How to Keep Hair Scrunchies Looking New: Care Tips

Quick answer

Care for hair scrunchies by washing them gently by hand or in a mesh bag on a cool, delicate cycle, then air-drying them flat away from direct heat. Wash less often than you think, store them loosely, and check the elastic before each wash so a stretched or worn scrunchie does not get mixed in with the good ones.

Hair scrunchies are small, but they take a beating. They stretch over hair, sit against skin and hair products, and disappear into the bottom of a bag. A little routine care keeps the fabric soft and the elastic lively, which means fewer snags and a gentler hold on your hair.

This guide walks through a simple scrunchie maintenance routine, from deciding when to clean them to drying and storing them so they keep their shape. It applies to fabric scrunchies generally, including the kind of gentle hair accessories Cam Cam Copenhagen makes, and it flags the mistakes that shorten their life.

Why scrunchie maintenance is worth the effort

A scrunchie is mostly fabric wrapped around an elastic core. The fabric can pill, fade, or snag, and the elastic can lose its snap. Both problems usually come from heat, harsh detergent, or rough handling rather than from normal wear. Gentle care protects the fabric surface and keeps the elastic from over-stretching.

Cleanliness matters too. Scrunchies pick up natural oils, styling products, and dust. If you use them on damp hair or during workouts, they can start to feel stiff or smell stale. A light wash now and then keeps them fresh without wearing them out.

• Wash based on use, not on a fixed schedule.
• Treat scrunchies like delicate underwear, not like towels.

When to clean scrunchies (and when to skip it)

If you wear a scrunchie once on clean, dry hair and it still looks and smells fresh, put it back in rotation. Wash after heavy use, after contact with sweaty hair, after applying oil or styling products, or whenever the fabric looks dull or feels tacky. For most people, that means every few wears rather than after every single use.

Rotating several scrunchies spreads the wear and cuts down on washing. Keep two or three in easy reach and let the others rest. If a scrunchie is visibly stretched, pilled, or has a relaxed elastic, retire it from hair duty rather than washing it again.

• Checkpoint: if the elastic no longer springs back, washing will not fix it.
• Mistake to avoid: tossing every scrunchie into the wash after one wear.

How to wash scrunchies without ruining them

Hand washing is the safest method. Fill a bowl with cool water and a drop of mild detergent, squeeze the scrunchies gently through the water, then rinse until the water runs clear. Do not wring or twist them. If you prefer a machine, place scrunchies in a mesh laundry bag and run a cool, delicate cycle with a low spin.

Skip fabric softener and bleach. Softener leaves a coating that can make fabric feel slippery and can weaken elastic over time, while bleach damages color and fibers. If a scrunchie has a decorative bow, bead, or embroidery, hand washing is the safer choice because the machine can catch and pull at small details.

• Use cool water and a small amount of mild detergent.
• Never wring, twist, or scrub the fabric against itself.

Drying and storing scrunchies so they keep their shape

Lay scrunchies flat on a clean towel or hang them to air-dry. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, hair dryers, and other heat sources, since heat is what ages elastic. A tumble dryer is risky even on low because the heat and tumbling can distort the fabric and the elastic core.

Store scrunchies loosely in a drawer, a small pouch, or a bowl on a shelf. Avoid stretching them around a hook, a bottle, or a hairbrush handle for long periods, because that keeps the elastic under tension. If you travel with them, a small zip pouch keeps them from tangling with other items.

• Air-dry flat or hanging, never in direct heat.
• Mistake to avoid: storing scrunchies stretched around objects.

Everyday habits that extend scrunchie life

Put scrunchies in before applying heavy oils, sprays, or gels when you can, or choose a style that does not need much product. Remove them gently instead of pulling them down over the hair, which stretches the elastic and roughs up the fabric. For very thick hair, use a scrunchie that already has a relaxed fit rather than forcing a tight one.

Keep a separate scrunchie for workouts, gardening, or messy tasks so your nicer ones stay clean. If a scrunchie gets wet from rain or swimming, rinse it in cool water and air-dry it rather than letting chlorine or salt sit in the fibers.

• Slide scrunchies off gently instead of yanking them.
• Rinse after swimming or heavy sweating, then air-dry.

Your 5-step scrunchie care routine

1. 1. Sort and check: Separate scrunchies by fabric type and check each elastic by giving it a gentle stretch. Set aside any that are stretched out, pilled, or have loose embellishments. Checkpoint: only wash scrunchies that still have bounce and intact details.
2. 2. Pre-treat small marks: Dab a tiny amount of mild detergent on visible spots with your fingertip and let it sit for a minute. Do not rub hard, which can spread the mark or fuzz the fabric. Mistake to avoid: scrubbing stains with a brush or undiluted detergent.
3. 3. Wash gently: Hand wash in cool water with a drop of mild detergent, or place scrunchies in a mesh bag and use a cool, delicate machine cycle with low spin. Skip softener and bleach. Checkpoint: the water should be cool, not warm, and the agitation minimal.
4. 4. Rinse and remove excess water: Rinse until the water runs clear, then press the scrunchies between a clean towel to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist them. Mistake to avoid: twisting scrunchies like a rag, which distorts the elastic.
5. 5. Air-dry and store loosely: Lay scrunchies flat or hang them to air-dry away from direct heat and sunlight. Once dry, store them loosely in a drawer, pouch, or bowl rather than stretched around an object. Next step: rotate two or three scrunchies at a time to reduce wear and washing.

A note on Cam Cam Copenhagen hair accessories

• Embroidered Pacifier Holder - GOTS - Augusta: Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton with delicate embroidery of cute bunnies and a secure clip that attaches to clothing. It shows how the brand treats small fabric accessories: organic cotton, careful detailing, and a practical attachment. The same gentle approach applies to washing and storing any small textile accessory, including scrunchies.
• Short Sleeved Body Olivia - GOTS - Bows: Made from soft, stretchy jersey cotton with a ruffled collar and short sleeves, available in several prints. It is a useful reference for how GOTS-certified cotton feels and behaves in everyday use, which helps you judge when a fabric accessory needs a gentle wash rather than a rough one.

Scrunchies do not need much to stay in good shape, just cool water, gentle handling, and a little space to breathe when they dry. Build the five-step routine into your laundry habits and your gentle hair accessories will stay soft, stretchy, and ready to wear.