Velvet is all the rage right now, especially when it comes to hair accessories. So can you wash velvet scrunchies and other velvet accessories? Of course! But think twice before wrapping your hair up again in your favorite scrunchie set. Velvet has recently been used on headbands, wraps, and scrunchies to make a trendy statement while keeping your hair out of your face.
However, as we know very well, our hair gets “dirty” from everyday life. Sweat, oils, and hair products can build up in our hair and cause an overall dirty look, alerting us that it’s time to wash our locks. While it is easy enough to wash our hair, washing our accessories requires a bit more maintenance since it is something we don’t do as often.
Furthermore, putting dirty hair accessories in our hair over and over again can create a need to wash our hair more often.
Can You Wash Silk Scrunchies
Silk is also a popular fabric for hair accessories and scrunchies. Silk scrunchies are often used overnight to prevent creasing but are a good option all around to prevent tearing and damage to your strands.
Since silk is such a delicate fabric, it can get dirty easily. Silk scrunchies can be washed, but only by hand. They are too delicate for a washing machine or other washing methods.
Washing Scrunchies in the Washing Machine
A washing machine is probably the easiest way to wash your hair scrunchies, especially velvet scrunchies. It requires little work on your end besides making sure the settings on the washing machine are set up correctly. So slow down before tossing them in and hoping for the best. Here is the best way to wash your scrunchies in the washing machine:
- Determine the fabric of the scrunchie
Some fabrics, like silk and linen, should not go in the washing machine since they are too fragile. Hair accessories with these fabrics need to be washed by hand. Scrunchies made with velvet, cotton, polyester, and similar materials are safe to toss in the washing machine.
- Place the scrunchies in a mesh bag, pillowcase, or sock
Throwing your scrunchies in the washing machine lose will increase the possibility of them getting sent to the land of lost single socks. They could also hurt the machine by getting stuck on something. Put them in a mesh garment bag, a tied pillowcase, or a sock to minimize the risk of them getting lost or destroying your washing machine.
- Wash on delicate
To play it safe, wash your scrunchies in a delicate setting. This will keep the fabric and stretchiness more intact so you get further use out of them. You can also throw some towels or sheets in the washing machine with the scrunchies so that the machine is not too rough on the small objects.
- Air dry
It is not a good idea to put your scrunchies in the dryer, as it will be too rough on them. Squeeze any excess water out and then lay your scrunchies out flat to air dry. Once they are completely dry, they are ready to be worn again!
Washing Scrunchies by Hand with Shampoo
More delicate fabrics such as silk, wool, and linen should be hand washed in a sink or bowl. You can use shampoo to wash them effectively. The shampoo will help rid the scrunchies of built-up oils and products, just as it does with your hair. Here is how to wash your scrunchies by hand with shampoo:
- Put your scrunchies in a bowl
The first step is to put your scrunchies in a large bowl or your sink. If you are using your sink make sure to pull the stopper so that it can fill up with water.
- Fill up with water
Fill the bowl or sink with lukewarm water. You can swirl your scrunchies around in the water while it is filling up to start ridding them of any product. The water may start to change color due to the product coming out of the scrunchies.
- Add your favorite shampoo
Add your usual shampoo to the bowl or sink. You can also use laundry detergent instead of shampoo if you prefer. Wash each scrunchie with your hands, making sure they are lathered up with shampoo. Massage in the shampoo or detergent with your hands gently, covering the whole surface area of the scrunchie.
- Rinse thoroughly
Rinse your scrunchies thoroughly in cold running water, making sure all shampoo or detergent is washed out and that the water is running clear through the scrunchie.
- Air dry
Squeeze out any excess water from the scrunchies and lay them flat to air dry. Once they are completely dry, you can wear them as normal again.
How to Make Scrunchies Smell Good
We’ve all experienced the dreaded smell of a dirty scrunchie. It smells like mildew and old hair product, and it radiates off our scrunchie in a repulsive way. The easiest way to make our scrunchies smell good is by washing them thoroughly and often. Cleaning out old hair products and oils from them should keep them smelling fresh.
Furthermore, waiting until our hair is dry to wear a scrunchie can lessen the chance of them smelling bad, since that mildew smell comes from scrunchies that never dried properly. You can also wash your scrunchie with good-smelling shampoo or detergent to help them smell good once cleaned.
How Often Should I Wash My Scrunchies
This depends on how often you wear your scrunchies. If you are typically wearing your scrunchies every day along with hair products, you should probably wash your scrunchies every couple of weeks or when you notice them start to smell or accumulate product.
If you do not wear your scrunchies regularly, you can go a while between washes. Again, keep an eye on the color and smell emitting from them to determine their cleanliness status. A good rule of thumb would be to wash them every 10 wears or when you notice a change in color or smell.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you now know how to care for different textures of scrunchies, including silk and velvet. You also know multiple ways to wash them and how often to do so. With this information, you can slick back your hair with style and peace of mind!
