How To Extend The Life Of Your T-Shirt

T-shirt Washing Instructions
Keeping your t-shirt in tip top condition will not only make you look great, but will save you money as well.

Make sure you read the care instruction on the t-shirt label, and if you have a digital print on your t-shirt make sure to follow the instruction that you received in your t-shirt order. This is the best way to look after your tee.

So how do you extend the life of your t-shirt? Here are a few must do's, before you put your t-shirt in the wash.

Read the washing instructions
Read the care instruction on the label of the t-shirt. By law all garments must have these instructions sewn into the garment. They should be easy to find, generally under or on the neck label, or sewn into the side seam of most t-shirts.

They will have things like, where the t-shirt is made, what the t-shirt is made from, general wash instructions and what not to do with your t-shirt, like tumble drying.

What is the t-shirt made from?
Most t-shirts we print are 100% Cotton. We do supply some that are a Polyester/Cotton Blend. Polyester is used for sports tops and for quick dry garments. These are the most common ingredients our t-shirts will be made from.

Wash t-shirts inside out
This is the most important process you can do to preserve the life of your t-shirt. Turn the shirt inside out before placing it in the washing machine. Most often, when you take off the t-shirt after wearing, it just ends up inside out anyway, so just leave it that way when it goes in the wash.

Cold machine wash
A cold or warm wash is not a hot wash. Hot water is NOT recommended for most t-shirts. Warm or tepid at best. In Australia we have a relatively warm climate, so our tap water is considered warm. Just using the cold wash cycle will be the best to keep the design looking better for longer.

Wash with like colours
Never wash blacks, reds or any darks colours with your white t-shirts. It is best to wash all the similar colours together, as the dye will slowly release out of the t-shirt over time through washing. Wash only whites together. Wash reds together. And wash your darks together.

Do not tumble dry
This will shrink most cotton t-shirts. Mostly, all styles recommend you do not tumble dry.

Hang out to dry
Just hang it out to dry, leave it inside out until it’s dry. Hang it out immediately, don’t leave it in the washing machine for an extended period of time. If you are hanging outside in the sun, make sure it’s inside out. The sun will bleach clothes and hanging inside out will protect the side that you wear (and the print) from sun damage.

Iron Inside Out
Through this whole process the t- shirt is inside out. Leave it that way when you iron the t-shirt. Most prints should not be ironed on directly as this will damage the print. You can place a cloth or a piece of baking paper over the print, but it is recommended that you iron all prints inside out. A medium to hot iron is great for 100% cottons, but, polyester and poly/cotton blends should have a lower temperature.

Do Not Dry Clean
Do not dry clean t-shirts; it’s not the right material.