Best Practices for Taking Care of Your Printed T-shirts
Printed T-shirts are a must in every wardrobe. They are ideal for casual outings, lazy weekends when you want to hang out with friends, or special events with family and friends. However, if you’re going to wear your screen printed tees for a long time and keep them looking new and vibrant, you must take good care of them.
Here are tips to help you take care of your printed t-shirts.
1. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners.
Of course, you will always wash your printed t-shirts. But when doing that, you should avoid using bleach and fabric softeners. Bleach can cause the print to fade, while fabric softeners can leave residues that could affect the print quality. So, it is advisable to use a mild, eco-friendly detergent that is gentle on both the fabric and the print.
2. Turn your t-shirt inside out before washing.
Turning printed T-shirts inside out before washing them is another incredible tip. Although most people ignore it, this procedure keeps your printed T-shirts looking good. If the shirts are turned inside before being washed, the print will be less worn down by rubbing against surfaces and other garments during the washing cycle. Your printed T-shirts will look better for longer if you do this easy step, which can significantly extend their lifespan.
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3. Use cold water
Use warm water for a complete wash, but for printed T-shirts, use cold water. Hot water might cause print fading and even fabric shrinkage. While cleaning the T-shirt, cold water helps maintain the print and overall quality.
4. Hand-wash the t-shirt if possible
Hand washing is the most gentle method of cleaning printed T-shirts, which prolongs the vibrancy of the colours and designs. Use a mild detergent and cold water and then rinse with running water.
To preserve the print, turn your T-shirt inside out. Then, immerse it in the water and gently shake it with your hands. And avoid wringing the fabric. To let the T-shirt air dry, lay it flat on a sanitized surface, like a towel.
5. Avoid dryers at all costs.
Although dryers save us a lot of time, they are especially bad for t-shirts and their prints. Heat is usually harmful for prints. They cause t-shirt prints to break or peel, and they shrink clothing and t-shirts, particularly cotton ones. The ideal option is to hang dry your garments the old-fashioned way.
6. Wash similar clothes together.
Sorting similar clothing together is one of the best strategies to prevent damage to your printed T-shirts during washing. This will ensure that your printed T-shirts won’t get snagged or worn down by clothing items with buttons or zippers. Additionally, washing your t-shirts with clothing that is similar in color reduces color bleeding and maintains the vibrancy of the graphics on your t-shirts.
7. Iron on low heat
Even though everyone wants their clothes to be wrinkle-free, improper ironing can ruin the design of printed T-shirts. When ironing printed T-shirts, use low heat to prevent accidents. To preserve the print, you should also flip the shirt inside out before ironing. To add a layer of protection, sandwich your shirt between the iron and a small piece of parchment paper or fabric.
8. Store your printed t-shirt properly.
Hanging your printed T-shirts might stretch the fabric and distort the prints, so store them flat. To prevent mold or mildew growth, ensure the space where you keep your t-shirts is dry, clean, and well-ventilated. Additionally, the colors and patterns will last longer if you store your t-shirts in a box or drawer out of direct sunlight.
