do is to turn the hoodie inside out. The famous camo or graphic prints will be safer with this method. Turning it inside reduces the friction on the design during the wash.
4. Use a Mesh Laundry Bag
When you want to do the laundry in a washing machine, having a mesh laundry bag is a must. By putting your hoodie inside one you add an extra layer of protection. It doesn’t let the sleeves get tangled. Besides, it protects the fabric from hitting the drum of the machine. Professional cleaning also preaches the importance of preparation to maintain a high level of quality.
A Bape Hoodie That’s Worth Divine Care
A Bape hoodie has the right to receive care of divine impression through you because it understands that it is designed specifically for being the best product possible. The BAPE brand is built with superior processes. The materials and construction are unique. They require careful handling.
The Material: Japanese High-GSM Cotton
Heavy cotton is Bape’s pride and joy. This material is mostly made with 400+ gsm (grams per square meter) test weight. This density is what makes the hoodie feel strong and has a good shape. However, this kind of fabric can shrink in high heat. The use of harsh soaps that can dissolve its natural softness will leave the cotton feeling stiff.
The Front: Iconic Screen and Puff Prints
The iconic Bape graphics including the Shark face and Ape Head are what set the brand apart. These are applied by screen printing or puff printing methods. These designs are placed on the top of the fabric. Dyes do not go in there. Hence, these items can be pretty soft and fragile. Time, high-temperature heat, strong solvents, and abrasive rubbing will bring these prints to the point of cracking, peeling, or fading.
The Parts: Details and Custom Zippers
The custom zippers are a key part of the design. This is even more so with the full-zip Shark hoodies. Although they are made of high quality they can still break if not handled properly in a washing machine. Zipping them up is a way to keep them and the item in the proper condition.
As a well-known hoodie manufacturer, we know that quality is dependent on little things. Our special “5-Step Quality Control Protocol™” will make sure that every part is perfect during production. Caring for the clothes properly will help you keep that quality in the long run.
The Best Way: Hand Washing Guide
Hand washing is the ultimate way to clean your Bape hoodie. It gives you full control and is the gentlest method for the fabric and the print. As such, we recommend you to use this method for washing a Bape hoodie.
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Prepare Your Basin: Fill a clean bathtub or a large basin with cold water. Make sure there is enough room for the hoodie to be fully submerged.
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Add a Gentle Soap: Use a small amount of a mild, pH-neutral soap. A soap made for delicates, like Woolite, is a great choice. Swirl the water with your hand to make sure the soap is completely mixed. Never use bleach or fabric softeners.
- Insert and Gently Move: Place your inside-out hoodie into the soapy water. Gently press down on it to cover it. Squeeze the water through the fabric. Do not twist, scrub, or wring it. Focus on dirty areas like the cuffs and collar by gently squeezing soapy water through them. Let it soak for about 20-30 minutes.
- Remove Extra Water Carefully: Gently squeeze the water out of the hoodie. Never wring or twist it. This stretches the cotton and can crack the print. A great trick is to lay the hoodie flat on a clean, thick towel. Roll the towel and hoodie together. Press firmly to soak up more water.
Machine Washing Your Bape Hoodie
In case you find yourself being pressed for time, you can opt for washing your hoodie in a washing machine. Nevertheless, the settings must be the right to curtail the risks.
Use The Machine Versus Hand Wash
Here is a quick comparison that will make your decision-making easier.
| Feature | Hand Washing | Machine Washing |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Highest | Moderate (if done correctly) |
| Print/Fabric Wear | Minimal | Low to Moderate |
| Effort | High | Low |
| Best For | High-value, new, or delicate hoodies | Regular wear, less concern for minor wear |
The Right Machine Settings
If you make the decision to wash in a machine, follow these settings strictly. Also, remember to use a mesh laundry bag.
- Cycle: Use only the Delicate or Hand Wash cycle. These cycles move slowly and gently.
- Water Temperature: Set the machine to Cold/Cold. NEVER use warm or hot water.
- Spin Speed: Select the lowest spin speed available. A high spin speed acts like wringing and can stretch the fabric.
- Soap: Use a small amount of mild, liquid soap. Powdered soaps may not dissolve fully in cold water.
The process of using the delicate cycle and cold water is a popular way to protect graphic streetwear.
The Essential Drying and Finishing Process
The procedure you will use in drying your Bape hoodie holds as much significance as the one you used to wash it. Drying incorrectly can accidentally ruin your item no matter how well you wash it.
AVOID Using a High Heat Dryer
This is the first and foremost rule. A machine dryer running on high heat is the quickest way to shrink the heavy cotton or to destroy the screen print. The heat may even cause the glue in the print to melt. As a result it will crack and peel. At all costs, avoid the dryer!
Air-Drying: The Best Way
Air-drying is the only way that’s completely safe to dry your hoodie.
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Dry Flat: This is the best method. Lay the hoodie flat on a clean towel or a mesh drying rack. Put it away from direct sunlight. UV rays can fade the colors. Shape the arms and body to their normal form. After a few hours, flip it over to help the other side dry evenly. This method stops the weight of the wet fabric from stretching the shoulders.
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Hanging Dry (Cautiously): If you really have to hang it up, use a wide padded hanger. By doing this, you will keep the weight of the water off the shoulders and help them not to stretch. Never use a thin wire hanger. It will create bumps in the shoulders.
Optional: Air Fluff (No Heat)
Once your hoodie is about 95% dry, you may notice the fabric feels a little stiff. To fix this, you can put it in the dryer on an air-fluff or no-heat setting for 5-10 minutes. This will tumble the fabric and soften it without using any harmful heat.
Why Should You Take Our Word for It?
We have a factual and practical understanding of how good clothes are produced. The foundation of this knowledge is built on a lot of experience. Our founder, Tesla Luo, is part of a multi-generational family from the clothing industry. In 2024 we started our company but we have a team of people with over a decade of experience in production.
The principles set out in this guide—respect for materials, gentle handling, and attention to detail—are the same ones used in our special “5-Step Quality Control Protocol™”. It is the promise of quality that gives us the trust of more than a thousand fashion brands in 40 countries. Backed by our ISO 9001 and BSCI certifications we help brands have their customers enjoy their premium product for years to come. Clothing Manufacturer Ltd. is the excellence partner for the brands that want to launch strong and high-quality streetwear.
FAQ: Your Queries Related To Bape Hoodie Care
Here are some fast answers to the frequently asked questions regarding taking care of your Bape hoodie.
1. Can I dry-clean my Bape hoodie?
Even though you can technically do so, it is not recommended at all in general. Some of the harsh chemicals used in dry cleaning will end up damaging the fabric and prints not only for that visit but also for future times too. The most convenient method for removing dirt and stains is hand washing them with a delicate soap.
2. How frequently should I wash my Bape hoodie?
The washing would preferably be as infrequent as possible. Over-washing is one of the foremost factors causing fading and wear. You should only wash it when you are sure it is dirty or smells bad. For small-easy spills try the spot cleaning method instead of doing a complete wash.
3. What if my Bape hoodie print is already cracked?
It is indeed unfortunate that once a print is cracked, there is no way to fix the damage. However, to prevent it from getting any worse you would have to be extremely careful. From now on, only inside-out hand wash in cold water. Air dry it flat and expose it to no heat.
4. Is it alright if I use fabric softener on my Bape hoodie?
No, it’s best to avoid fabric softener altogether. The way these products function is that they coat the fabric fibers with a waxy layer. This layer can damage the quality of the cotton in the long run and might not even be compatible with the screen print. If you want a softer feeling, use the “air fluff” dryer which does not use any heat when the hoodie is almost dry.
5. My white hoodie cuffs are dirty. How do I clean them without washing the entire hoodie?
This is a perfect situation for spot treatment. Mix a small amount of mild soap with cold water. Use a soft-bristled brush, like an old toothbrush, or a microfiber cloth to gently work the solution into the dirty cuffs. Rinse the area carefully with a cloth dipped in clean cold water and pat it dry with a towel.
