A person who follows even an amateur hair-care routine most likely has a shower cap at hand somewhere in their home.
Shower caps do the obvious of keeping hair dry while taking a shower or bath — thereby saving money on products or protecting hair during “non-wash days” — but they are also a great way to protect hair while sleeping, and the perfect accessory when following a deep hair conditioning routine.
Getting a lot of mileage out of a shower cap is a good thing, but it’s important to keep it clean.
It is something that can fly under the radar when thinking about clothes to be washed or things to clean, but exposure to oils and chemicals can leave a cap in bad shape. Haircare products can easily rub off and transfer to a cap, and can result in unpleasant odors and even harmful bacteria growth that can pass on to the hair and scalp.
Properly washing and maintaining a shower cap is an oft-overlooked step of a healthy haircare program.
Different Ways To Wash A Shower Cap
There are two main ways of washing a shower cap, and your preferred method should be dependent on the material of the cap as well as the cleaning materials that you have on hand.
The first method, and possibly the easiest, is machine washing.
It is important to check the label and any care instructions before putting a shower cap in the washing machine, as many brands may not be machine washable. However, if the cap is safe to go in the machine, running it on a gentle cycle, as well as using a mild or other non-harsh detergent is the best way to carefully clean it.
In addition, adding a few towels to the shower cap would be a smart way to ensure it doesn’t rip or tear during the wash.
The second method of washing a shower cap is to do it by hand.
Hunker has a great guide for hand washing a cap using vinegar and dish soap:
- Fill a sink or bucket with enough white vinegar to fully cover the shower cap.
- Place the cap in the vinegar so it is fully submerged and wait 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the shower cap from the vinegar and put a few drops of dish soap into it. Scrub by hand to remove any lingering spots.
- Rinse well and hang dry
Whether using a washing machine or doing it by hand, it is important to let the shower cap hang dry in a well-ventilated area. Most caps are not machine washable, so unless the manufacturer explicitly says that it is dryer safe, assume the best method is to hang dry.
What Is The Best Way To Wash A Shower Cap?
The best and safest way to wash a shower cap would be to do it by hand with dish soap and vinegar.
While there are plenty of shower caps on the market that are machine washable, anyone who chooses this method will have to be extremely cautious to make sure the cap doesn’t rip, tear, or otherwise get damaged during the cleaning process.
On the other hand, washing by hand allows for a more in-depth clean, as well as making sure the cap stays intact and does not get damaged.
Again, whichever method you settle on, it is important not to put shower caps in the dryer. Hang-dry them in a well-ventilated area, and in a few hours, you will have a clean and rejuvenated shower cap.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-wash shower cap that fits you right, check out our article on the 3 best shower caps.