How to Care for Printed T-Shirts

To prolong the life of your favorite printed clothing there are several best practices you should follow. You may not be able to do every one of the following, but even a few will help prolong the life and quality of your t-shirts.

Hand Wash or Delicate Cycle

It's always best to hand wash your shirts gently so as not to damage the print. Washing machines can be rough and cause damage and fading to the print over time. If you must use a washing machine, be sure to use the delicate setting. The agitation on this cycle is much milder than a normal wash or heavy cycle.

Turn Inside out Before Washing

If you have to use a washing machine, it's best to turn your shirts inside out, similar to a nice pair of jeans. By turning your shirts inside out, the printed surface is less exposed to the surfaces of your machine as well as other articles of clothing that are being washed alongside it. This step is often forgotten but should be made into a normal washing habit, as it can significantly increase the lifetime of the print.

Avoid Bleach and Fabric Softeners

Bleach may help brighten lighter fabrics, but it is a harsh chemical that damages fibers over time and directly fades your print. This can cause cracks or fading that might not otherwise occur. Fabric softeners on the other hand tend to leave residues on the surface of the print, causing the colors to look off. This can be more noticeable depending on the light source. Just stick with mild detergents.

Cold Water Only

Cold water is much friendlier to printed fabrics. Hot and warm water can cause dyes from the print to run out much more easily and at a surprisingly rapid rate. Hot water can also cause the fabric to shrink, even in preshrunk shirts. Cold water with mild detergents are good enough for normal washing.

Avoid the Dryer

Dryers are definitely a great convenance in modern society, they do however have a potentially negative effect on our clothing. The excessive heat can and will shrink even preshrunk fabrics. They also damage prints with prolonged use. If you must use a dryer, it's always best to use the lowest setting possible. The better solution is to hang dry your printed shirts for maximum life cycle.

Conclusion

These 5 tips will greatly improve the time you are able to enjoy your clothing and save you money in the long run by cutting down on the overall wear and tear. Thanks for reading.