How to Wash & Care for Wax Print Fabric (Without Fading)

Genuine wax prints are made to last, and with a little care your Ankara pieces will stay vivid for years rather than fading after a few washes. The good news: the routine is simple. The key is being gentle at the start and avoiding the two things that fade any dyed fabric — heat and harsh detergent. Here's exactly how we recommend caring for wax prints, straight from our workshop.

First, understand the fabric

Real wax print is a resist-dyed cotton, so colour is embedded through the cloth rather than sitting on the surface. That's why it wears so well — but new fabric can carry a little excess dye that needs to settle over the first few washes. Handle those early washes carefully and the fabric rewards you for years.

Washing: cool and gentle

• Use cold or lukewarm water. Hot water is the number-one cause of fading.
• Choose a mild detergent. Skip anything with bleach or optical brighteners.
• Turn garments inside out so the printed surface isn't rubbed.
• Wash separately for the first two or three washes, or with like colours, in case a little dye releases.
• Hand wash or use a gentle machine cycle. Avoid long, aggressive spins.

Drying: shade, not sun

Hang to dry in the shade or indoors. Strong, direct sunlight over time will fade any dyed textile, so avoid drying wax prints in blazing sun. Never tumble dry on high heat — it fades colour and can shrink cotton. If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest setting and remove while slightly damp.

Ironing: warm, on the reverse

Iron on a warm (not hot) setting, ideally on the reverse side. This keeps the print crisp without scorching. A quick press while the fabric is slightly damp gives the best finish.

Stains and spot-cleaning

Treat spills quickly with cold water and a dab of mild soap; blot, don't rub. Avoid bleach entirely — it strips wax-print colour permanently. For stubborn marks, a gentle hand wash beats any harsh treatment.

Storage

Store clean, fully dry and folded, away from direct light. For special pieces, refold occasionally along different lines to avoid permanent crease marks. Keep away from damp to prevent mildew.

A quick do / don't recap

• Do: cold water, mild detergent, inside out, shade dry, warm iron on the reverse.
• Don't: hot washes, bleach, strong sun, high-heat tumble drying.

Handmade means small variations in the print are natural — they're the fingerprint of a real maker, not a flaw.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my wax print bleed in the first wash?

New wax prints can release a little excess dye initially. Wash separately for the first few washes and it settles quickly.

Can I machine wash Ankara?

Yes — a gentle, cold cycle with the garment inside out is fine. Avoid hot water and high-heat drying.

How do I keep the colours bright long-term?

Wash cool, dry in shade and iron on the reverse. Heat and strong sun are what fade colour over time.

The bottom line

Treat wax prints gently — cool water, shade drying, a warm iron — and they'll stay bright for years. Shop colourfast, handcrafted prints on our fabrics page, or explore ready-made kaftans and abayas.