How to Wash and Care for Your Dot Dot Smile Dress So It Lasts

# How to Wash and Care for Your Dot Dot Smile Dress So It Lasts

If you've ever bought a dot dot smile unicorn dress, you already know the magic: buttery-soft fabric, whimsical prints, and twirl-worthy skirts that little girls refuse to take off. Dot Dot Smile dresses are beloved for good reason — they're comfortable enough for everyday wear yet adorable enough for special occasions. But with daily wear comes stains, spills, and playground adventures, so knowing how to properly wash and care for your dresses is essential if you want them to last through multiple kids or stay pristine for hand-me-downs.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about washing, drying, stain removal, and long-term care for your favorite dot dot smile dress styles — whether it's the unicorn, the ruffle dress, the cat print, or the classic empire dress.

Why Proper Care Matters for Dot Dot Smile Dresses

Dot Dot Smile dresses are typically made from a soft, stretchy cotton blend with vibrant, saturated prints. Like most quality kids' clothing, the fabric and prints can fade, stretch, or pill if treated roughly. A little extra care goes a long way:

• Prints stay bright — the signature unicorn, cat, and other whimsical designs keep their color
• Fabric stays soft — no stiff, scratchy fabric after washing
• Fit holds up — the stretchy waistbands and empire waists keep their shape
• Longevity increases — many moms pass their dresses down to younger siblings

If you're still building your collection or wondering about the brand itself, you can read this Dot Dot Smile review for an in-depth look at the quality and sizing, or browse these Dot Dot Smile girls dresses to see the styles in action on real kids.

Before You Wash: Quick Prep Tips

A few minutes of prep can prevent most washing mishaps:

1. Check the care label first. Most Dot Dot Smile dresses are machine washable, but always verify the tag instructions.
2. Turn the dress inside out. This protects the printed design from friction and fading.
3. Close any snaps or zippers. This prevents snagging on other garments.
4. Treat stains before washing. Pre-treating is far more effective than hoping the wash cycle does the work.
5. Wash with similar colors. Deeply saturated prints can bleed in the first few washes.

How to Machine Wash Your Dot Dot Smile Dress

For most dot dot smile dress styles, machine washing is perfectly fine when done gently:

• Use cold water. Cold water protects the prints and prevents shrinking.
• Choose a gentle or delicate cycle. Less agitation means less wear on the fabric.
• Use a mild detergent. Skip harsh detergents and bleach — they can dull those gorgeous unicorn and cat prints.
• Skip the fabric softener. Softener can coat fibers and reduce the fabric's natural softness over time.
• Wash inside out with similar colors. This keeps prints vivid and prevents color transfer.

Hand Washing for Extra Care

If your dress is a special-occasion piece — like a fancy dot dot smile ruffle dress for a birthday party or photoshoot — hand washing is the gentlest option:

1. Fill a sink or basin with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent.
2. Submerge the dress and gently swish for a few minutes.
3. Let it soak for 10–15 minutes for stubborn spots.
4. Rinse thoroughly with cold water until all detergent is gone.
5. Gently press (don't wring!) out excess water.

How to Remove Common Stains

Kids are stain magnets. Here's how to handle the usual suspects:

• Food stains (spaghetti, berries, juice): Rinse with cold water immediately, then pre-treat with a small dab of gentle detergent or a stain stick before washing.
• Grass stains: Pre-treat with a paste of baking soda and water, let sit for 15 minutes, then wash as usual.
• Grease or oil: Sprinkle a little cornstarch on the stain to absorb the oil, brush off, then pre-treat and wash.
• Marker or pen: Dab (don't rub!) with a cloth, then pre-treat before washing.

Important: Always check that the stain is gone before putting the dress in the dryer. Heat sets stains permanently.

To Dryer or Not to Dryer?

The safest answer: air dry whenever possible.

• Air drying preserves elasticity, prevents shrinking, and keeps prints looking new. Hang the dress or lay it flat to dry away from direct sunlight.
• If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the dress while it's still slightly damp.

The stretchy waistband on dresses like the dot dot smile cat dress will last much longer with air drying than with repeated tumble drying.

Caring for Specific Dot Dot Smile Dress Styles

Different dot dot smile dress styles need slightly different attention:

• Unicorn dress: The whimsical unicorn print is the star of the show — always wash inside out to protect it. This fan-favorite makes a perfect gift, and you can grab it here: dot dot smile unicorn dress.
• Ruffle dress: The delicate ruffle layers can get crushed in a crowded wash load. Hand wash or wash in a mesh laundry bag, and fluff the ruffles gently after drying. Find it here: dot dot smile ruffle dress.
• Cat dress: The adorable cat print dresses up beautifully with air drying — the fabric stays soft and snuggly wash after wash: dot dot smile cat dress.
• Empire dress: The gathered empire waist should never be wrung or wring-dried — press water out gently and lay flat to maintain the silhouette.
• Dot dot smile romper: The same rules apply! Wash cold, inside out, and air dry to keep the stretchy fabric snug and comfy.

Storage Tips to Keep Dresses Looking New

• Fold rather than hang stretchy dresses to avoid stretching the shoulders.
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade prints.
• Avoid plastic bins for long-term storage — breathable cotton bags are better.
• Between washes, spot-clean small marks instead of washing after every single wear to reduce fabric wear.

A Note on Dot Dot Smile Going Out of Business

You may have heard the news about dot dot smile going out of business. This makes proper care even more important — if you've stocked up on favorite styles, taking good care of them ensures your stash lasts as long as possible. While supplies last, you can still find deals on remaining inventory, and using a Dot Dot Smile coupon code for 10% OFF all orders is a smart way to grab beloved prints like the unicorn dress before they're gone for good.

Quick Care Cheat Sheet

Final Thoughts

A well-cared-for Dot Dot Smile dress can look just as magical on its third owner as it did on its first. With cold water, gentle cycles, pre-treated stains, and plenty of air drying, your daughter's favorite dot dot smile unicorn dress, dot dot smile ruffle dress, or dot dot smile cat dress will stay soft, bright, and twirl-ready for years to come.

And don't forget — with the current offer of 10% OFF all orders, now is a great time to add any missing styles to your collection. Check the Dot Dot Smile coupon code page before you shop!