Hoodies are not just a piece of clothing; they are an emotional attachment. They almost become a part of yourself. But along with the comfort they give us comes the fear of washing them. We all have been there. You take out your favorite hoodie after washing only to notice that it has lost its size, the color is different, or it has become stiff. This guide on how to wash hoodies will make them look and feel like new for a long time.
Key Takeaways
- Cold Water ONLY: This is the single most critical rule to prevent colors from running and garments from shrinking.
- Hoodies to be Inside Out: This would protect prints, embroidery and the outer fabric from damage.
- Gentle Cycle Selection: Slower spin speeds are more gentle to the fabric, therefore, preventing possible damage to the structure and softness of fabric.
- Dry in a Natural Way First: The dryer is the leading cause of shrinkage due to its high temperatures. The best way is to lay your hoodie flat to dry.
- Preparation is Key: Study the care label, Sort your laundry, and Zippers and drawstrings should be secured to avoid damage during the wash.
The Quick Answer: How to Wash Hoodies
Do you worry that you might ruin your go-to piece of comfort? We get that. The primary thing in order to keep that cozy feel is to take good care of it. Particularly after you have put your money into a good article of clothing from a reputed clothing manufacturer. Here are three basic instructions for how to wash hoodies without the risk of disaster.
Quick Start Rules: The 3 Golden Rules
* Cold Water Wash: This keeps the fiber from shrinking. Moreover, it helps to lock the color in, thus, you can keep your brights bright and your darks deep.
* Gentle Cycle: This option puts less stress on the fabric, and, therefore, helps it stay fuzzball-free. It also keeps seams strong.
* Air Dry When Possible: High heat is the number one enemy of a hoodie’s size and shape. Air drying is the safest way to go.
Before You Wash: The 4-Step Prep
Great washing starts before the hoodie ever enters the water. These four preparatory steps are the first defense line against laundry snafus.
Step 1: Check the Care Label
This is the tiny tag that has the manufacturer’s instructions for your garment. It uses symbols to show the best water temperature. You can also find out if you can use bleach and the way to dry it and iron it. It’s best to follow these directives.
Step 2: Group by Color and Fabric
Washing a thick black hoodie with light white t-shirts is not the best of ideas. Sorting your clothes before laundry will help you avoid dark dyes forms bleeding onto light ones. It will also help you avoid heavy fabrics being rubbed against delicate ones which can cause damage.
Step 3: Reverse the Hoodie
This is one of the simplest and most effective tricks. Reversing your hoodie will serve as a shield for the signs, prints, or embroidery on the outside. It will also ensure that the rough side of the washing machine drum touches the inside of your hoodie and not the soft outer side. This will drastically reduce pilling.
Step 4: Zip It Up
If you have a zipper on your hoodie, zip it to the top. This will keep the metal or plastic teeth from snagging or tearing at other items in the wash. There are many specific techniques for washing zipper hoodies that help protect both the hoodie and other clothes.
For drawstrings, tie them in a loose bow. We all have experienced a drawstring disappearing in the washing machine. A bow knot that is left loose is an answer to this problem, it can save you a lot of time spent re-threading the string back into the hood’s channel.
The Complete & Total Guide: Washing Methods
Now that you have prepped your hoodie, it’s time to choose a washing technique. While machine washing is a common choice, hand washing is ideal for more sensitive fabrics.
Method 1: Your Hoodie in the Machine
This is the standard mode for most durable cotton and cotton blend hoodies. Apply the steps below to achieve the best results.
- Pick the Right Detergent: Pick mild detergent which is free from harmful chemicals and dyes. For colored hoodies, a color-safe detergent will help prevent fading.
- Select the Appropriate Water Temperature: We can’t stress this enough: use COLD water. Hot water can even cause the cloth fibers to shrink which results in a 5% or more size reduction in one wash. It also speeds up color loss.
- Utilize the Gentle or Delicates Cycle: This cycle has a slower speed of agitation and spin. These gentler movements are the key to keeping the fabric soft and preventing pilling.
- Don’t Stuff the Machine: The clothes in the machine need to move around freely to get clean. An overstuffed machine does not let the water and detergent circulate properly. Too many wrinkles and fabric stress may occur.
Method 2: Hand Wash the Hoodie
When do you wash by hand? This method should be used for hoodies that are made of delicate materials such as wool or cashmere blend. It is also for those having fragile embroidery. This is also the very safest way to clean your very beloved old or cherished hoodie.
- Fill a Tub or Sink: Get cool water and put a little bit of mild detergent. Stir it to make it dissolve.
- Submerge and Gently Agitate: Put the hoodie in the water and gently squeeze soapy water through it. Avoid any harsh scrubbing or twisting that can stretch the fibers.
- Soak for 20-30 Minutes: Allow the hoodie to soak. This will give the detergent a chance to break down dirt and oils without rough handling.
- Thoroughly Rinse: Empty the soapy water and refill with clean, cool water. Press the hoodie against the side of the tub to push out soap. Repeat until no suds remain. Gently squeeze out the extra water, but never wring it out.
Material Guide: How to Wash Different Hoodie Fabrics
Hoodies are not all made equal. The fabric and the construction chosen by our hoodie manufacturer mainly influence the care procedures. This cheat sheet elaborates different types of hoodies according to their materials.
| Fabric Type | Best Wash Method | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton | Machine Wash (Cold) | Shrinking to a great extent if the heat is applied. Only use cold water and air dry. |
| Cotton/Poly Blend | Machine Wash (Cold) | More durable and less likely to shrink than 100% cotton, but can pill. Always wash inside out. |
| Fleece/Sherpa-Lined | Machine Wash (Cold) | Wash separately or with other fleece items to avoid lint transfer. Do not use fabric softener, as it can mat the fluffy fibers. |
| Graphic/Printed | Machine Wash (Cold) | Always turn inside out to protect the print from cracking or peeling. Never iron directly on the graphic. |
| Embroidered | Hand Wash (Recommended) | If machine washing, turn inside out and use a mesh laundry bag for protection. This follows best practices for special care for embroidered garments. |
Drying Techniques: Avoid Shrinkage
How you dry your hoodie is as crucial as how you wash it at first. The high heat of a machine dryer is the primary cause of unwanted shrinkage.
Option 1 (Best): Air Drying
This is the safest and the most recommended method.
- Lay Flat: The best way to air dry a heavy hoodie is laying it flat on a clean towel or a mesh. Hanging the soaked hoodie can stretch the fabric due to water weight, especially in the shoulders.
- Hang Drying: When you need to hang it, use a good quality wide-shouldered hanger. This will better distribute the weight and avoid “shoulder bumps.” Avoid direct sunlight as it can fade colors over time.
Option 2 (If You Must): Machine Drying
Sometimes you need your hoodie quickly. If you have to use a drier, follow these rules to minimize damage.
- Use the lowest heat setting possible. Better yet, use the no-heat or “air fluff” setting.
- Add a few wool dryer balls. They help separate clothes so that the air can get circulated better. This will speed up the drying process and will also help fluff the fabric.
- Remove the hoodie while it’s still slightly damp. Let it finish air drying on a hanger or laid flat. This prevents the over-drying that leads to shrinking.
Pro Tips for Hoodies
Is your hoodie care about to be elevated? It’s easy with these strategies which aid in handling general issues and thus prolonging the life of your favorite clothing.
Fending Off Stubborn Stains
Stains must be treated before you wash the hoodie. Most food or dirt stains can be dealt with by making a paste of your mild detergent and water. Lightly rub it on the spot. After that, let it sit for 15-30 minutes and wash like usual.
A lesser-known trick for pesky grease stains is to apply a little dish soap directly on the spot. Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing it. It works wonders on pizza drips!
Restore the Softness
Detergent and fabric softener can build up on fibers over time. Thus, the fabric may feel stiff. To get that soft back, skip the fabric softener. Instead, add a half a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. The vinegar will work as a natural fabric softener and help rinse away any leftover detergent. Here are great ways to keep your hoodies soft that even an older garment can be revived with.
Eliminating Pilling
Those little darn fabric balls, also known as pills, are a result of friction. The absolute best countermeasure against this is to turn hoodies inside out. If you already have pilling, you can safely remove it with a fabric shaver or a pill comb. You just need to glide it gently over the surface of the fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I wash my hoodie?
This depends on how you wear it. For light indoor activity, washing after every 4-5 wears is perfectly fine. However, if you sweat in it during a workout or spill something on it, you should wash it right away.
Can you wash hoodies with other clothes?
Yes, as long as you sort your laundry correctly. It’s safe to wash hoodies with other durable items of similar colors and fabric weights, like jeans, sweatshirts, or sweatpants. Avoid washing them with delicate fabrics or lint-producing items like towels.
What do I do if my hoodie’s drawstring comes out?
This is a classic laundry problem! To fix it, attach a safety pin to one end of the drawstring. Insert the safety pin into one of the eyelets and carefully work it through the channel inside the hood until it comes out the other side.
My hoodie already shrank. Can I fix it?
Sometimes you can reverse a little shrinkage. Try soaking the hoodie in a tub of lukewarm water with a capful of hair conditioner for about 30 minutes. The conditioner helps relax the fabric fibers. Press the water out gently (do not rinse) then lay it on a towel and carefully stretch it back to the original size as it air dries.
Why does my black hoodie look faded after washing?
Fading on dark garments is usually caused by three things: washing in warm or hot water, using a harsh detergent, or drying on high heat. To keep your black hoodies from fading, always turn them inside out. Use a detergent made for dark colors, and wash on a cold, gentle cycle. Air drying is always the best choice.
