T-shirts may not be as expensive as more formal clothing, but they are just as valuable to those who appreciate them. Graphic tees are especially valuable simply because artwork tends to wear off over time. That being said, did you know that how you launder your t-shirts matters?
Machine washing subjects clothing to a lot of stress. Older machines rely on a mechanical agitator to loosen dirt and grime so that the water can carry it away. Newer machines do not necessarily have separate agitators. They are designed to take advantage of the clothing, moving it around so that each piece becomes an agitator by itself.
Regardless of the style of your washing machine, here are three laundering tips guaranteed to preserve your t-shirts for a longer time. They are offered by Umai, a brand that specializes in anime t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies.
Launder in Cold Water
Modern t-shirts are more likely to be printed using direct-to-garment (DTG) technology. For all intents and purposes, they are printed with advanced inkjet printers and textile-friendly inks. There is only one problem with DTG: the inks more easily fade and bleed in hot water. To launder your t-shirts in cold.
For the record, even silk-screened t-shirts and those with heat-applied graphics do better in cold water. Your best bet is just to stay away from hot water laundering entirely. It is just not good for t-shirts.
Use a Mild Detergent
Hand-in-hand with cold water is mild detergent. Unfortunately for graphic t-shirts, detergent manufacturers have gradually improved their products over the years. Today, you can get some pretty powerful detergents capable of knocking the ink out of t-shirts that have already been through the laundry a few times.
A mild detergent is a better option. Find one designed to be used on delicate clothes. Avoid high-performance detergents advertised as capable of removing just about any stain you could encounter. The more aggressive a detergent is the more likely it is to wash out the ink in your t-shirts.
Launder T-shirts Inside Out
This final tip is meant to combat the destructive nature of agitation. Before discussing that however, you need to know that agitating clothes in a washing machine is necessary. Without agitation, dirt doesn’t come out so easily. You end up with clothes that are just as dirty as they were when you started.
Despite agitation being necessary, it can be harmful to graphic t-shirts. The friction between said graphics and the agitator and/or other clothing wears away images. The process is similar to erosion. So anything you can do to cut down on the friction helps. That includes laundering t-shirts inside out.
Laundering inside out doesn’t completely eliminate friction. However, it does reduce friction significantly. Launder your t-shirts inside out and you will discover that they last longer. Images and text will look better for longer, too.
Bonus Tips
Washing in cold water, using a mild detergent, and laundering t-shirts inside out will preserve them for a longer. Yet there are a few more things you can do, as evidenced by these bonus tips:
- Never wash t-shirts with bleach
- Make use of stain removers
- Use a medium load setting on the dryer.
T-shirts are not necessarily delicate. But they also aren’t as tough as denim jackets or Carhartts. If you want them to last a long time, you have to take care of them. Proper care starts with proper laundering. The right laundering techniques will guarantee maximum life and enjoyment. Best of all, proper laundering does not require too much extra effort.
