How to Wash Hoodies Without Ruining Them | BlockBoundRI

How to wash a hoodie: check the care label first, turn the hoodie inside out, wash it cold on a gentle cycle with similar colors, then air-dry it or tumble dry on low if the label allows. That's most of the job. The rest of this guide covers stains, drying, prints and embroidery, and getting the softness back.

Shopping for a new layer while you're here? Our Block Island sweatshirts and hoodies each list their own care instructions on the product page.

Quick steps

Read the care label. It beats any general rule, including the ones below.
Close zippers, tie off drawstrings, and turn the hoodie inside out.
Wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors and similar fabric weights.
Use a mild detergent, measured to the bottle's directions, and don't overload the machine.
Air-dry flat, or tumble dry low only if the label allows, and reshape while still a little damp.

Before the wash: labels, sorting, and securing

The care label reflects the fabric and construction of that specific garment, so two hoodies that look alike can need different handling. Once you know what it allows, prep the load:

Sort by color, then by weight, so heavy items like jeans don't rough up softer fleece.
Wash new dark or garment-dyed pieces with like colors for the first few washes, since they can release extra dye.
Zip zippers, tie drawstrings, and put embroidered or zippered hoodies in a mesh laundry bag if you have one.

Pretreating stains

Treat stains before washing, not after. A dab of dish soap gently worked in helps with oily food marks; an enzyme stain remover is a common choice for sweat. Let it sit briefly, follow the product's directions, and test on a hidden seam first.

Blot instead of rubbing so the stain doesn't spread deeper.
Go easy on printed areas, since hard scrubbing can wear the ink.
Check that a stain is gone before machine drying, because heat can set it.

Machine washing to protect color, prints, and fit

Turn the hoodie inside out so the print faces in and the outside takes less friction.
Choose cold water and a gentle or delicate cycle, unless the care label says otherwise.
Use a mild liquid detergent and measure it. Extra detergent doesn't clean better and can leave residue in thick knits.
Leave room in the drum so clothes can move freely.

Hand washing (when the label calls for it)

Fill a basin with cool water and a little mild detergent, then gently swish the hoodie for a minute or two.
Rinse in clean cool water until no suds remain.
Press out water by squeezing, not wringing, then roll it in a towel.
Reshape and lay flat to dry.

Drying without shrinking

Drying is where good intentions go to shrink. High heat is hard on cotton and prints, so keep it gentle:

Lay hoodies flat on a rack or towel whenever the label permits air drying.
Keep dark or printed hoodies out of strong direct sun while they dry.
If you use a dryer, pick low heat and pull the hoodie out while it's slightly damp.
Smooth the hood, cuffs, and hem back into shape right away.

Prints, embroidery, zippers, and drawstrings

Keep printed hoodies inside out for both washing and drying.
Don't iron directly over a print. If a label says no ironing on the design, believe it.
Use a mesh bag for zippers and embroidery so teeth and threads don't snag.
Tie off or remove drawstrings so they don't wander out of the hood mid-cycle.

Embroidery like the stitched chest logo on our Block Island Est. 1661 embroidered crewneck is a good reason to reach for the mesh bag.

How often should you wash a hoodie?

A hoodie usually doesn't need a wash after every wear. Wash it when it's visibly dirty, smells, or you've had a sweaty day in it, and follow the care label. Between washes:

Hang it up to air out instead of balling it in the hamper.
Spot-clean small marks as they show up.

Care for garment-dyed crewnecks and hoodies

Garment-dyed pieces are dyed after they're sewn, which gives them a soft, broken-in look. Washing them inside out in cold water with like colors helps keep the color even. For example, the Ferry Standard Time Crewneck is a Comfort Colors 1566 garment-dyed crewneck in 80% ring-spun cotton and 20% polyester (9.5 oz/yd²). Its listing says to machine wash cold inside out with like colors, tumble dry low, use non-chlorine bleach only if needed, and not iron the print or dry clean it.

If you're deciding between finishes, our guide to vintage wash hoodies explains what each one means, and the hoodie size guide helps you pick a fit before you order.

Bringing back softness after washing

A hoodie that comes out flat or stiff isn't ruined. A few easy fixes:

If the label allows tumble drying, a short low-heat tumble with dryer balls helps fluff the fibers.
Shake it out and fluff the lining by hand once it's dry.
Go light on fabric softener, which can leave a coating on fibers and prints over time.
Measure detergent so it rinses out fully; leftover soap is a common cause of stiffness.

Same rules, smaller laundry

Our socks keep it simple too: machine wash cold. They're $12.99 a pair, or any 2 pairs for $20, in the Block Island and Rhode Island socks collection.

FAQ

Can I wash a hoodie in the washing machine?

Most hoodies are machine washable unless the care label says otherwise. Turn it inside out and use cold water on a gentle cycle with similar colors and fabrics.

Should I put my hoodie in the dryer?

Only if the care label allows it, and low heat is the safer choice. Air drying flat is gentlest, especially on dark or printed hoodies.

Should you wash a hoodie inside out?

Yes. It protects prints, embroidery, and the outer surface from friction against other items in the load.

Can I wash a hoodie in hot water?

Hot water raises the risk of shrinking and fading, so cold is the usual recommendation. When in doubt, go with the care label.

Find your next hoodie

Now that you know how to keep one looking good, browse Block Island sweatshirts and hoodies. Everything is made to order by our print partners. Shipping is $5.95 on US orders under $50 and free on orders of $50 or more after discounts, and returns are accepted within 30 days. Bundle & Save takes 20% off 3 or more items from our Bundle & Save collection.