Quick answer
Turn your hoodie inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and air dry or tumble dry on low heat to protect the print and avoid shrinkage.
Why print care matters for hoodies
Hoodie prints, whether screen-printed or embroidered, are the first thing to fade or crack if you toss your hoodie in a hot wash with heavy agitation. The fabric itself can shrink, especially if it's a cotton or poly-cotton blend. Taking a few extra minutes to wash and dry correctly keeps your hoodie looking fresh for years.
What about different hoodie fabrics?
A heavyweight cotton hoodie, like the Dark Nebula Hoodie, is more prone to shrinking in hot water than a plush poly-cotton blend, such as the Coalescence Hoodie. The blend holds its shape better, but the print still needs gentle care. Always check the care tag, but the steps below work for most hoodies.
Step-by-step hoodie washing and drying guide
- Turn the hoodie inside out: Before washing, zip up any zippers and turn the hoodie inside out. This protects the outer print from direct friction against the machine drum and other clothes. Common mistake: washing right-side out causes print to fade and crack faster.
- Wash in cold water on gentle cycle: Use cold water (below 30°C / 86°F) and select the gentle or delicate cycle. Use a mild detergent, and avoid bleach or fabric softener, which can break down print adhesives. Checkpoint: hot water is the top cause of shrinkage and print peeling.
- Skip the dryer or use low heat: Air drying is safest: lay the hoodie flat on a towel or hang it in a shaded area. If you must use a dryer, set it to low heat or air fluff and remove the hoodie while it's still slightly damp. Common mistake: high heat in the dryer shrinks cotton hoodies and cracks prints.
- Store folded, not hung: Once dry, fold the hoodie and store it in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging heavy hoodies can stretch the shoulders and distort the print over time. Checkpoint: avoid wire hangers that can leave marks on the fabric.
Hoodies that benefit from proper care
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Dark Nebula Hoodie: Premium Ring Spun Cotton & 3-End Fleece, fleece lined hood, 1x1 cuff & waistband ribbing. The heavyweight cotton construction means it can shrink if washed in hot water, so cold washing and low heat drying are essential.
Dark Nebula Hoodie
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Coalescence Hoodie: Made from an incredibly soft plush poly-cotton blend with a custom full-zip design. The poly-cotton blend resists shrinkage better than pure cotton, but the custom print still needs inside-out washing to prevent cracking.
Coalescence Hoodie
