A printed hoodie is an investment in a look. The fabric will usually outlast the print if you treat it badly, and the print will look sharp for years if you treat it well. The good news is that the right routine is easier, cheaper and better for the planet than the wrong one.
The short version
- Turn it inside out.
- Wash cold, at 30°C or below.
- Use a gentle cycle with similar colours.
- No bleach, no fabric conditioner on prints.
- Tumble dry low or, better, hang to dry.
- Never iron directly on the print.
That is the care routine on most Vazzari hoodies. Here is why each step matters.
Step 1: Wash less often
Hoodies are outer layers. Unless they are visibly dirty or smell, you do not need to wash them after every wear. Airing a hoodie overnight is often enough. WRAP's research found that nearly all UK adults already wear items such as fleeces and knitwear more than once before washing, and that washing less often is one of the habits that cuts laundry's footprint (WRAP, Valuing Our Clothes).
Step 2: Turn it inside out
Friction is what wears a print down. Turning the hoodie inside out keeps the printed surface away from the drum and from zips, buttons and rough fabrics in the same load. It also protects the outer face of the fabric from bobbling.
Close any zips on other items in the load, and empty the front pocket.
Step 3: Wash cold, at 30°C or below
Heat is the main enemy of printed artwork and of cotton shape. Cool washes reduce fading, cracking and shrinkage. Modern detergents are designed to work at lower temperatures, and the Energy Saving Trust recommends washing at 30°C or cooler where the label allows, to save energy (Energy Saving Trust).
Use a gentle or delicate cycle and wash with similar colours. A white hoodie such as the Criminal Blanc Hoodie from Blanc Éclat Society should go in with whites or very light colours only.
Step 4: Go easy on the detergent
More detergent does not mean cleaner. Too much can leave residue that dulls dark fabrics and stiffens fleece. Use the recommended dose for a normal load, and choose a colour-care liquid for darks.
Skip bleach and conditioner
Bleach can damage both the print and the fabric colour. Fabric conditioner can build up on prints and on the brushed fleece inside a hoodie, making it feel less soft over time.
Step 5: Dry it gently
High heat in a tumble dryer can shrink cotton and crack prints. If you use a dryer, choose a low setting. Better still, dry it flat or over a drying rack, out of direct strong heat. Hanging a heavy wet hoodie by the hood can stretch the neckline, so lay it over a rail at the chest instead.
Drying naturally also saves energy. WRAP lists using the tumble dryer less as one of the simplest ways to reduce laundry's impact.
Step 6: Ironing and storage
Ironing
Most hoodies do not need ironing. If yours does, iron it inside out on a low setting and never put the iron directly on the print.
Storage
Fold hoodies rather than hanging them for long periods. Hanging heavy fleece can stretch the shoulders. Keep them out of direct sunlight, which can fade dark colours over time.
Caring for different Vazzari pieces
Classic Cotton and organic hoodies
Our Experimental Collection Classic Cotton hoodies and our organic hoodies in Nouveau Noir and Blanc Éclat share the same simple routine: machine wash cold (max 30°C), inside out, gentle cycle, similar colours, no bleach, tumble dry low or hang to dry.
Knitwear
Our Born On Mars knitwear is 55% cotton and 45% polyester and machine washable at 30 to 40°C. It may shrink slightly after the first wash, so dry it flat.
Caps and hats
Our caps and bucket hat are spot clean only: use a damp cloth, do not machine wash or tumble dry, and air dry.
Always check the care label on the item itself, as it is the final word for that piece.
Fixing common problems
The print feels stiff after washing
That is usually detergent residue or heat. Rinse on a cool cycle without detergent and let it dry naturally.
The hoodie has bobbled
Bobbling comes from friction. A fabric shaver or de-piller removes it. Washing inside out with similar fabrics helps prevent it.
It shrank
Cotton can shrink with heat. Next time, wash cooler and avoid high-heat drying. Sometimes gently stretching the hoodie back into shape while damp helps.
Why it matters
WRAP found that around one in ten people have not worn an item because of washing problems such as fading, shrinking or colours running. Good care keeps your clothes in your wardrobe for longer, which is the most sustainable thing you can do with something you already own. Every Vazzari piece is made to order, and looking after it well means it keeps doing its job for years.
FAQ
Can I put a printed hoodie in the washing machine?
Yes. Turn it inside out and use a cold, gentle cycle at 30°C or below with similar colours.
Why is my hoodie print cracking?
Usually heat: hot washes, high-heat tumble drying or ironing on the print. Switch to cold washes and air drying.
How often should I wash a hoodie?
Only when it is visibly dirty or smells. Airing it between wears is usually enough.
Can I use fabric softener on a graphic hoodie?
We recommend not using it on printed pieces, as it can build up on the print and the fleece.
Should I wash a white hoodie separately?
Wash it with whites or very light colours only, so it stays bright.
Sources
- WRAP, Valuing Our Clothes: wrap.ngo (PDF)
- Energy Saving Trust, save energy when using your washing machine: energysavingtrust.org.uk
- WRAP, Love Your Clothes: wrap.ngo
