How to Wash and Care for Your Thobe
The safest way to wash a thobe is machine wash cold, no bleach, then hang dry or tumble dry on low heat, with a cool iron only if needed - that combination keeps the embroidery, buttons and colour sharp wash after wash. Here is the full guide to washing, drying, ironing and storing your Imaarah thobe so it lasts through many Jumu'ahs and Eids to come.
How do you wash a thobe?
Machine wash your thobe on a cold cycle, using a gentle or normal setting, and skip the bleach. Cold water protects the embroidery thread and any branded buttons or pocket tags from fading or warping, while a gentle cycle stops the fabric from pilling. If your thobe has matching pants, as Imaarah's Moroccan long sleeve sets do, wash the set together on the same cold cycle.
What water temperature is safest for a thobe?
Cold water is safest for every Imaarah thobe. Warm or hot water can shrink lightweight, breathable fabric slightly and cause embroidery thread to bleed or fade faster, especially on contrast colourways like grey-on-white or grey-on-black. Cold water keeps colours true wash after wash and is gentler on any stitched detailing around the neckline, placket and chest pocket.
Can you tumble dry a thobe?
Yes, but only on low heat, and hang drying is the gentler option. High heat is the main cause of a thobe shrinking or a collar losing its shape over time. If you do tumble dry, remove the thobe while it is still slightly damp and hang it to finish drying - this protects buttoned cuffs and branded buttons from warping in prolonged heat.
How do you iron a thobe without damaging the buttons or embroidery?
Iron on a cool setting, and iron around raised embroidery, buttons and pocket tags rather than pressing directly on them. A cool iron avoids melting or flattening embroidery thread and stops silver-tone buttons from marking the fabric. If your thobe is still slightly damp from hang drying, a light press on cool is usually enough to remove creases.
Does care differ between thobe styles?
The wash and dry steps are the same across Imaarah's range - cold wash, no bleach, hang dry or low heat, cool iron - but a few details change what to watch for at the ironing stage, shown below.
| Style | Extra care detail | Wash instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Moroccan short sleeve (e.g. Sabil) | Iron around the embroidered neckline, not over it | Cold wash, no bleach, hang dry or low heat |
| Moroccan long sleeve set (e.g. Andalus) | Wash the matching pants on the same cold cycle; iron around the embroidered chest pocket | Cold wash, no bleach, hang dry or low heat |
| Saudi collared (e.g. Najd) | Iron the collar and cuffs first while the fabric is still slightly damp for a crisp shirt-style finish | Cold wash, no bleach, hang dry or low heat |
How should you store a thobe between wears?
Hang your thobe on a sturdy hanger rather than folding it in a drawer, so the embroidered neckline and chest pocket keep their shape and creases do not set into the fabric. Keep it away from direct sunlight in storage, since prolonged sun exposure can fade colour over time, and give it a light cool iron before wearing if it has been hanging for a while.
Frequently asked questions about washing a thobe
Can you wash a thobe in a washing machine?
Yes, machine wash cold on a gentle or normal cycle. Avoid bleach and pair it with hang drying or a low heat tumble setting to protect the embroidery and buttons.
Can you tumble dry a thobe?
Yes, but only on low heat. Hang drying is gentler and lowers the risk of shrinking or the collar losing its shape.
What temperature should you iron a thobe at?
Use a cool iron setting and press around embroidery, buttons and pocket tags rather than directly on them.
Should you wash a thobe with bleach?
No. Bleach fades colour and weakens embroidery thread over time. A cold, bleach-free wash keeps the fabric and detailing looking new for longer.
How should you store a thobe when not wearing it?
Hang it on a sturdy hanger away from direct sunlight, rather than folding it in a drawer, to keep the neckline and chest pocket in shape.
Where to browse next
Shop easy-care thobes in the Men's Thobes collection at Imaarah.
