At what temperature should a headscarf be washed?

A headscarf is washed at the temperature stated on the label; cold or lukewarm water and a delicate programme suit most headscarves. Headscarves that bleed colour are washed separately in cold water.

Can a hijab be machine washed?

Cotton, viscose and polyester hijabs with a machine-wash symbol on the label can be washed in a laundry bag on a delicate programme at a low temperature. Silk and embellished hijabs are not machine washed.

How do you iron a chiffon scarf?

If the label allows, a chiffon scarf is ironed on the reverse side at a low setting or with a thin cloth in between. High heat can make thin fabric shiny and puckered.

Guide · Laundry and clothes washing · October 24, 2026

How to Wash a Headscarf

Because headscarves and hijabs are worn close to the face and hair, they get soiled with makeup, foundation, perfume and sweat marks; their thin fabrics can also easily shrink, crease or bleed colour in the wash. A headscarf is washed according to its fabric: chiffon, viscose, cotton and satin headscarves can mostly be washed by hand or, if the label allows, on a delicate machine programme, while silk headscarves are cleaned according to the label instructions or by dry cleaning. This guide explains how to wash a headscarf and hijab, how to remove stains and how to dry them. For winter scarves, see the guide how to wash a scarf.

Before you start

Read the label: check the headscarf's fabric, washing temperature and drying information on the label.
Do a colour test: press a wet white cloth on a hidden corner; if dye transfers, wash the headscarf separately in cold water.
Separate colours: wash light and dark headscarves separately.
Pre-treat stains: apply a pre-treatment to makeup and foundation marks before washing.

How to hand wash a headscarf: step by step

Fill a basin with cold or lukewarm water and, once TETİK hand-wash detergent has fully dissolved in the water at the label dose, put the headscarf in.
Wash the headscarf by gently squeezing and releasing; do not rub or wring it.
Rinse the headscarf several times in clean water until no detergent remains.
Without wringing, remove the water by rolling the headscarf in a towel and pressing.
For details: how to hand wash clothes.
For viscose headscarves and fabrics: how to wash viscose.

Can a headscarf be machine washed?

Cotton, viscose and polyester headscarves with a machine-wash symbol on the label can be machine washed. Put the headscarf in a laundry bag, choose the delicate or hand-wash programme and the low temperature stated on the label, and keep the spin speed low. Use detergent for coloureds at the label dose and take the headscarf out without delay when the wash finishes. Do not machine wash silk or embellished headscarves.

Headscarves by fabric

Chiffon headscarf: being thin and light, it is washed by hand in cold or lukewarm water and not wrung; it is hung to dry.
Viscose headscarf: weakens in water; it is washed gently, not rubbed, and laid flat to dry.
Cotton and cotton jersey headscarf: if the label allows, it can be washed on a delicate machine programme; it can shrink at high temperatures.
Satin headscarf: find out the fabric from the label; polyester satin can be washed by hand or on a delicate programme.
Silk headscarf: we have no product for it; follow the label instructions or the dry cleaning recommendation.

Makeup, perfume and sweat stains

Apply a stain remover such as İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı to foundation and lipstick marks according to its label; test it on a hidden spot first.
For details: how to remove makeup stains, how to remove perfume stains.
For sweat marks: how to remove sweat stains.
For thick and fringed shawls: how to wash a shawl.
For abayas and modest outerwear: how to wash an abaya.
Do not rub stains on thin fabric; the fabric thins and becomes shiny.

Drying and ironing

Dry the headscarf in the shade on a hanger or spread on a drying rack; hang it folded to avoid peg marks.
Put it in the tumble dryer only if the label allows.
If the label allows, iron the headscarf on the reverse side at a low setting or with a thin cloth in between.
Whether to use fabric softener depends on your preference and the label; if you use it, do not exceed the label dose.

What not to do

Machine washing silk and embellished headscarves.
Using bleach on a headscarf.
Washing in hot water and wringing out.
Washing a headscarf that bleeds colour together with other laundry.
Drying the headscarf in direct sun for a long time.

For boutiques and dry cleaners

Boutiques selling headscarves and shawls, modest fashion shops and dry cleaners handle thin fabrics often; sorting headscarves by fabric type, fully dissolving the hand-wash detergent in water before use and drying in the shade keeps the routine orderly. For a product list, see Laundry supplies and chemicals. TETİK hand-wash detergent is sold in 20 kg, TETİK detergent for coloureds in 4 kg and İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı in 1 L packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.