How to Wash a Zipper Hoodie

Co-authored by Sergey Paramonov and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: December 17, 2024 References

Zipper hoodies are great for cool days, but washing them can be tricky. Don’t ruin your favorite hoodie in the wash! By spending a little extra time caring for your hoodie, you can keep both the fabric and the zipper in great condition.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Washing Machine

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1
Wash your hoodie every 6-7 wears. Before washing your hoodie, determine if a wash is needed. It’s recommended that you wash hoodies after about six or seven wears because as outerwear they don’t dirty as quickly. Washing less frequently prevents added wear and tear. As long as your hoodie doesn’t smell, it’s okay to go a bit between washes.
- To be extra safe, wash your hoodie every week. Regularly washing it will make sure your hoodie doesn't get any set in stains—like from sweat or dirt—that are hard to clean.
- If you exercise in your hoodie, then you will likely need to wash it more.
- If you’re questioning whether or not it’s dirty, it’s better to go ahead and wash it. You don’t want worries about a dirty hoodie overshadowing your day.
- Consider what you’re wearing under your hoodie. The more layers you wear, the less sweat your hoodie encounters.
Zip it up. Closing the zipper will protect the teeth so that your zipper continues to open and close easily. It will also protect your fabric, which can snag on an open zipper. ^{[1]
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Secure the zipper. Use a safety pin to keep the zipper from sliding back down during the wash. ^{[2]
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- Take the metal pull of the zipper and fold it up toward the collar of the hoodie.
- Loop the open side of the safety pin through the hole in the metal pull.
- Push the pin through the fabric.
- Close the safety pin.
If you want your hoodie to stay soft and vibrant, you need to turn it inside out before washing so the color and texture of the fabric are protected during the wash.
Put your hoodie into the washing machine . Spread out your hoodie and place it in the tub of the washing machine, careful not to ball it up.
Prevent extra wear on your hoodie and its zipper by using the delicate cycle. ^{[3]
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Make sure that you set the washer to “cold” before turning it on to help preserve the color and any graphics that are on the hoodie. ^{[4]
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As the water flows into the washer, add your soap. Choose a soap that is gentle on clothing, avoiding products that contain bleach. ^{[5]
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Both liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets can harm your hoodie. Some fabrics, such as those that are water-resistant, can be damaged by fabric softeners. Keep it simple when washing your zipper hoodie.
Because hoodies are thick, they may hold onto detergent. To be sure that your hoodie is free of detergent, rinse it twice.
Line dry or dry on low heat. High heat dryers can ruin your zipper, so keep it to a low heat tumble dry if you can’t wait for it to line dry. ^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Washing by Hand

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Prepare your hoodie for washing by closing the zipper to protect your fabric from snagging. This also prevents damage to the zipper teeth. ^{[7]
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When washing by hand, you need something to hold enough water to wash your clothing. Great options include your sink, a bucket, or a large cooking pot.
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Add mild detergent to your water. As you pour water into the wash container, pour in your soap. Gently stir the soapy water to mix it well.
- Don’t add too much soap. While you want a clean hoodie, too much soap will be hard to rinse out. Plus, excess soap attracts dirt and bacteria, keeping it in the fabric. ^{[8]
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- Remember that laundry detergent is formulated for a full load, so don’t measure out a whole cup of laundry detergent. A teaspoon is recommended for small items. ^{[9]
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  Research source} If you have a thicker hoodie, add a little extra.
Place your hoodie into the water after you have mixed in the soap. Press it down with your hand until the entire hoodie is under the water. ^{[10]
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Let your hoodie sit in the container of soapy water for a few minutes so that it will absorb the detergent. ^{[11]
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Gently move your hoodie around the wash container. Be careful not to scrub the fabric because you may damage it. ^{[12]
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Lift your hoodie from the wash container and gently squeeze out some of the excess water. Avoid twisting your hoodie because that can damage it. ^{[13]
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Put your hoodie into a colander. Using a colander will help you rinse the soap from your hoodie without risking damage to the fabric. ^{[14]
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- A colander is a bowl that has holes so that you can drain water. If you don’t have a colander, check if your pots came with a basket to steam veggies.
- If you lack kitchen supplies, you could try a large funnel.
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Rinse your hoodie. While your hoodie is still in the colander, run cold water over it to rinse out the detergent. ^{[15]
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- If you can’t find anything to rinse your hoodie in, just fill the wash container with clean water and rinse it that way.
- Check to make sure that you’ve washed out all of the detergent by smelling the fabric. If you catch a strong whiff of soap, rinse your hoodie again. ^{[16]
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Gently squeeze your hoodie to remove the excess water. Don’t twist it because twisting will damage the fabric of your hoodie. ^{[17]
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^{[18]
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Research source} Keep in mind that handwashed items usually take longer to dry because they hold onto more water. Find a flat surface that won’t be damaged by dripping water, such as a countertop.