T-shirts are such a comfortable and versatile clothing staple. It’s the go-to item people wear on their torsos. With that in mind, we want to keep our favorite shirts looking fresh and get them to last longer. People all-too-often underestimate the way proper care techniques factor into that. From selecting the right fabric to washing, drying, and handling our t-shirts, every step plays a role in preserving the quality and appearance of your favorite tees. That’s exactly what we’re going to be getting into today.
Hierarchy of Fabrics
All t-shirts are not created equal and certain materials flatter a t shirt mockup more than others, but everyone has their own individual needs for their shirt. Understanding the characteristics of different fabrics can help you choose the best materials for your needs and ensure your t-shirts stay in great condition for years to come. They vary in a breadth of characteristics, including:
- quality
- softness
- durability
- care requirements
Pima cotton and Supima cotton
These are the pinnacle of t-shirt quality, prized for their extra-long staple fibers. THese materials are luxuriously soft, highly durable, and resistant to pilling. They make for a refined finish and maintain their shape and color after being washed over and over. They offer the utmost comfort and longevity.
Silk blends and modal
Silk is exceptionally soft and delicate, adding a touch of luxury with its smooth texture and beautiful drape. They do have to be handled carefully though to avoid snags or discoloration. Modal, derived from beech tree pulp, has a similar feel, moisture-wicking properties, and a lightweight structure. Despite the higher demands to preserve them, they are elegant and considered to be worth the trouble.
Organic cotton
This provides a nice balance between softness and resilience. It’s grown without the use of any harmful chemicals, is very breathable, and has a natural softness to the skin. It’s also beloved by consumer of green products as it’s manufactured in an eco-friendly process.
Combed cotton and ring-spun cotton
Combed cotton is medium range in both softness and durability. It undergoes a process to remove impurities and short fibers, resulting in a smoother, stronger fabric.Ring-spun cotton features the same decent level of softness and robustness.
Cotton-polyester blends
Versatile and durable, these provide practicality without sacrificing too much comfort. These are wrinkle-resistant, shrink-resistant, and are often more affordable as well. For that reason, they are popular for casual and athletic T-shirts. They may not be as luxurious, but they excel in care and durability.
Polyester
T-shirts made of polyester alone are highly practical but more basic. These are known for strength, moisture-wicking, and resistance to wrinkling and shrinking. It’s a popular material for sportswear. It’s not particularly soft but on the flipside their reliability renders them better for outdoor exercise.
Washing methods
Choose the appropriate method for washing your tees is oh-so-important, as oftentimes, the wash room is where t-shirts go to “die”. It’s how you preserve their fit, quality, color, longevity, integrity, and how you prevent premature wear as well. Here’s how to know which washing method to use for your t-shirt.
Cold machine washing
For the majority of t-shirts, machine washing is the most convenient method which makes the most sense. However, the setting you use makes all the difference. You can always check the label to see the washing temperature and cycle that suits the fabric best. As a rule of thumb, cold water, is the way to go with most t-shirts. This will prevent fading, shrinkage, and damage occurring to the fibers. This is also more eco-friendly as it minimizes energy usage.
This method will also typically work when it comes to sturdier fabrics like pima cotton, combed cotton, or ring-spun cotton. As these fabrics are more resilient, they can handle the agitation of a regular cycle and still maintain their shape and softness.
Hand-washing or gentle washing
These are the options to use when it comes to silk blends or model. In this case, you can gently agitate the fabric without causing any stretching or excess friction to it. If you go ahead and machine wash those delicate materials anyway, use a laundry bag to protect them from rougher fabrics or zippers that may cause snags.
This is also not a bad idea for sturdy fabrics, if you wish to have extra protection. If your T-shirt has graphic prints or embellishments though, this is the best way to go.
Warm machine washing
The washing process is easier on any clothing that contains or is fully polyester. These are resistant to shrinking and fading, so cold or warm water is fine to wash them in. That said, using high temperatures leads to fabric wearing over time eventually, so gentler and colder is still the route that favors the most longevity and quality preservation. Though, as GE Appliances details, in hotter climates, warmer water may be necessary to get a stain out.
Stain removal
If you have a stain to remove on your tee, it’s best to treat them before throwing them in the washing machine. Use an enzyme-based stain remover or pre-treatment product. These effectively break down proteins, oils, and other organic substances without causing damage.
- Apply a mild stain remover.
- Let it sit for a few minutes to break down the stain before washing it.
- For more stubborn stains, pre-soak the t-shirt in a solution of cold water and gentle detergent.
- Allow it to soak for 15-30 minutes before machine washing.
For delicate fabrics like silk or model, use a gentler, non-bio stain remover.
Using the right detergent
Do not underestimate the importance of using the right detergent. This will affect how well it preserves.
- liquid detergents: mild, color-safe detergents are ideal for low-quality cotton as they also protect the color from fading. As for polyester and cotton-polyester blends, you can use regular detergent. It’s best to avoid those containing bleach or strong chemicals.
- delicate detergent: this is necessary for pima cotton, silk, and modal as their luxurious feel requires extra attention. Silkpedia recommended this specific detergent as one they’ve time-tested.
- detergent formulated for color protection: if you’re concerned about color fading or yellowing, you can use this. They also maintain the vibrancy of your tees, especially if they’re darker or brightly colored.
- Oxygen bleach: good for white or light-colored t-shirts to brighten them without resorting to harsh chlorine bleach.
Drying Techniques
Tempting as it is to just throw your t-shirt in the dryer as a quick and easy solution, different fabrics have different needs for their longevity and protection.
Cotton t-shirts
It’s best to air dry them whenever possible. Hanging them on a clothesline or laying them flat on a rack helps them maintain their shape and prevent them from shrinking. If you choose to use a dryer, opt for low-heat or a delicate setting to minimize shrinkage. Overdrying cotton tees can also lead to the fabrics growing stiff or brittle over time.
Delicate fabrics
Always air-dry these to prevent damage. Lay them flat rather than hanging them as this will stretch them. They’re especially sensitive to heat too, so if you throw them in the dryer, definitely avoid the high-temperature setting.
Synthetic fabrics
Using the dryer is fine but it’s best to use a low to medium heat setting.
Sun drying
This is a natural method that works well with cotton and polyester fabrics but it’s not advisable for darker or brightly colored t-shirts, as prolonged exposure brightens them and may cause them to fade.
