Here at Heritage Park, Boden dresses are beloved wardrobe staples. Whether it’s a day at the beach, a casual brunch with besties, or a fancy cocktail soirée, Boden’s fun, flirty styles perfectly suit any occasion. Even better? Many of these on-trend pieces can be easily washed at home. This article explains how we wash our Boden dresses to keep them bright and beautiful.

Boden USA: Our Favorite Dress Brand

The Heritage Park team loves doing laundry. It’s our business and–we’re not ashamed to admit– our hobby. We always enjoy sharing tips and techniques for making laundry day easier. Today, we’re extra delighted to be writing about one of our favorite clothing brands: Boden.

Founded in 1991 in the United Kingdom, Boden quickly grew a loyal following drawn to its high-quality, reasonably priced clothing in vibrant colors and playful prints. The Boden range includes clothing, swimsuits, shoes, and accessories for the whole family. Boden dresses, though, really capture our hearts (and serious real estate in our closets). The pinnacle of versatile sophistication, Boden dresses are our go-to inspiration for work, weekend, or wedding wear in every season. These classic silhouettes are infused with contemporary twists to exude an air of confidence and effortless chic. Boden dresses are bright, breezy, and always in style (picture Kate Middleton, the world’s most famous Boden fan).

Along with the signature look, we appreciate Boden’s dedication to environmental and social sustainability. The company uses an ethical supply chain, actively reduces waste and its carbon footprint, and incorporates a growing percentage of sustainably sourced materials into its products. This is why Boden is consistently recognized as one of the most ethical clothing brands, which is no small feat in the world of fast fashion. Boden clothes are made to last and–in keeping with its mission–can often be washed at home (hooray for minimum spend). We routinely machine wash our favorite Boden dresses – including our beloved Amelie Jersey Dress and our cotton maxi dress – with great success. Read on for step-by-step guidance on how we do it! (Note: you can also adapt these instructions for mini Boden dresses).

Choose the Right Detergent for Washing Your Boden Dress

Many Boden dresses, even those with lining like the Elsa Midi Tea Dress, are machine washable. Boden makes washable dresses in a variety of materials including jersey dresses that are a blend of sustainable viscose and elastane; cotton; cotton blends; and linen. For all of these fabrics, we recommend using Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent. This concentrated, plant-based detergent effectively cleans and protects fine fabric. It contains a blend of natural enzymes to lift and remove stains, but is pH-neutral and made without harsh chemicals, bleach, or brighteners that can fade Boden’s signature bright colors. Choose our fragrance-free formula (lab-certified hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested) or one of our lightly fragranced options: Spring Magnolia, Lavender Mist, or Shore Breeze. 

Supplies You’ll Need to Wash Boden Dresses

Gather the following supplies to wash your Boden dresses:

• Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent in Fragrance-Free/Hypoallergenic (or one of our lightly scented formulas), or Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent.
• A washing machine with a gentle cycle.
• Mesh laundry bags.
• A spray bottle for making your own enzyme solution.
• A tub or bucket for pre-soaking and handwashing.
• A drying rack.
• An iron with a cool setting.

Simple Steps for Machine Washing Your Boden Dresses

Follow these guidelines for washing your Boden dresses.

Step 1: Read the Care Label

The care label on your Boden dress is the ultimate guide for cleaning without causing damage. Some dresses, like the Smocked Cuff Maxi Dress, require dry cleaning and should be taken to a professional.

Step 2: Pretreat and Presoak Stains Immediately

Pre-treat or pre-soak any stains as soon as possible. Use an enzyme stain remover or make a 1:1 ratio solution of Heritage Park All Purpose Laundry Detergent and water in a spray bottle. 

Step 3: Wash Your Dress(es) in a Dedicated Load

We recommend washing your Boden dress by itself, or with another dress of similar material to preserve the structural integrity of the garment. We wash our Thea Sleeveless Midi Dress with our Julia Jersey Shirt Dress together in one load, but launder our Embroidered Belted Linen dress separately in its own load.

Step 4: When in Doubt, Use a Mesh Laundry Bag

For maximum TLC, turn your dress inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. This prevents the fabric snagging on the machine tub or twisting around the agitator mechanism (which can definitely happen with a long sleeve garment). Mini dresses, midi dresses, and maxi dresses all do best in a large size mesh bag, which allows for thorough cleaning.

Step 5: Use A Gentle Cycle and Cool Water

Hot water takes a toll on fabric. Choose cold water and a delicate or “hand wash” cycle for your machine. 

Step 6: Avoid Bleach, Fabric Softener, and Dryer Sheets

These products are unnecessary and can damage clothing. Bleach will cause discoloration and yellowing, and fabric softeners and dryer sheets will leave a waxy build-up both on fabric and on the inside of your machine. 

Step 7: Reshape and Air Dry Flat or on a Rack

Never wring your dress when it comes out of the wash; instead, roll it in a clean towel to absorb excess moisture. Never put your Boden dress in the dryer, as the heat can cause it to go down a size. Instead, gently reshape your dress by hand and lay it flat to dry on a drying rack. This step is important, especially for washable structured dresses like the Ellen Ottoman Dress or Scarlet Ottoman Ponte Dress. 

Step 8: Cool Iron Only

If need be, press your dress with a cool iron from the reverse side. Your cotton Amy Sleeveless Shirt Dress, for example, will need a light touch with an iron. You may also want to press any long sleeves, pockets, or hem side slits to restore their crispness.

How to Hand Wash Your Boden Dress

Fill a tub or basin with cool to lukewarm water; add a small amount of Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent; and swish to dissolve. Submerge your dress in the soapy water and gently agitate for a minute or two. Allow the garment to sit for 10 to 15 minutes; gently rub the fabric to remove any residual dirt or stains. Rinse in cool water, and DO NOT wring out. Press excess water out with your hand or blot with a lint-free towel. Reshape and air dry, as noted above.

We hope we’ve given you some great ideas for washing and caring for your Boden dresses at home. By following these guidelines, we’ve kept our Boden dresses fresh and bright through multiple seasons. As always, feel free to give us a call with any questions about fabric care or our products. Our team is here to assist you.