A turban that is washed correctly keeps its colour and shape for years. One that is washed the wrong way turns thin, faded and loses its stretch within a few months. The difference comes down to three things: temperature, drying and frequency.
How often
More often than you might think. Headwear sits directly against your skin all day and collects sweat and skin oils, just like clothing worn next to the body. If you wear it daily, every second or third day is reasonable – and more often in summer.
That is also why it makes sense to have at least two. With only one, you either have to wash it in the evening and hope it dries, or wear it unwashed. With two, the problem disappears, and both last longer because they get to rest in between.
By material
Cotton, bamboo and viscose. Machine wash at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle, ideally in a laundry bag. Use a mild detergent and no fabric softener – it leaves a film that makes the fabric less breathable.
Silk and satin. Hand wash in lukewarm water with a detergent for delicate fabrics, preferably enzyme-free. Never wring it out; press the water out in a towel.
Decorated styles. Bows, braided details, glitter and fabric roses should be hand washed. A machine wash can tear off the decoration or flatten it for good.
Drying makes all the difference
The tumble dryer is the single worst thing you can do to headwear. The heat breaks down the elastic, and once the stretch is gone, it never fits as well again.
Always dry it flat on a towel. If you hang it up, the weight of the wet fabric pulls it out of shape. Styles with pleats or draping can be shaped by hand while they are still damp.
Colour
Wash patterned and brightly coloured turbans separately the first few times. Some bleed when wet, especially onto light-coloured clothes. Direct sunlight also causes fading, so store them in a drawer or wardrobe rather than out in the open.
Storage
Folded in a drawer works for most. Turbans with a bow, a large knot or a visor are better stored lying flat with nothing on top, or on a wig head if you have one. It is the shape you are protecting, not the fabric.
When it is worn out
Elastic that no longer holds, fabric that has worn thin or colour that will not come back – that is when it is time. A turban that slips all day will not get worn, and that is worse than replacing it.
See all turbans and headwear or sleep caps in silk and satin.