How to Naturally Soften Your African Wax Print Fabric

African wax print fabrics are always gorgeous with their intricate patterns and wonderful mix of colours. However, when you first get them, they tend to be a bit stiff. Of course, the fabric will soften over time. But if you want to get more comfortable in your African wax print fabrics sooner, there are ways to soften them without the use of harsh chemicals.

Soak the Fabric in Salt

For this method, you will need a sink with a tap, water, and about a half cup of salt. The salt acts as a natural softener on the wax print fabric.

– Fill the sink with water and add salt. It’s a good idea to warm the water, so it’s nice and warm.

– Submerge the chosen fabric in the warm saltwater and let it sit for about 20 minutes.

– Take the fabric out of the water and squeeze excess water out of it.

– Lay the fabric on a flat surface and smooth it out.

– Let the fabric dry naturally.

Once the fabric has dried, it should be much softer and more comfortable to wear.

Soak the Fabric in Vinegar

The next natural way to soften your African wax print fabrics is to soak them in vinegar. The vinegar softens the fabric and also helps remove any natural oils that have built up on the fabric.

– Mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of warm water. This solution is called ‘white vinegar’. You can also use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

– Submerge the fabric in the solution and let it sit for about 15 minutes.

– Hang the fabric up to dry.

The fabric should be much softer and more comfortable to wear.

Soak the Fabric in Soap and Hot Water

Using mild and gentle soap to soften your African wax print fabric is a very simple method. It’s also very effective, especially if the fabric isn’t too dirty. Soap helps soften the fabric, and it also helps clean and brighten the fabric.

– Fill a sink with lukewarm water. Add a squirt of mild and gentle liquid detergent and a few drops of liquid fabric softener.

– Submerge the fabric in the water and let it sit for 10 minutes.

– Take the fabric out of the water, squeeze out excess water, and lay it flat to dry.

– Hang the fabric to dry.

Use Steam to Soften Your Fabric

Steaming your African wax print fabrics is another natural way to soften them. You can use a garment steamer, or you can use a handheld steamer.

To use a handheld steamer, fill a bowl with water and add a few drops of liquid fabric softener.

– Place the fabric on a flat surface.

– Hold the steamer above the fabric and allow the steam to flow onto the fabric.

– Smooth the fabric out and let it cool.

The fabric should be much softer and more comfortable to wear.

Final Thoughts

African wax print fabrics are fun, beautiful and colourful. You can use them for craft projects, decorating, and clothing. However, they can be quite stiff when you first buy them. But through natural methods, you can soften an African wax print fabric so you can use them more comfortably and stylishly.

Get quality African wax prints from Nkiti African Clothing. We are a UK based clothing designer that specialises in designing casual African wear. Our vision is to create modern, high-quality clothing that pays homage to our rich African ancestry. Shop now!