Top tips for caring for your girls' clothing
With over 20 years of experience designing, creating and manufacturing beautiful children's clothing, we know exactly what helps garments stay looking their best.
Whether you've purchased an Oobi dress, cardigan, knit jumper, leggings, swimwear or everyday basics, a little extra care goes a long way. The good news? Most children's clothing is much easier to care for than people think.
This guide shares our favourite garment care tips to help your little one's wardrobe stay colourful, comfortable and ready for every adventure.
Why Proper Garment Care Matters
Children wear their favourite outfits everywhere.
They climb trees.
Paint.
Dance.
Jump in puddles.
Build cubby houses.
Every wash, every adventure and every season puts clothing to the test.
Looking after your garments correctly helps:
- Colours stay brighter
- Cotton stay soft
- Prints last longer
- Reduce pilling
- Minimise shrinking
- Reduce fading
- Extend the life of every garment
Caring for clothing properly is also one of the easiest ways to reduce waste and create a more sustainable wardrobe.
7 Tips to Care For Your Oobi Outfits
Our outfits are designed to be worn on repeat and with the right care, they'll stay soft, colourful, and beautiful for years. Here are some caring tips to keep in mind.
1) Machine Washable
Please check your individual care instructions tags but we design Oobi so that it can be washed and washed and keep its colours.
Before placing garments into the washing machine we recommend:
- Buttoning buttons
- Closing zippers
- Turning garments inside out
- Emptying pockets
- Separating whites, lights and darks
Turning clothing inside out helps protect prints, embroidery and colours during washing.
2) Skip the harsh stuff
Avoid bleach, oxidants, and brighteners. They're not Oobi-friendly.
Strong detergents can slowly damage fibres and fade colours.
A gentle detergent helps preserve:
- Cotton softness
- Colour vibrancy
- Printed fabrics
- Delicate trims
Avoid detergents containing strong bleaching agents unless specifically recommended on the garment label.
3) First wash tip (for brights)
If your piece is extra colourful, wash it with a little salt to the first tim to help lock in colour. Wash bright colours separately for their first few washes.
4) Don't forget me, please
We know life gets busy, but leaving super colourful clothing wet in the machine for more than a day or two is not ideal if you want to keep the colours vibrant.
5) Drying tips
Lay flat or hang in the shade as sunlight can fade bright colours on any garment.
Whenever possible:
- Avoid tumble drying
- Reshape garments while damp
- Dry flat where recommended
- Hang in the shade
Direct sunlight can gradually fade colours over time.
Shade drying helps garments keep their original appearance.
6) Warm iron recommended
We generally recommend ironing on a warm or cotton setting. Tulle shouldn't be ironed, just shake it (or twirl)!
We recommend:
- Ironing inside out
- Avoiding direct heat on prints
- Using steam where possible
Always follow the care label for the best results.
7) Protect the delicate details
Use a garment bag for pieces with special trims or embellishments.
Many of our special occasion dresses feature:
- Tulle
- Lace
- Embroidery
- Pom poms
- Decorative trims
These garments benefit from being washed inside a garment bag.
This simple step helps prevent delicate details catching on other clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Oobi clothes go in the dryer?
We recommend air drying wherever possible. High heat can shrink cotton and reduce the lifespan of garments.
Why do bright colours sometimes fade?
Heat, harsh detergents and direct sunlight are the biggest causes of fading. Washing in cold water and drying in the shade helps colours stay brighter.
Should I wash new clothes before wearing them?
Many families prefer to wash new clothing before first wear. Following the care instructions helps garments look their best from day one.
How often should children's clothes be washed?
Wash clothing as needed. Everyday play clothes naturally require more frequent washing than special occasion outfits.
Can I use fabric softener?
A small amount is generally fine for many garments, but excessive use may reduce absorbency and affect some fabrics over time.
How do I stop cotton shrinking?
Use cold water, avoid high heat and reshape garments while damp.
Are Oobi clothes machine washable?
Yes. Most Oobi garments are designed for everyday family life and are machine washable. Always check the individual care label for garment-specific instructions.
Looking After Clothes Means Looking After Memories
Children grow quickly, but favourite outfits often become treasured keepsakes.
With the right care, many Oobi garments can be enjoyed for years and even passed down to younger siblings, cousins and friends.
After more than 20 years designing children's clothing, we've learnt that beautiful garments don't need complicated care - just gentle washing, thoughtful drying and plenty of adventures.
