How to Wash a Hoodie

Last Updated: October 5, 2022

Hoodies are a popular piece of clothing for the fall and winter seasons because they are casual and comfortable. Hoodies are durable and can last for a long time, but they need to be cleaned well for this to happen. Whether you use a washer and dryer or clean the clothing by hand, taking proper care of your hoodie will keep it soft and comfy for many years!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine for Your Hoodie

1
Check the label to see if the clothing is washer friendly. Most cotton or cotton-blend hoodies are machine washable. Wool, however, is not as tough as cotton and the fabric will get damaged in a washing machine and ruin the hoodie. If your hoodie is made of wool, you’ll need to take it to the dry cleaners.
- You can dry clean cotton, but since it’s tougher it can be machine washed many times.
2
Turn the hoodie inside out. Make sure to zip any zippers before doing so to keep them from snagging on other pieces of clothing in the washer. Washing the hoodie this way not only cleans the inside material, it protects the finish of the outside of the hoodie.^{[1]
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- When you turn the hoodie inside out, don’t forget to pull the hood and sleeves out of the middle of the garment. Otherwise, they won’t get cleaned properly!
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3
Wash the hoodie with similar pieces of clothing. To prevent color transfer, wash the hoodie with items that have a similar color. Do not wash your hoodie with towels, as the lint from the towels can end up sticking to the hoodie.^{[2]
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- Try to wash your hoodie in a smaller load to clean it as well as you can.
Items Similar to Hoodies: Sweatshirts, winter jackets, and sweatpants
4
Use cold water and mild detergent when washing your hoodie. This will help the hoodie keep its appearance for as long as possible. Mild detergent is gentle on the material, while cold water helps it keep its shape. If you use hot water, the material will shrink. Pick the delicate cycle on your washing machine to keep the material safe.^{[3]
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- Cold water will also prevent the hoodie from fading.
- Consult the hoodie’s care tag label to see how much detergent you should use.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Washing the Hoodie with Your Hands

1
Fill a bucket big enough to fit your hoodie with cold water. You’ll be dunking your hoodie in the cold water, so you want to use a bucket that will allow you to do this. If you don’t have a bucket big enough for the job, fill up your bathtub or sink.
- Water will most likely spill out of the bucket when you do this, so make sure to work in an area that won’t be affected by this.
Tip: Your garage, back porch, or bathtub would work well for washing your hoodie.
2
Apply mild soap or shampoo by rubbing it onto the hoodie. If you’re using a bar of soap, wet it slightly and gently rub the inside and outside of your hoodie until every part has been covered. If you’re using body wash or shampoo, squeeze a small amount onto a damp cloth and rub the cloth all around the hoodie.^{[4]
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- Always apply the soap or shampoo above the bucket of water. This makes cleaning up after you’re done that much easier!
3
Rinse the soap or shampoo off with cold water. Take a cloth and wipe away the visible soap or shampoo. If you miss any of soap or shampoo, it could stain the hoodie.
- Feel free to dunk the hoodie into your bucket of water multiple times to get all the soap or shampoo out.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Drying Your Hoodie

1
Press the hoodie gently to remove excess soap and water. Don’t twist your hoodie or try to wring the water out. Instead, press down on the hoodie with 2 hands to get rid of the extra soap and water. Press every part of the hoodie inside and out to ensure you don’t miss any soap or water.
- Put the hoodie on a towel to do this, as you don’t want that extra water getting everywhere. Make sure the towel is on a flat surface.
FYI: Twisting or wringing out your hoodie may compromise its shape by stretching it out.
2
Roll up the hoodie in a dry towel to speed up the drying process. Use a different towel than the one you used in the previous step. Lay the hoodie flat with its sleeves at its side and roll up the towel from the bottom with the hoodie on top of it. Then, stand over your sink or bathtub and press down on the towel to squeeze out any more excess water.
- You will need a towel that is bigger than the hoodie itself.
3
Lay the hoodie on a separate towel to air-dry it. This is the third different towel you’ll need to use to dry the hoodie. Place the towel on the floor or on your bathroom counter and put the hoodie on it. Let the hoodie sit overnight before wearing it again.^{[5]
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- The reason you don’t use a dryer is because it can shrink cotton clothes. A dryer can also cause the fabric to lose its color over time.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you freshen up a hoodie?

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA).

Ayad Mirjan

Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Expert Answer

I recommend adding ½ a cup of baking soda at the beginning of the wash and ½ a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle to get clean, deodorized garments.
Question

Can I wash hoodie in washing machine?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Absolutely! But first, check the tag to make sure your hoodie is safe to wash in a washing machine. Most hoodies are, but it's best to be sure. Turn the hoodie inside out and zip any zippers so they don't snag on other clothing items. Use cold water and standard detergent and run the hoodie through a standard wash cycle so it doesn't shrink. When your hoodie is done, lay it out on a clean towel to help it air-dry to avoid shrinkage.
Question

How often should you wash a hoodie?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

If your hoodie gets dirty or stained, give it a good wash. As a general rule, you should wash your hoodie every 6-7 wears. Because a hoodie is outerwear, and isn't usually in direct contact with your skin, they don't get dirty or smelly as quick. However, if you feel like your hoodie needs to be washed, by all means, wash it!