How to Care for Sequin Clothes

Why Sequins Need Special Care

Sequins are small discs of plastic or metal attached to fabric with thread or adhesive. They can be scratched, cracked, melted by heat, or lost if threads break during washing. Most sequin garments require hand washing or dry cleaning — machine washing on a regular cycle is too harsh.

Step 1: Check the Care Label and Sequin Type

• Plastic sequins: Can usually be hand washed in cool water. Avoid hot water — it can warp plastic sequins.
• Metal sequins: Can rust or tarnish with water — dry cleaning is safer.
• Glued sequins: Water dissolves adhesive — spot clean or dry clean only.
• Sewn sequins: More durable, hand washing is usually safe.

Hand Washing Sequin Garments

1. Turn the garment inside out to protect sequins from friction.
2. Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent.
3. Submerge and gently swish — don't scrub or agitate the sequined areas.
4. Soak for no more than 5 minutes.
5. Rinse gently in cool water.
6. Support the full weight when lifting — wet sequin garments are heavy.
7. Press water out gently with a towel — never wring.
8. Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight and heat.

Machine Washing (Last Resort)

If hand washing isn't possible and the care label permits:

• Turn inside out.
• Place in a mesh laundry bag to protect sequins from snagging and reduce impact.
• Use the most delicate cycle with cold water.
• Use a minimal amount of gentle detergent.
• Air dry flat immediately after — never tumble dry.

What to Absolutely Avoid

• Hot water — warps and melts plastic sequins.
• Tumble dryer — heat melts sequins and tumbling breaks threads.
• Ironing directly on sequins — melts plastic sequins instantly. If ironing is needed, iron on the reverse side with a pressing cloth.
• Wringing — breaks threads and loses sequins.

Storage

• Store flat or hang on a padded hanger — sequins can snag on other garments.
• Place in a breathable garment bag to prevent snagging in the wardrobe.
• Keep away from direct sunlight — UV light fades colored sequins over time.

Final Thoughts

Hand washing inside out in cool water is the safest approach for most sequin garments. A mesh laundry bag provides protection if machine washing is necessary. The non-negotiable rules: no hot water, no dryer, no direct ironing on sequins.