How to Properly Wash and Care for Your Hijabs to Keep Them Fresh
If you’ve ever wondered how to wash hijabs without fading colors, stretching fibers, or losing that graceful drape, you’re in the right place.
This guide gathers proven hijab care tips—from washing and drying to stain removal, storage, and even scalp care—so you can enjoy long-lasting, beautiful hijabs that always look new.
Why Hijab Care Matters
Whether your collection includes chiffon, jersey, silk, or bamboo, knowing how to wash hijabs correctly is the secret to keeping them soft, vibrant, and long-lasting.
Incorrect care can lead to dull colors, rough textures, or permanent wrinkles. Let’s make cleaning hijabs simple and smart while preserving hijab quality for the long run.
Step-by-Step: How to Wash Hijabs
1. Pre-treat stains
Dab gently with mild detergent or diluted dish soap. Avoid rubbing harshly—this damages delicate fibers.
For makeup or oil stains, use a soft cloth and rinse in cold water.
2. Sort by color and fabric
Separate lights and darks, and wash delicate fabrics (silk, chiffon, ombré) individually.
This simple trick prevents color transfer and protects fibers.
3. Use cold water always
Cold water is your best friend for washing hijabs without damage. It prevents shrinkage and maintains dye integrity.
4. Pick the right detergent
Choose mild, chemical-free detergents. Eco-friendly or baby-safe detergents work perfectly.
5. Hand wash or gentle cycle
Hand washing is ideal, but a gentle machine cycle with a mesh laundry bag works well for sturdy fabrics like cotton and jersey.
6. Rinse and press water gently
Never wring or twist. Gently press out water between your hands or with a towel.
7. Dry with care
Air dry flat or on a rack—away from direct sunlight or heat.
Some fabrics like jersey can be tumble-dried on low, but check the fabric guide below.
8. Steam or iron if needed
Steamers are safest for most hijabs. If ironing, use the right temperature and iron on the reverse side.
This is the universal approach for how to wash hijabs and keep them fresh for years.
How Often Should You Wash Your Hijabs?
- Everyday wear (cotton, jersey, bamboo): Every 2–4 wears.
- Special occasion hijabs (silk, chiffon, satin): After every wear.
- Undercaps: Every 1–2 wears.
Regular washing keeps hijabs hygienic, soft, and fragrant without over-stressing the fabric.
Fabric-by-Fabric Care (What Changes—and What Doesn’t)
What always stays the same (for every fabric):
- Cold water, gentle detergent (no bleach, no fabric softener)
- Separate lights/darks; wash prints/ombrés alone
- Never wring or twist; press water out with a towel
- Air dry away from direct sun/heat whenever possible
- Steam is safer than ironing; if you iron, use a pressing cloth and the right heat
What changes by fabric:
Cotton
- Wash: Hand or gentle machine; cold to lukewarm.
- Dry: Air dry or low tumble.
- Finish: Medium to medium-high iron; steam helps.
- Pro tip: Roll to store to reduce creases.
Modal / Viscose / Rayon
- Wash: Hand or delicate cycle in a mesh bag; cold.
- Dry: Lay flat—these stretch when wet.
- Finish: Low–medium steam/iron.
- Pro tip: Support the weight when lifting from water.
Silk (100% silk)
- Wash: Hand wash cold with silk-safe detergent or dry clean.
- Dry: Never in a dryer; lay flat, shade only.
- Finish: Low steam or low iron on reverse with a pressing cloth.
- Pro tip: Keep perfumes/oils off the fabric to prevent spots.
Chiffon
- Wash: Hand or delicate cycle in a mesh bag; cold; low spin.
- Dry: Air dry only.
- Finish: Steam or very low iron on reverse.
- Pro tip: Close pins/zippers before washing to avoid snags.
Jersey (incl. cotton/bamboo blends)
- Wash: Gentle machine or hand wash; cold; mild detergent.
- Dry: Air dry preferred; low tumble if care label allows.
- Finish: Steam or medium iron.
- Pro tip: Skip fabric softener (it coats fibers, reduces breathability).
Crepe
- Wash: Hand wash cold (or delicate in mesh).
- Dry: Air dry flat.
- Finish: Low–medium steam/iron.
- Pro tip: Textured weave hides minor wrinkles—avoid over-ironing.
Linen
- Wash: Hand or gentle machine; cold.
- Dry: Air dry or low tumble; remove slightly damp to smooth.
- Finish: Medium iron/steam.
- Pro tip: Expect natural wrinkles—embrace or press lightly.
Georgette
- Wash: Hand wash cold; delicate cycle in mesh if needed.
- Dry: Air dry only.
- Finish: Steam; avoid high heat.
- Pro tip: Similar to chiffon but with more texture—still snag-prone.
Satin
- Wash: Hand or delicate machine in mesh; cold.
- Dry: Air dry; no dryer.
- Finish: Low steam/iron on reverse.
- Pro tip: Use magnets/no-snag pins to avoid pulls.
Bamboo
- Wash: Gentle machine or hand; cold; mild detergent.
- Dry: Air dry preferred; low tumble if allowed.
- Finish: Steam or medium iron.
- Pro tip: Naturally breathable—great for heat/sensitive skin.
Wool
- Wash: Hand wash cold with wool detergent; minimal agitation.
- Dry: Lay flat in shape; never tumble dry.
- Finish: Steam only (or very low iron with cloth).
- Pro tip: Store with cedar/sachets; avoid moth damage.
How to Wash Hijabs by Fabric Type
Each hijab fabric needs its own little care routine. Here’s how to wash hijabs made from different materials — plus how to dry and maintain them properly.
| Fabric Type | Best for | Breathability | Texture | Occasions | Ease of Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Everyday wear, hot weather | High | Soft | Casual, outdoor | Easy |
| Modal | Hot weather, comfort all day | High | Soft, smooth | Casual, semi-formal | Moderate |
| Silk | Special occasions, weddings | Moderate | Smooth, shiny | Formal, luxurious | High |
| Chiffon | Formal events, summer | High | Sheer | Weddings, evening wear | Moderate |
| Jersey | Activewear, beginners | High | Stretchy | Casual, sporty | Easy |
| Crepe | Professional, formal events | Moderate | Textured | Work, business settings | Moderate |
| Viscose | Everyday, versatile wear | High | Soft, drapey | Casual, semi-formal | Moderate |
| Linen | Summer, outdoor events | Very high | Rough, airy | Summer, casual outfits | Easy |
| Georgette | Day-to-night, formal settings | Moderate | Textured | Day-to-night, formal wear | Moderate |
| Satin | Formal occasions, weddings | Moderate | Smooth, shiny | Evening wear, formal | Moderate |
| Bamboo | Hot weather, sensitive skin | Very high | Soft, smooth | Casual, outdoor, eco-friendly | Easy |
| Wool | Cold weather, winter | Low | Warm, thick | Winter, cold climates | Moderate |
Quick Fabric Tips
- Cotton, jersey, bamboo, linen: Machine-washable (gentle cycle, cold water).
- Chiffon, silk, satin: Hand wash or dry clean.
- Modal, viscose, georgette, crepe: Gentle hand wash, air dry only.
- Wool: Hand wash cold, reshape while damp, air dry flat.
This breakdown helps you master how to wash hijabs no matter what fabric you love most.
Hair and Scalp Care Under the Hijab
Caring for what’s under the hijab is just as important as knowing how to wash hijabs themselves.
Do People with Hijab Wash Their Hair Often?
Yes! Most wash their hair 2–3 times a week, depending on weather and activity level. Clean hair prevents odor and residue that can transfer to hijabs.
Tips for Healthy Hair Under the Hijab
- Always dry hair fully before covering — moisture causes mildew and fabric staining.
- Use silk or satin-lined undercaps to minimize breakage and frizz.
- Avoid heavy oils before wearing your hijab—they transfer to fabric easily.
- Wash undercaps frequently to prevent buildup and odor.
Remember, scalp hygiene is the secret weapon to longer-lasting freshness when learning how to wash hijabs and maintain them.
FAQs About How to Wash Hijabs
1. How to wash hijabs quickly and safely?
Place them in a mesh laundry bag, use cold water on a gentle cycle, and air dry. This is the best shortcut for how to wash hijabs without harm.
2. How often should hijabs be washed?
Every 2–4 wears for casual fabrics; after every wear for formal ones like silk and chiffon. Consistency is key in preserving hijab quality.
3. Can I put a jersey hijab in the washing machine?
Yes! Use a delicate cycle, cold water, and mild detergent. It’s one of the easiest fabrics when considering how to wash hijabs at home.
4. Can jersey hijabs go in the dryer?
Yes, but on low heat only. High heat can cause shrinking or fading—avoid if you can air dry.
5. Can I put a 100% silk hijab in the dryer?
Never. Silk must air dry flat, away from sunlight. It’s the golden rule for how to wash hijabs made of natural fibers.
6. Do people who wear hijab wash their hair less?
No—hair is washed as needed, usually 2–3 times weekly. Healthy hair equals a cleaner hijab, tying into overall hijab care tips.
7. What’s the best detergent for cleaning hijabs?
Use gentle, pH-balanced formulas. Avoid bleach and strong chemicals to keep washing hijabs without damage.
Conclusion
Learning how to wash hijabs the right way is about respecting your fabric. Cold water, gentle detergents, proper drying, and mindful storage go a long way toward preserving hijab quality.
Whether it’s a silk scarf for Eid or a jersey hijab for everyday wear, following these hijab care tips ensures each piece stays soft, elegant, and long-lasting.
With consistency and care, how to wash hijabs becomes less of a chore and more of a ritual—keeping every hijab in your collection fresh, clean, and ready to style.
