How to Wash and Store Your Hijabs So They Last
The short answer: wash your hijab or hijab undercap in cool water by hand (or a cold, gentle machine cycle), skip the wringing, and lay it flat to dry away from direct heat. That single routine protects the fabric's stretch and colour and keeps a chiffon, jersey or cotton hijab - and the undercap underneath it - looking new for far longer than tossing it in with a hot wash.
Can you machine wash a hijab or hijab undercap?
Yes, most hijabs and hijab undercaps can go in the machine as long as you use a cold, gentle (delicates) cycle inside a wash bag, with a mild detergent and no fabric softener. Softener coats the fibres and makes stretch fabrics like a viscose-lycra undercap lose their grip over time. Hand washing is still gentler and is worth it for your favourite pieces, but a careful machine wash will not ruin a well-made undercap.
What is the best way to wash a chiffon or jersey hijab?
Chiffon and jersey hijabs both prefer a cool hand wash in mild detergent, a gentle squeeze (never a wring or twist) to remove water, and a flat surface or padded hanger to dry. Chiffon is a fine, slippery weave that snags and creases easily, so keep it away from rough fabrics in the wash and skip the tumble dryer completely - heat is what breaks down the fibres and dulls the colour fastest.
| Fabric | Wash | Dry |
|---|---|---|
| Chiffon hijab/scarf | Cool hand wash, mild detergent | Lay flat or hang, no tumble dryer |
| Jersey hijab/scarf | Cool hand wash or gentle machine cycle | Lay flat, reshape while damp |
| Cotton hijab/scarf | Cool or lukewarm machine wash | Line dry or tumble on low |
| Viscose-lycra hijab undercap | Hand wash or cold gentle machine wash | Lay flat to dry, away from direct heat |
How do you stop a hijab undercap from losing its stretch?
Stick to cold water and a gentle cycle, avoid fabric softener, and let it air dry flat instead of on a hanger, which can pull the fabric out of shape at the seams. Heat is the real enemy of a stretch undercap - a hot wash or a tumble dryer is the fastest way to make the lycra go slack. Our Hijab Undercaps are made from a 95% viscose, 5% lycra blend specifically so the fit stays secure wash after wash when you follow this care routine.
How should you store your hijabs and undercaps so they last?
Fold hijabs loosely rather than rolling them tightly, since sharp folds and tight rolls left in place for weeks turn into permanent creases, especially in chiffon. A shallow drawer or a hanging scarf organiser both work well - the goal is to keep each piece flat or loosely folded, out of direct sunlight, which fades colour over time. Undercaps store easily in a small drawer divider or a fabric pouch, kept away from anything with rough zips or velcro that can snag the stretch fabric.
Building a small rotation of everyday colours makes the whole routine easier, since you are not rewashing the same one or two pieces every other day. Our Hijab Essentials range is priced for exactly that - affordable enough to keep a proper rotation going so each undercap gets a rest between wears, which also helps it hold its shape for longer.
How often should you replace a hijab undercap?
Most everyday undercaps are worth replacing once the stretch band has visibly loosened or the fabric has gone thin and see-through at the crown, which for a well-cared-for piece is usually somewhere around six months to a year of regular wear. Following the cool-wash, flat-dry routine above is what stretches that lifespan out - a piece washed hot and tumble dried every week will wear out far sooner. Keeping a few affordable pieces from our Women's range on rotation means no single undercap is doing all the daily work.
Frequently asked questions
Can you machine wash a hijab?
Yes, on a cold, gentle cycle inside a wash bag with a mild detergent and no fabric softener. A hand wash is gentler still and best for delicate chiffon pieces.
Can you machine wash a hijab undercap?
Yes, a cold gentle cycle is fine for most hijab undercaps, including the 95% viscose, 5% lycra blend Imaarah uses. Avoid hot water and the tumble dryer, which are what cause the stretch to loosen.
How do you get creases out of a chiffon hijab without an iron?
Hang the damp hijab straight after washing so it dries under its own light weight, which pulls most creases out naturally. If it has already dried creased, a light steam from a distance works better than direct heat from an iron on delicate chiffon.
How often should you wash a hijab undercap?
Wash it after every wear if you can, since it sits closest to your skin and absorbs the most oil and sweat. Keeping a rotation of a few affordable undercaps makes daily washing realistic without wearing out any single piece too quickly.
Where to browse next
- Hijab Undercaps - the full range of everyday colours, R60 each
- Hijab Essentials - build an affordable everyday rotation
- Women - all of Imaarah's women's essentials in one place
Ready to build your rotation? Shop the Hijab Undercaps collection and stock up on affordable everyday colours that are easy to look after.
