As a reader of Africa Blog, you may already know that I love African print fabrics, known as Ankara or Wax prints. If you are not familiar with Ankara, you can learn more about this beautiful print in This item dedicated to it. These prints are one of the most gorgeous and intricate fabrics, and they come in a plethora of colors and patterns.
The wax print is versatile as it can be sewn in both traditional and modern styles. These fabrics add pizzazz to the simplest styles. I own more than a handful of clothes made with African prints. One of my favorite accessories is this beautiful wax scarf
In its simplest form, Ankara is made by printing designs onto 100% cotton fabric. Due to the design process, African print fabric is delicate and requires proper care to avoid losing its luster. Here are some things to keep in mind when washing any type of African print (including Ankara, Kente , Kitenge and Dashiki):
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR WAX FABRIC?
- Separate African print fabric from other clothing to avoid stains.
- Machine wash in cold or lukewarm water, making sure not to exceed 30°C or 86°F.
- Use an easy-to-use detergent for colored fabrics. Like all household products, keep them out of the reach of children.
- Stop the spin cycle of your washer.
- Hang clothes to dry in a shady area (preferably) or dry at cool temperature. Excessive heat causes the color to fade from the fabric.
- Once the laundry is dry, iron it inside out on medium heat.
Here is a step-by-step process for washing my African printed clothing in order to maintain their shine and extend the life of the fabric:
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Place Tide® PODS™ Plus Downy® in the washer. Use 2 PODS for large loads
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Add the wax clothes
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Fill the machine with cool water appropriate for the load of laundry. Tide® PODS™ Plus Downy® dissolves at all temperatures.
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Close and lock the washer lid
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Stop the spin cycle and set the washer to delicate if available.
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Hang clothes to dry.
So ! You have finished. It's so easy to take care of your Ankara clothes. These laundry detergent packets deliver the cleanliness you love, now to ensure your clothes are clean, stain-free and protected every time you do laundry. Follow these instructions so you can wear your Wax print for a long time. Visit our collection of African wax fabrics and treat yourself!
