How to Store and Care for Velvet Scrunchies and Hair Bows

Quick answer

Spot clean velvet scrunchies and bows with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then air dry flat away from heat. Store scrunchies loosely in a pouch or small bin so the elastic stays relaxed, and hang or lay bows so the loops and barrette are not compressed. Never soak velvet, wring it, or tumble dry it.

How to wash velvet scrunchies without flattening the pile

Velvet is a pile fabric, which means its soft surface is made of tiny upright fibers. Water and friction press those fibers down, so the safest method is spot cleaning rather than a full wash. Mix a drop of mild liquid soap in cool water, dip a microfiber cloth, and wring it out until it is barely damp. Blot the soiled area instead of rubbing, then blot with a clean damp cloth to rinse. Let the scrunchie air dry flat on a towel, reshaping the fabric with your fingers while it is still damp. If a scrunchie is heavily soiled or has absorbed a smell, hand wash it alone in cool water with mild soap, press it gently between towels to remove excess water, and dry it flat. Do not wring, twist, or hang a wet velvet scrunchie by the elastic, because the weight of the wet fabric can stretch it out of shape.

How to store hair bows so they keep their shape

Bows lose their structure when they are crushed, so the goal is to keep the loops open and the closure unstressed. A padded hanger, a hook, or a shallow drawer divider works well. If you stack bows in a box, place them so no bow presses on another and the loops are not folded flat. For bows with a French barrette, close the clasp before storing so the metal does not catch on velvet or snag neighboring pieces. Keep storage away from direct sun and damp rooms, since prolonged light can fade dyed velvet and humidity can encourage musty odors. If a bow has been squashed, hang it in a warm room for a day; the pile usually relaxes on its own without ironing.

How to prevent creases and elastic stretch in velvet scrunchies

The elastic inside a scrunchie is the part most likely to wear out first. Storing scrunchies stretched around a hook or a thick bundle keeps tension on the elastic for months, which shortens its life. Instead, drop them loosely into a fabric pouch, a small basket, or a drawer with dividers so they rest in a relaxed loop. Avoid hanging a scrunchie on a nail or a thin hook, and do not store them under heavy items. Rotate your scrunchies rather than wearing the same one daily; giving the elastic recovery time between wears helps it hold its shape longer. If a scrunchie feels loose after washing, it is usually the elastic, not the velvet, and no amount of reshaping will restore it.

What to avoid when cleaning velvet hair accessories

A few habits cause most velvet damage. Hot water and high heat shrink and dull the pile. Bleach and harsh detergents strip color and leave the fabric stiff. A washing machine agitator and a dryer both crush the pile and can bend barrettes or stretch elastics. Fabric softener coats the fibers and makes velvet feel slick rather than plush. Hairspray, perfume, and styling products settle on velvet and attract dust, so apply them before you put on the accessory, not after. If a stain is oily or has been set for a long time, treat it as soon as possible; older stains are harder to lift with gentle methods alone and may need professional cleaning.

Velvet hair accessory care FAQ

Can I machine wash a velvet scrunchie?

No. Machine agitation and heat crush the velvet pile and can stretch the elastic. Hand wash only when spot cleaning is not enough, using cool water and mild soap. If the care label is missing, treat it as hand wash only.

How do I dry a velvet scrunchie or bow?

Press out excess water between two towels, then air dry flat away from radiators, hair dryers, and direct sun. Reshape the pile with your fingers while it is damp. Never tumble dry or wring velvet.

How should I store hair bows to keep their shape?

Hang them on a padded hanger or lay them in a shallow drawer so the loops are not folded. Close any barrette clasp first to prevent snags. If a bow gets squashed, hang it in a warm room to let the pile relax.

What causes velvet scrunchies to lose their stretch?

Storing them stretched around a hook or a thick bundle keeps constant tension on the elastic. Store them loose and rotate them between wears. A loose elastic cannot be fixed by reshaping the velvet.

Can I use fabric softener on velvet?

Skip it. Softener coats the fibers and makes velvet feel slick instead of plush. Mild soap and water are enough for routine spot cleaning. Apply hairspray and perfume before putting on the accessory.

Product details that affect care and storage

• Inara Velvet Medium Scrunchie: The Inara Velvet Medium Scrunchie is crafted from luxurious velvet and designed with a spiral elastic to prevent creasing. The spiral elastic is the part to protect during storage, so rest this scrunchie loosely rather than stretched around a hook.
• Bentley Rope Bow: The Bentley Rope Bow is secured with a French Barrette and features golden accents. Close the barrette before storing and keep it from pressing against other accessories so the clasp and golden accents stay undamaged.
• Nikki Glossy Halo: The Nikki Glossy Halo has a sleek, glossy finish and is described as perfect for brides and special occasions. A glossy finish shows dust and fingerprints more readily than matte velvet, so wipe it with a dry soft cloth after wearing and store it where it will not be crushed.