How to Wash Printed Bodhi Shorts Without Fading the Print
By Pouch Underwear with the Joey Pouch® | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
Turn printed Bodhi shorts inside out, wash cold on gentle, and air dry to keep the print sharp and the fabric performing. Here is the exact routine.
Quick answer
Turn your printed Bodhi shorts inside out, wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, and air dry them away from direct sun. Skip fabric softener and the dryer. This routine protects the print and keeps the quick-dry, wrinkle-resistant, 4-way stretch fabric working the way it should.
Why printed shorts fade faster than solid ones
Print fading is usually mechanical, not just chemical. The printed surface rubs against other garments, the drum, and itself during washing and drying. Heat accelerates dye loss, and friction wears down the print layer. Solid shorts hide this wear better because there is no pattern to distort. Printed shorts show every dulled patch, so the goal is to reduce both heat and abrasion.
The Bodhi short fabric adds another consideration: it is a polyester blend partially derived from discarded water bottles with 4-way stretch. That blend is durable, but high heat can stress the stretch fibers over time. Treating the print and the stretch with the same care keeps the whole short in rotation longer.
What you need before you start
Gather a mild liquid detergent, a mesh laundry bag if you have one, and a drying rack or a clean line. Check the care label on your specific Bodhi shorts for any updates, since the catalog does not list a full care specification. If the label conflicts with anything here, follow the label.
Sort by color and fabric weight. Wash printed shorts with similar colors and lightweight synthetics, not heavy cotton towels or items with zippers, hooks, or Velcro that can snag the print.
How often do printed Bodhi shorts actually need washing?
Bodhi shorts are designed as a multi-functional hybrid short for everything from downtown drinks to casual rounds, so they often get worn for a few hours rather than a full sweaty day. If they are not visibly soiled or sweaty, air them out overnight and wear them again. Wash after any heavy sweat, spills, or a full day in heat.
Overwashing is a common cause of print dulling. Fewer, gentler washes beat frequent harsh ones.
Step-by-step: washing printed Bodhi shorts
- 1. Empty the pockets and close any fasteners: Remove everything from pockets, zip zippers, and secure buttons or snaps. A forgotten key or a metal zipper head is the fastest way to scratch or snag a print. Checkpoint: run your hand through every pocket before the shorts go in the basket.
- 2. Turn the shorts inside out: Turning them inside out puts the printed face against itself instead of against the drum and other garments. This single step prevents most of the abrasion that dulls a print. Checkpoint: the print should not be visible when the shorts are ready for the machine.
- 3. Wash cold on a gentle or delicate cycle: Use cold water and a mild liquid detergent. Select a gentle or delicate cycle with a low spin speed. Hot water and heavy agitation are the two biggest causes of print fading and stretch loss. Common mistake: using hot water to sanitize. Cold water plus detergent is enough for everyday soil.
- 4. Skip fabric softener and bleach: Fabric softener leaves a coating that can dull the print and reduce the quick-dry performance of the fabric. Bleach attacks dyes directly. If you need extra cleaning, use a small amount of mild detergent and a pre-treat spot. Checkpoint: if the bottle says bleach or softener, leave it out.
- 5. Air dry away from direct sun: Hang or lay the shorts flat to dry. Direct sun and a hot dryer both fade prints and stress the 4-way stretch. If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the shorts while slightly damp. Common mistake: leaving them in the dryer on high heat. That is the fastest route to a cracked, faded print.
- 6. Store folded, not hung by the waistband: Once dry, fold the shorts and store them in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging them by the waistband for long periods can stretch the fabric and distort the fit. Checkpoint: the print should still look sharp and the fabric should feel smooth, not stiff.
Bodhi shorts in the current lineup
- Printed Bodhi Short - Blue Storm: Printed Bodhi Short - Blue Storm is a multi-functional hybrid short with quick-dry, wrinkle-resistant 4-way stretch fabric made from a polyester blend partially derived from discarded water bottles. The quick-dry finish means it releases water fast, so a cold gentle wash and air dry are enough. High heat is unnecessary and works against the print.
- Bodhi Short - Light Red: Bodhi Short - Light Red uses the same quick-dry, wrinkle-resistant 4-way stretch polyester blend partially derived from discarded water bottles. Lighter colors show fading and dye transfer sooner, so wash light red separately from dark prints and avoid hot water.
- Bodhi Short - Yale Blue: Bodhi Short - Yale Blue uses the same quick-dry, wrinkle-resistant 4-way stretch polyester blend partially derived from discarded water bottles. Darker blues can bleed slightly in the first few washes. Cold water and a short cycle limit dye transfer to other items.
