How to Wash and Care for Hanfu — Complete Guide 2026

Chiffon / Georgette

Most Ruqun styles

Gentle machine wash or hand wash — Most Forgiving

Delicate/gentle cycle in a mesh bag, cold water, mild detergent. Or hand wash. Air dry flat. Steam to remove wrinkles. Do not tumble dry. Chiffon is the most forgiving Hanfu fabric — it recovers well from washing and dries quickly.

Embroidered Styles

All embroidered Hanfu

Hand wash only — Turn Inside Out

Turn inside out before washing. Cold water, mild detergent, gentle agitation. Never machine wash — the agitation damages embroidery thread. Never wring. Press gently to remove water. Air dry flat. Steam only — never iron directly on embroidery.

Heavy Embroidery

Dense embroidered Hanfu

Hand wash or dry clean — Most Delicate

For the first wash, consider dry cleaning to assess the fabric's response. For subsequent washes: hand wash inside out, cold water, minimal detergent, very gentle agitation. Air dry flat. The dense embroidery adds weight when wet — support the garment fully when lifting from water.

Jacquard

Structured weave styles

Hand wash only — Preserve the Weave

Hand wash only. The structured jacquard weave can distort in a machine wash. Cold water, mild detergent. Air dry flat — hanging can stretch the weave. Steam to remove wrinkles. Store flat or hanging on a padded hanger.

Check the care label

Every Olive Girl garment has a care label. Check it first. If it says dry clean only, dry clean. If it says hand wash, follow this guide.

Turn inside out (embroidered styles)

For embroidered Hanfu, turn inside out before washing. This protects the embroidery from direct agitation and friction.

Fill basin with cold water + mild detergent

Cold water only — hot water shrinks fabric and fades color. Use a small amount of wool wash or delicate fabric wash. Never use regular laundry detergent — too harsh for delicate fabrics.

Submerge and gently agitate

Submerge the Hanfu and gently move it through the water. Do not scrub, wring, or twist. For embroidered areas: press gently, do not rub. Soak for 5–10 minutes maximum.

Rinse thoroughly in cold water

Rinse until no detergent remains. Detergent residue attracts dirt and can stiffen fabric. Change the rinse water 2–3 times if needed.

Press out water — never wring

Gently press the Hanfu against the side of the basin to remove excess water. Never wring or twist — this distorts the fabric and damages embroidery. Lay flat on a clean towel and roll the towel to absorb more water.

Air dry flat away from direct sunlight

Lay flat on a clean dry surface or a drying rack. Reshape while damp. Keep away from direct sunlight — UV light fades fabric and weakens embroidery thread. Allow to dry completely before storing.

Easiest Care

$189

Song Dynasty Hanfu — Easiest Care, Most Forgiving

Lightweight chiffon. Gentle machine wash or hand wash. The easiest Hanfu to care for. XS–3XL. 30-day returns.

Worth the Care

$249

Heavy Embroidered Hanfu — Hand Wash Only, Worth Every Minute

Dense embroidery requires hand washing. Worth every minute of care. XS–3XL.

Tang

$169

Tang Dynasty Wide Sleeve Hanfu — Hand Wash, Air Dry Flat

Chiffon with embroidery. Hand wash, turn inside out, air dry flat. XS–3XL.

Song

$236

Song Dynasty Embroidered Hanfu — Hand Wash, Inside Out

Real embroidery. Hand wash inside out, cold water, air dry flat. XS–3XL.