Hanfu: Hand Wash, Machine Wash, or Dry Clean? Read This and You’ll Know!

Lots of folks wonder the same thing after grabbing a new Hanfu—can it go in the washing machine? Ask around online or chat with friends, and you’ll get mixed answers. Some say it’s machine-safe, others insist on hand washing. So, let’s break it down and figure out the best way to clean your Hanfu!

The key to washing Hanfu depends on its fabric. If you’re unsure what your piece is made of, check with the seller. Common fabrics include linen, polyester, cotton-linen blends, chiffon, and silk—especially popular in hot summer months like linen, chiffon, and silk.

The dirtiest spots on a Hanfu are usually the collar and the skirt hem, especially the hem—wear it a few times, and it’s a “dirty zone” hotspot. Many notice yellowing or fading after a few wears, mostly because it wasn’t cleaned right. So, hand washing is the go-to recommendation.

Hand Washing: The Go-To Method

Best cleaner? Laundry detergent—don’t ask why, it tackles stains well, uses less product, and rinses out easy.

Hand Washing Steps:

1，Mix a bit of detergent into water and soak your Hanfu for about 15 minutes.
Tip: For dirtier spots, soak longer.

2，After soaking, gently rub the stained areas with your hands a few times, checking if stains lift. For tough spots (especially silk), skip the force—add a dab of detergent and rub again. Repeat two or three times if needed; most stains will budge.

3，Rinse—simple, just flush out the suds with clean water.

4，When wringing out water:

Cotton-linen or linen pieces wrinkle easily—gentle squeeze, let drying flatten them.

Chiffon’s tough—wring away!

Silk’s delicate—light squeeze to remove water.

5，Post-wring, shake it out to avoid wrinkles. Smooth out the fabric and stretch it a bit. After drying, it’ll stay neat with natural drape where it counts.

6，Hang it up with a hanger to dry!

Hand Washing Tips:

Check with the seller before soaking cotton-linen with embroidery or hand-painted designs.

Silk is fragile—use neutral detergent and handle gently at every step.

Always shake out cotton-linen after wringing; it dries as it hangs.

Avoid hot water to prevent yellow sweat stains.

Machine Washing: A Quick Option

Summer heat means frequent washes, and for busy folks, hand washing isn’t always doable. Fabrics like chiffon, cotton-linen, or linen can handle the machine—just remember to shake it out when drying! Shake, shake, shake! For uneven spots, add a drop of water and pull gently. Avoid frequent washing of embroidered or hand-painted Hanfu—confirm the paint type with the seller.