How to wash your dog's clothes without ruining them

The golden rules of washing (good for almost everything)

Before we go garment by garment, there's a handful of rules that work as a base for almost any dog clothing and prevent 90% of the damage.

The first is temperature: never go above 30 °C. Hot water is the number one enemy of technical garments, because it warps fabrics, dulls colours and can shrink the clothing. With cold or lukewarm water you clean just as well and protect the garment. The second rule is to forget bleach: it's too harsh, it fades and damages fibres; to disinfect or remove smells there are much gentler alternatives. And the third is to close zips and velcro before putting the garment in the machine, to avoid snags that ruin both that garment and the rest of the load.

With those three rules you're already ahead. From there, each type of garment has its own quirks.

How to wash dog clothes without ruining them: a garment-by-garment guide

Here's the heart of the guide. Knowing how to wash dog clothes without ruining them comes down to knowing the needs of each type of garment, because not all are cared for the same. Here's the at-a-glance summary:

And now, the detail for each one.

The hooded sweatshirt (hoodie)

It's the most forgiving garment. The hooded sweatshirt is machine-washed at a maximum of 30 °C and, unlike others, it takes the tumble dryer, though always on a low heat so as not to stress the fabric. If you need to iron it, do it on low. The only thing to avoid is dry cleaning, which doesn't suit it. With that care, your hoodie keeps its shape and colour wash after wash. And if you're unsure whether they're comfortable day to day, we cover it in whether hooded sweatshirts are comfortable.

The raincoat

The raincoat is more delicate precisely because of its technical function. It's machine-washed at a maximum of 30 °C, but no tumble dryer here: it must air-dry so as not to damage its ability to repel water. Don't iron it either. And remember to close the front zip before washing. Treated this way, it keeps its waterproofing and its fit season after season. Still unsure whether your dog needs one? We help you decide in when your dog needs a raincoat.

The personalised football jersey

The football jersey is machine-washed at a maximum of 30 °C and always inside out, air-dried and not ironed. That's the label's instruction and it works perfectly.

But here's our premium recommendation, the one that isn't on any label: if your jersey carries your dog's name and number, wash it by hand. Hand washing protects the textile vinyl of the personalisation far more, which is the most delicate part of the garment. Think of it like your favourite team's football shirt: the one you've spent years caring for so the name and number stay intact. Your dog's deserves the same treatment. It's an extra minute that adds years to the print's life.

Drying: where most garments get ruined

If there's one step where people wreck clothing, it's drying. The general rule for technical dog clothing is clear: air-dry whenever you can. The raincoat and the jersey demand it, and even the hoodie, which takes the dryer, appreciates natural drying.

The excessive heat of the tumble dryer warps fabrics, shrinks garments and speeds up their wear. Air-drying, ideally in the shade for the colours and in the sun only when you want an occasional deodorising effect, is the safest way to make clothing last. Be patient with this step: it's as important as the wash itself.

💡 FARA 961 premium tip: machine washing at 30 °C inside out is perfectly fine. But if you want the personalisation to last for years like new, wash the jersey by hand: it's the same care you give your favourite team's shirt, and the textile vinyl appreciates it.

Beyond washing: smells and daily upkeep

Washing well is essential, but care starts earlier. Airing garments between uses, not storing them damp and drying the dog before removing its clothes stop smells building up and stretch the time between washes. And when the smell resists, there are natural methods that work without damaging the fabric: we cover them in how to get smells out of your dog's clothes.

The better you maintain the clothing day to day, the less you'll wash it and the longer it will last. It's the virtuous circle of good care: less effort and garments that last years in perfect shape.

Conclusion: good washing, clothes for years

Washing your dog's clothes without ruining them comes down to respecting a few rules: max 30 °C, no bleach, closed zips and, above all, air-drying for almost everything. From there, each garment has its detail —the hoodie takes a gentle dryer, the raincoat air-dries only, and the jersey is washed inside out by machine or, better still, by hand if it's personalised, to care for the vinyl as if it were your favourite team's— and respecting that is what keeps the clothing like new. Caring for the clothes is caring for your dog's comfort and your wallet.

Want garments built to last and easy to maintain? Discover them in our shop: hoodies, raincoats and jerseys that are comfortable, hard-wearing and stylish for your dog. Comfort first, attitude second.

📸 Show us your dog in its spotless clothes on Instagram: @fara961dogwear.