Pre-wash fabric before it goes to the tailor
Cotton wax print can shrink slightly the first time it is washed. If a tailor sews it straight from the shop, the finished dress or shirt can end up a little tighter or shorter after its first wash, and seams can pucker.
To avoid that, wash the fabric once in cold or lukewarm water, dry it in the shade and iron it before handing it to the tailor. This also removes excess dye and some of the stiffness from the finishing.
Wash it gently, in cold water
- Turn the garment inside out to protect the printed face.
- Wash separately, or only with similar colours, for the first few washes in case dye runs. A colour-catcher sheet in the wash helps.
- Use cold water and a mild detergent. Hot water speeds up fading.
- Hand wash, or use a gentle machine cycle. Do not leave the garment soaking for hours.
- Never use chlorine bleach on printed fabric.
- Squeeze out the water gently instead of twisting hard.
Dry in the shade
Strong sun is the fastest way to fade a print. Dry African print inside out, in the shade or somewhere with good airflow, and bring it in as soon as it is dry.
Iron on the reverse side
Iron while the fabric is still slightly damp, on the cotton setting, with the garment inside out. Ironing the printed face directly can leave shiny patches. For embellished styles, press around beads and sequins, or put a thin cloth between the iron and the garment.
Store it away from light
Keep print clothes in a wardrobe or a cloth bag, out of direct light, and only when fully dry. Kente and other hand-woven cloth are best folded with a sheet of acid-free tissue or a clean cotton cloth between the folds. For how to clean kente itself, see our dry cleaning guide.
When to send it out
Heavily embellished outfits, lined styles, special-occasion kaba and slit, and anything with a "dry clean only" label are safest with a professional. With the Simame - Laundry Connect app you can book a partner laundry near you for pickup and delivery. It is free on Google Play.
Common questions
Does African print shrink?
Cotton wax print can shrink slightly in its first wash. Pre-wash the fabric in cold or lukewarm water, dry it and iron it before your tailor cuts it.
Why is my African print fading?
The usual causes are hot water, strong detergent, drying in direct sun and ironing on the printed side. Wash cold and inside out, dry in the shade and iron on the reverse.
Can I machine wash wax print?
Usually yes, on a gentle cycle in cold water, turned inside out. Check the label, and keep embellished or lined styles for hand washing or professional cleaning.