By: PR Fueled

Brands make shirts that last. Some are tailor-made to fit you perfectly, using premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Brands do this to make you buy less and get more out of your current purchases. 

However, are you aware of anything that you can do to extend the life of your shirts? Shirt maintenance doesn’t end with purchasing. Be very careful to follow the washing care and label directions to the letter. If you want your favorite shirts to last long, here are some things we’ve learned.

Decrease The Frequency of Washing

Keep it simple. That is undoubtedly sound advice when it comes to laundry. If you want your 100% cotton shirt to last as long as possible and look great doing it, wash it only when absolutely necessary.

Despite the resilience of high-quality cotton, your shirt will age and fade more quickly with each wash since you are stressing the natural fibers. So, if you want your favorite shirt to last as long as possible, one of the best things you can do is wash it less often.

Less washing is one way to lessen one’s individual water consumption and carbon footprint, both of which have an effect on the environment. Westerners tend to wash their clothes more out of habit than necessity rather than real dirtiness.

Use Towels of Coordinating Colors

All white everything! If you want your summer tees to stay white all summer, wash lighter colors together. This can keep a white shirt from turning gray or getting colored (think pink). It is usually safe to wash darker colors together in the washing machine, particularly if they have been washed before.

Another way to get the most out of your washing machine is to sort your clothes by fabric type. For example, a delicate summer tee may require a different cycle than a sports or workplace shirt. The care label on a new item of clothing is a great resource for finding out how to wash it. And, when it comes to your patriotic t-shirts, you must be careful with their multiple colors. 

Rinse with Cold Water

Too much heat in the washing machine can cause a 100% cotton shirt to shrink. Finding the sweet spot between washing temperature and successful cleaning is crucial since it is obvious that detergents perform better at higher temperatures. While most dark-colored shirts can be cleaned on a cold cycle, some white shirts are washed at 30 degrees.

Wash your white shirt at 30 or 40 degrees to keep it looking crisp longer and lessen the likelihood of any unwelcome coloration, such as yellowish stains under the armpits.

Turn the Garment Inside Out Before Washing and Drying

When you wash your shirts “inside out”, the inevitable wear and tear will only occur on the inside of the garment, protecting the outside from visible damage. As a result, natural cotton is less likely to exhibit undesirable fuzzy qualities and pilling.

To dry shirts properly, turn them inside out as well. Thus, any possible fading will occur on the inside of the garment rather than the outside, preserving the latter from damage.

Apply the Correct Quantity of Detergent

More eco-friendly detergents made from natural materials are available now; these products avoid using chemical (oil-based) chemicals.

Remember that any detergent, no matter how “green”, will eventually end up in the wastewater system and that using too much of even the eco-friendly detergents can ruin your clothing. You can’t get your clothing cleaner by using extra detergent because there isn’t a completely eco-friendly choice.

Avoid Using a Tumble Dryer

The drying process is the most common cause of the inherent shrinkage that affects all cotton items. Avoiding using a tumble dryer and opting to air-dry instead can lessen the likelihood of shrinkage. Although tumble drying can be a time saver, hanging a shirt to dry is the way to go.

Keep clothes out of direct sunshine to keep colors from fading too quickly while air-drying. As previously stated, items made of 100% cotton typically dislike being exposed to high temperatures. Hanging delicate cotton garments over a rail can help prevent creases and unnecessary straining.

Use the Reverse Ironing Board

Cotton shirts can range from very wrinkle-prone to hardly wrinkle-prone, depending on the weave. Handling them carefully is one way to reduce the likelihood of creasing when removing shirts from the washing machine. In addition, you can gently shake or stretch each item of clothing to restore its original shape.

Be careful not to stretch the neckline or shoulders too much, as this could cause the shirt to lose shape. If your washing machine has a “reduce creases” preset, use it to avoid wrinkles. 

Properly Hang Shirts

The best way to store your shirts is to fold and lay them flat. The perfect shirt’s single Jersey knit and other knitted fabrics may stretch after being hung for an extended period of time.

If you prefer to hang your shirts using wide hangers, this will help disperse the weight more evenly. When hanging shirts, start at the bottom of the garment to avoid pulling on the neckline.

Get Rid of Spots Right Away

If your shirt has a stain in an unexpected place, the first and foremost rule is to cure the stain right away. Because natural fibers like cotton and linen soak up liquids like tomato sauce and red wine, the sooner you remove the stain, the easier it will be to remove it completely from the garment.

In the End 

You can’t get the most out of your favorite clothes, including shirts, unless you know how to properly care for them. If you follow these easy steps, your shirts will last for years to come and look and feel great. Carefully attending to each step—from sorting and washing to drying and storing—is essential for maintaining the quality of your shirts. Thus, what are you waiting for? If you start using these methods, your shirts will last for years.

Published by: Khy Talara