How to Care for Terry Joggers and Crews So They Last Longer

By Casall | Published: 2026-10-13

Category: Tips & Care

A simple wash-and-dry routine for terry joggers and crews that keeps the loop pile soft, reduces pilling, and protects the fit for years of everyday wear.

Quick answer

Wash terry joggers and crews inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle with a small amount of mild liquid detergent, then tumble dry low or hang to dry. Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets, which coat the loops and make terry feel stiff. Treat the set gently and it will stay soft, keep its shape, and resist pilling far longer.

Why terry needs a gentler routine than plain cotton

Terry cloth is built from loops of yarn, not a flat weave. Those loops are what give a jogger or crew its soft, absorbent feel, but they also snag, flatten, and pill when they rub against zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, or rough drum walls. Heat is the other enemy: hot water and a hot dryer can shrink the cotton and crush the loop structure, so the fabric feels thinner and rougher after a few washes. Keeping the wash cool and the agitation low protects both the surface and the fit.

Sort by color and weight, not just by fabric

Cream and other light terry pieces should be washed with similar light colors, and heavier items like joggers should be separated from lightweight tees. A heavy wet jogger tumbling against a thin top causes extra friction, which is one of the main causes of pilling. If you only have one terry set, wash it with other midweight cotton pieces and avoid overloading the drum.

Pre-treat marks before they set

Dab deodorant, lotion, or food marks with a tiny amount of mild detergent and cool water before the main wash. Rubbing the stain with a stiff brush can pull the terry loops and create a fuzzy patch, so use your fingertips or a soft cloth. Let the pre-treated piece sit for five to ten minutes, then wash as usual.

Step-by-step terry care routine

1. Turn the piece inside out and close any zippers: Turning a jogger or crew inside out puts the smooth outer face against the drum and the terry loops against themselves, which reduces surface friction. Zip or button any pockets or plackets so metal edges cannot catch the loops. Checkpoint: no exposed zipper teeth or hook-and-loop straps in the load.
2. Wash cold on a gentle or delicate cycle: Set the machine to cold water and a low-spin gentle cycle. Hot water and heavy agitation are the fastest way to shrink cotton and rough up the terry surface. Use a mild liquid detergent and measure it; too much soap leaves residue that makes the fabric feel stiff. Mistake to avoid: adding fabric softener or dryer sheets, which coat the loops and reduce absorbency and softness.
3. Dry low or hang to dry: If you use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the pieces while they are still slightly damp. High heat is what causes shrinkage and a scratchy feel. Hang drying flat or on a line is the safest option for keeping the loop pile plush. Checkpoint: the piece should feel soft and springy, not stiff or crispy, when it comes out.
4. Store folded, not hung, for shape retention: Hanging a heavy wet or dry terry jogger by the waistband can stretch it out over time. Fold joggers and crews flat in a drawer or on a shelf. If you must hang, use a wide, padded hanger and support the full weight of the garment. Mistake to avoid: hanging a damp jogger by the drawstring, which distorts the waistband.
5. De-pill gently if fuzz appears: If small pills form under the arms or between the thighs, remove them with a fabric shaver or a fine sweater comb held flat against the surface. Do not pull pills off with your fingers, which can tug the loops and create a larger fuzzy area. Next step: after de-pilling, wash the piece inside out on its own to rinse away loose fibers.

Terry pieces built for this routine

Terry Relaxed Jogger - Cream: Relaxed-fit joggers made from organic cotton with a terry inside. The looped inner surface is exactly what a gentle, cool wash protects, so these joggers keep their soft hand feel instead of flattening.
Terry Relaxed Crew - Cream: A relaxed-fit sweatshirt in organic cotton with a terry inside and an embroidered C-monogram on the front. The embroidery is a raised detail that can snag, so washing the crew inside out and avoiding rough loads keeps the monogram and the terry surface intact.