Hijabs are an essential part of Muslim women's attire and come in various styles and materials, each requiring different care and maintenance. Properly caring for your hijabs ensures that they last longer and keeps them looking their best. In this hijab care guide, we'll take you through step-by-step instructions on washing and drying your hijabs, recommended washing temperatures and methods for different types of hijabs, and how to remove stains from your hijabs. We'll also suggest some products that will make hijab care a breeze. So, let's dive in and see how you can care for your hijabs without breaking a sweat.
How to wash your hijabs
Washing your hijabs is an important part of hijab care. However, washing it improperly can damage the fabric or affect the color. In this guide, we'll take you through step-by-step instructions on how to properly wash your hijabs to keep them looking their best.
Types of detergents to use for washing hijabs
Most hijab fabrics are sturdy enough to handle regular laundry detergents. However, if longevity is what you are looking for, then opt in for eco-friendly variants that are made from gentle ingredients and have neutral pH levels. These will not only protect the hijab fibers from unnecessary damage, but are also easier on your skin and the environment.
Here are some eco-friendly detergents that are perfect for your hijabs:
- Earth Friendly 2x Liquid Laundry Detergent by ECOS
- Purclean - Plant Based Liquid Laundry Detergent by Tide
- Sensitive Skin Tested - Liquid Detergent by Nature Clean
Recommended washing temperature and methods for different types of hijabs
The general rule of thumb is to always hand wash your hijabs with cold water. Cold water washes prevent your hijabs from shrinking and have the added benefit of reduced utility bills.
Let's dive a bit deeper and take a look at the optimal washing temperatures and methods:
| Hijab Fabric | Temperature | Wash Method |
|---|---|---|
| Chiffon | Cold | Machine Wash |
| Jersey | Cold or Luke Warm | Hand or Machine Wash |
| Modal | Cold or Luke Warm | Hand or Machine Wash |
| Satin | Cold | Machine Wash |
| Silk | Cold | Hand Wash or Dry Clean |
| Cotton | Cold or Luke Warm | Hand or Machine Wash |
| Pleated | N/A | Dry Clean Only |
How to remove stains from your hijabs
Got a stain on your hijab? Treat it as soon as possible. The longer a stain stays on the hijab, the harder it will be to remove it later on. Try the following to get rid of stains from your hijabs:
- Soak the hijab in cold water.
- Apply some detergent to a small cloth and dab the stain with it.
- Use a pen style stain remover like the Tide To Go - Instant Stain Remover.
Pro Tip: Got a really stubborn oil or makeup stain on your hijab? Apply some diluted dish washing soap to a small cloth and dab the stain with it. (Be careful, dish washing soaps are quite strong and you can easily over do this). Always remember to spot test before using any kind of stain remover.
Drying your hijabs
Drying your hijabs properly is essential to ensuring that they keep their shape and color. Improper drying can cause shrinking, warping, or other types of damage to the fabric. In this section, we'll go over some best practices and tips for drying your hijabs to prevent damage.
Hang dry your hijabs
This one is the simplest, yet the best way to dry your hijabs. Machine drying your hijabs involves heat, which is the main culprit behind the shrinking of the fabric.
However, hang drying is not always the most convenient so its best to do it for fabrics that are prone to shrinking. Natural fibers like cotton are more prone to shrinking in comparison to polyester or synthetic fabrics. As a rule of thumb it is always best to hang dry hijabs that are made from natural fabrics.
Machine drying your hijabs
Hijab care shouldn't be a hassle which is why we create hijabs that are super durable and can easily take on a machine dryer. Most hijabs are made from synthetic polyester based fabric and can be easily machine dried.
It's important to remember that, you should always machine dry on low heat as using high heat can shrink the fabric. If you have pets, give these Bounce dryer sheets a try. You will be amazed at how well they work at removing lint and pet hair.
How to prevent shrinking or warping of hijabs
This one is easy! Don't use hot water when washing or high heat setting when drying.
Heat is the main culprit behind the shrinking of a fabric, but the wash cycle can also take a toll on the fabric. Always use cold water and light cycles when machine washing your hijabs. For drying, always use low heat setting on the dryer or hang dry for best results.
How to iron your hijabs
Ironing your hijabs can help smooth out wrinkles and creases, but it can also damage the fabric if not done properly. In this section, we'll provide you with tips on how to iron your hijab without causing any damage.
Types of equipment to use
You don't need anything fancy, a steam iron or a hand steamer are perfect for removing any wrinkles and creases from your hijabs.
Pro Tip: Always use a hand steamer for your fancier hijabs. You'll never have to worry about accidentally damaging or worse burning them.
Always check manufacturer provided care instructions. Certain hijab styles like the Fine Pleated Chiffon Hijabs require extra care and cannot be washed, dried or ironed.
How to choose the right temperature
Here are the recommended ironing settings for different types of hijabs
| Hijab Fabric | Temperature | Iron Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Chiffon | 300 F | 3 |
| Jersey | 400 F | 5 |
| Modal | 375 F | 3 |
| Satin | 300 F | 3 |
| Silk | 300 F | 3 |
| Cotton | 400 F | 4 |
How to store your hijabs
Storing your hijabs properly is an essential part of hijab care. Improper storage can cause wrinkles and unnecessary damage to the fabric. In this section, we'll provide you with tips on how to store your hijab to keep it in good condition.
Recommended storage methods for different types of hijabs
While washing, drying and ironing are crucial for hijab care, storing your hijabs properly is equally important. Here are a few ways you can neatly store your hijabs:
- Fold them neatly and place them in a drawer. If your drawer size is too big, you can use drawer organizers.
- Hang your hijabs using hangers. This is the easiest way to store your hijabs, but it does make the hijabs prone to excessive creasing. Velvet hanger can provide a bit of grip which makes them better for hanging slippery hijabs.
- Do not store different types of fabrics together. While this is generally not an issue, certain fabrics are prone to pilling when they come in contact with other types of fabrics. Storing only similar fabrics together can reduce the chances of that happening.
- If you are low on space, the easiest way to store your hijabs is to fold them into a rectangle and turn them into rolls. We store thousands of hijabs in our retail store and we have found that folding them into rolls allows us to store 40% more hijabs than if we were to store them as rectangular folds.