How to Wash and Dry Custom Shirt(s)?
If you've invested the time and money into getting custom t-shirts made, you'll want them looking and feeling great in the long run. It's important to take the proper steps to ensure that you are correctly washing them. It may seem like a complicated process, but these simple steps will help you. Your custom t-shirts will last with this simple method.
Give Them Special Treatment
It's definitely tempting to just throw your custom t-shirts in with the rest of your wash and have them run through the standard settings on your washing machine. But if you want these pieces to last, it's best to give them the special treatment they need.
If you can, hand washing is the ultimate way by which you can preserve your custom printed t-shirts. To hand wash them, first turn the shirt inside out. Then mix cold water and a mild detergent in a small tub, then let the shirt soak in the mixture for at least 10 minutes. Then agitate the shirt for a few minutes, rinse, and hang it up to air dry.
However, hand washing can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Luckily, you can throw your custom t-shirts into the washer and dryer as long as you take the proper precautions.
How to Machine Wash your T-shirts
Turn the garment inside out. This gives the design an extra layer of protection when it's getting washed. The design won't rub up against any other garments or pieces of fabric when it's turned inside out.
Pre-treat areas with a stain remover. If you have a stain or a discoloration, add a stain removing product like Oxyclean or even dish soap to the affected area.
Gently agitate the stains. Use a clean washcloth to gently buff the stains. Do not use anything too abrasive like a brush as this could damage the design or fabric. Rubbing the fabric against itself also works if you don't have a cloth. After buffing the stain, let sit for 10 minutes before moving it into the washing machine.
Separate similar colors and textures. Throwing your t-shirts in with other colored apparel can discolor your garment. Make sure if it is a white t-shirt that you only wash it with other white-colored garments. Different textured fabrics like towels or jeans could also damage your shirt and its design in the wash.
Use cold water, mild detergent, and a gentle cycle. Detergents that are "green" can be too harsh for your custom shirts. You should also avoid bleach and fabric softeners. Using cold water prevents the garment from shrinking and prevents the design from coming undone from the shirt. Use a gentle cycle to minimize the amount of aggravation the shirt might undergo.
Drying and Other Care.
It is always best to hand dry your custom t-shirts if you can. This is the best method if you want to avoid shrinking or damage. Place the shirts on a hangar or a drying rack
If you have to use a dryer, you need to avoid using high heat. Stick with tumble dry or low heat. Like when you wash it, it is best to turn the garment inside out and separate it from different textures.
It is also important to never dry clean your custom t-shirts and do not iron directly on a heat transfer design. Both these methods could seriously damage the design.
If you take these necessary steps every time you wash your custom t-shirts, you have them lasting and looking great for a long time.