Hair Accessories Care: Keep Bows, Clips, and Ties Looking New

Quick answer

To keep hair accessories looking new, clean fabric bows and ties with a gentle hand wash in cool water, wipe hard clips with a soft damp cloth, and store everything in a dry, compartmentalized container away from direct sunlight. The biggest mistake is tossing them loose into a drawer where they tangle, stretch, and collect dust.

Why hair accessories lose their shape and color

Hair accessories break down for three main reasons: product buildup, moisture, and mechanical stress. Hairspray, dry shampoo, and natural oils coat fabric and metal, dulling colors and weakening elastic. Moisture from damp hair or humid bathrooms encourages mildew in fabric and rust on metal clips. And stretching, twisting, and cramming accessories into tight spaces permanently deforms bows and snaps elastic.

The fix is not complicated. A five-minute weekly routine of cleaning, drying, and storing prevents most damage before it starts.

How to clean fabric hair accessories without ruining them

For fabric bows, scrunchies, and fabric-covered ties, hand washing is safest. Fill a bowl with cool water and a drop of mild liquid soap. Submerge the accessory and gently squeeze the fabric for 30 seconds. Do not wring or twist. Rinse in cool water until no suds remain, then roll in a clean towel to blot excess water and reshape the bow or tie while damp. Air dry flat on a rack away from direct heat.

If the fabric has a structured shape, like a stiffened bow, spot clean only. Dip a microfiber cloth in the soapy water, wring it out well, and dab the soiled area. Rinse the cloth with plain water and dab again to remove soap residue. Let it air dry completely before wearing.

Cleaning hard clips, metal barrettes, and plastic jaws

Metal and plastic clips do not need a full bath. Wipe them with a soft cloth dampened with water and a tiny amount of mild soap. Use a cotton swab to clean the hinge and spring area where hair and product collect. Dry immediately with a dry cloth to prevent rust or water spots.

For decorative clips with glued-on stones or pearls, avoid soaking. Moisture can dissolve the adhesive over time. Wipe gently around the decorations and never pull on them to test if they are loose.

How to store hair accessories so they last

Storage is where most people undo their cleaning efforts. A divided organizer, a small drawer with compartments, or a hanging jewelry roll works well. Keep fabric items separate from metal clips to prevent snags. Store hair ties loosely wrapped around a wide card or in a small pouch rather than stretched around a doorknob or water bottle.

Keep the storage spot dry and out of direct sunlight. Sun fades fabric and makes elastic brittle. A bathroom drawer is fine if the room has good ventilation; a steamy shower area is not.

A note on readers and sunglasses as hair accessories

If you wear readers or sunglasses pushed up on your head, they count as hair accessories too. Oils from hair and skin build up on the temples and nose pads, and repeated pushing can loosen hinges. Wipe the frames with a microfiber cloth after each wear, and store them in a case rather than loose in a bag. The Outlet Lorie Readers and Outlet Bree Sunglasses both have patterned plastic temples that can be wiped clean the same way, but avoid alcohol-based cleaners that can dull the finish.

Your 5-step hair accessory care routine

1. Step 1: Sort and inspect: Once a week, empty your accessory drawer or organizer. Check each piece for stretched elastics, loose stones, bent clips, or fabric snags. Set aside anything that needs cleaning or repair. Common mistake: skipping inspection until something breaks. A two-minute check catches small issues early.
2. Step 2: Pre-treat stains and buildup: For fabric bows and ties with visible product buildup, apply a tiny drop of mild soap directly to the spot and let it sit for one minute before washing. For metal clips, use a dry soft brush to loosen dust from hinges. Checkpoint: never scrub vigorously—friction damages fabric fibers and scratches metal finishes.
3. Step 3: Wash by material: Hand wash fabric items in cool water with mild soap, then rinse and blot dry. Wipe hard clips with a damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not machine wash or tumble dry any hair accessory. Common mistake: using hot water, which can shrink elastic and fade colors.
4. Step 4: Reshape and air dry: While fabric is still damp, reshape bows and smooth ties flat. Lay them on a clean towel or hang them on a drying rack. Keep them out of direct sun and away from radiators. Checkpoint: accessories must be completely dry before storage to prevent mildew and rust.
5. Step 5: Store smart: Place fabric items in one compartment and hard clips in another. Wrap hair ties loosely around a wide card or keep them in a small pouch. Store the organizer in a dry, shaded spot. Common mistake: stretching hair ties around a knob or bottle—this permanently weakens elastic. A loose wrap keeps them springy.

Product facts for accessories you might wear in your hair

• Outlet Lorie Readers: Reading lenses with Vera Bradley signature print featured on inside temples. Dimensions: 50 - 19 - 145. The printed temples are a fabric-free surface, so they wipe clean easily with a microfiber cloth—no need for a full wash.
• Outlet Bree Sunglasses: Classic style frame with patterned plastic temple. Dimensions: 50 - 20 - 151. The plastic temples resist moisture better than metal, but still should be wiped after wear to prevent product buildup.
• Blanket Wrap: Blanket Wrap with fringe detail at edges. Dimensions: 70.0" w x 38.0" h. This wrap is not a hair accessory, but its fringe can tangle with hair ties and clips if stored together—keep it on a separate shelf or hook.