Nothing is worse than when your favorite hoodie shows signs of wear and tear – and not in a cool distressed way. When you first get your hoodie, it is soft and warm, and you know that it’s going to be your go-to jumper for ages.
But after a couple of wears and washes, it just doesn’t look as good! Hoodies don’t need too much extra care, but you must be mindful of the instructions to keep them looking their best.
Quality
It all starts with the quality of the material from the hoodie that you buy. Buying your hoodie from a well-known brand is usually the best option. They are made from higher quality materials and designed to be worn often and washed often too. High-quality hoodies are the way to go when making your clothing last.
Fabric softener
Many people add a little fabric softener into their wash because it smells good and softens the clothing, too – right? While it might boost the scent of your clothing, the fabric softens build up on the fabric of the garments – and over time, will make them feel less soft. Depending on the type of fabric, fabric softener can also damage some fabrics.
If in doubt, skip the fabric softener altogether.
Group
Washing your hoodies with jeans, jackets, and other heavy materials with zips on can damage your hoodie in the wash. When fabrics are wet, they are weaker than when they are dry, which means zips and tough materials can damage the soft fabric of a hoodie.
Some items are high lint, like towels, that must be kept separate. Instead, wash hoodies with other materials that are the same. The lint will attract the fleece and build up in light layers until it feels scratchy.
So, for example, if you have a fleece hoodie, wash it with other fleece jumpers – and those that are a similar color.
Inside out
We’ve all made the mistake of throwing a new item in the wash, and when we pull it out, the pattern is off, and any transfers have peeled on the edges. Turning it inside protects the outside (the bit everyone sees) from damage.
If you are washing hoodies with a zip – make sure that you have it zipped up before you put it in the washing machine.
When washing a hoodie with ties, tie them up to stop them from escaping into the washing machine.
Extra rinse
Everyone is on a mission to make sure they use as little extra resources as possible – but keeping your clothing in great condition for longer might require you to use a little extra when it comes to water.
All sweatshirt materials, like jogging bottoms, shorts, and hoodies, will benefit from an extra rinse. It ensures that all detergents have been thoroughly removed – this is more important for fluffier fabrics.
Drying
Throwing your freshly washed garments into the dryer is often the fastest and most efficient way to get your clothes dry quickly and efficiently. However, the hot air from the tumble dryer can cause some materials to shrink and deteriorate the fabric’s quality over time.
Air drying, while it takes a little bit longer, is much gentler on fabric – keeping your hoodie looking newer for longer.
Stain removal
Nothing is worse than getting a stain on a new hoodie – but it is how you take them out that matters. Stain removal products can be tough on delicate fabrics; not only that, but they can remove some of the color as well as the stain.
Ditch the harsh chemicals in favor of natural stain removers, as they are safer on your hoodies.
To make a quick natural stain remover, try one of these:
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
Over time, your hoodie will eventually show signs of wear, but you can keep it looking as fresh and new as possible for as long as possible with these tips.
