How to Wash Rhinestone Clothing

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 7, 2020 References Tested

Rhinestones add glitz and glam to any garment you put them on, like costumes, bras, or bandanas. Since rhinestones are normally applied to your clothes with glue, it can be hard to wash and dry them without snagging the stones or melting the glue. Try washing your rhinestone clothing delicately in a washer or by hand to keep your garments looking sparkly for years to come.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing in a Machine Washer

1
Turn your clothes inside out to protect the rhinestones. Pull the sleeves or legs through your clothes until they are inside out and protected. This will keep the rhinestones from snagging on anything while you wash and dry them.^{[1]
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- Some garments, like bras or bandanas, can’t be turned inside out, which is fine.
2
Avoid using pre-wash sprays, as they could soften the rhinestone glue. Some laundry sprays, like stain remover or pre-treatments, can dissolve or even remove the glue that binds your rhinestones to your clothes. Try not to use any sprays before you wash your garments so your rhinestones stay intact.^{[2]
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- If your clothing does have any stains on it, gently rub the area with warm water and laundry detergent to get the stain out before you wash it.
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3
Put small garments into a delicates bag. Pick up a mesh bag made to hold delicates, like bras and underwear. Put any small rhinestone garments, like bras, tank tops, or bandanas, into this bag before you start washing them.^{[3]
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- These mesh bags provide an extra layer of protection between your garment and the washing machine so that the rhinestones don’t snag on anything.
- You can find delicates bags at most home goods stores.
Variation: If you don’t have a delicates bag, put your items in a clean pillowcase and tie it closed.
4
Wash your clothes on a delicate cycle in cold water. Set your washer to “delicate” or “gentle” to protect the integrity of your rhinestones. Make sure your washer is using cold water, not hot, so the glue that binds your rhinestones doesn’t melt.^{[4]
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- Delicate cycles are more gentle because they don’t spin your clothes as much.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning by Hand

1
Turn your clothes inside out to protect them. Even when hand washing, the rhinestones on your garment could snag on something and harm your clothing. Turn the legs or sleeves of your garment inside out so the rhinestones are protected on the inside.^{[5]
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Tip: If your garment is especially delicate or old, put it into a delicates bag before hand washing it.
2
Fill a bucket or sink with cold water and mild soap. Choose a bucket or sink that’s big enough to fit your garment inside fully. Then, fill it up about halfway with cold water and add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of mild laundry detergent.^{[6]
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- Try to find laundry detergent that is free of extra dyes and chemicals.
3
Swish your garment around in the water for about 5 minutes. Put your garment into the cold water and the soap and make sure it is fully submerged. Agitate the garment with your hands and turn it over a few times to wash it all over.^{[7]
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- Try not to squeeze or wring your garment as you wash it, or you could damage the rhinestones.
4
Rinse the garment until the water runs clear. Take your clothing out of the soapy water and bring it to the sink. Run it under cold water until all of the soap is gone and the water runs clear.^{[8]
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- Make sure you get all of the soap out of your garment so it doesn’t dry with a film of detergent on it.
5
Squeeze the excess water out of your garment gently. Turn off the water from your sink and carefully press your garment in between your hands. Squeeze your garment until the water stops dripping off it to remove the majority and make it dry faster.^{[9]
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- You can pat it dry with a towel if you’re having trouble getting a lot of the water out.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Drying Rhinestone Clothing

1
Keep your rhinestone clothes inside out. As you take your clothes out of the washer or the sink, keep them inside out so the rhinestones don’t snag on anything. Don’t turn them right side out until they are all the way dry.^{[10]
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- Your clothes will be easier to turn right side out after they are dry.
2
Hang up garments to air dry if they are delicate. Don't toss your dance or ice-skating costume in the dryer! They're often made of delicate materials like spandex, so hanging them to dry is your best bet. Drape your outfit over a flat surface and flip it over every few hours until it's completely dry. You'll be back on the ice or dance floor looking great in no time.^{[11]
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- Bras and costumes usually don’t do well in the dryer. Check the care label on your garments to double check how they should be dried.
Tip: If your garment’s care label has a circle with a red X through it, it’s not safe to tumble dry, so try air drying it instead.
3
Dry your clothing on a gentle cycle with low heat if you can. If you are drying normal clothing like denim, cotton, or linen, put it in your dryer while it is still inside out. Then, set your dryer on a gentle or delicates cycle with the heat on low to rock your rhinestone clothing again in just a few hours.^{[12]
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- Try not to use high heat, or you could melt the glue that binds the rhinestones to your clothes.
- If the care label on your garment has a circle with dots inside of it, it’s safe to tumble dry.

Warnings

Avoid taking your garments with rhinestones on them to the dry cleaners. Most of the chemicals used in dry cleaning will dissolve the glue that holds the rhinestones to your clothes.^{[13]
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