T-shirts have been vogue since times immemorial. If there is a piece of fashion that is both comfortable and stylish then that is a t-shirt. T-shirts also serve as a means of expression of inner thoughts and ideologies through different designs and prints. T-shirts with prints require extra care and attention when it comes to doing laundry. Improper techniques of washing and drying printed t-shirts can cause cracking, fading, and peeling of the prints reducing the longevity of the t-shirts. Read on to know more about the preservation of printed t-shirts by maintaining the integrity and vibrancy of the fabric and the print.
Laundry care tips for printed t-shirts:
#1 – Assess the type of print on the t-shirt:
Assess the category of print on the t-shirt before tossing the printed t-shirt into a washing machine. It is crucial to examine the type of t-shirt print as different kinds of t-shirt prints have different cleaning requirements. T-shirts may be screen printed, heat transfer printed, sublimation printed, and Direct to Garment (DTG) printed. Screen printed t-shirts are highly durable. However, exposure of screen printed t-shirts to excessive heat or coarse washing can lead to the appearance of cracks in the printed design. Heat transfer-printed t-shirts tend to peel and crack upon exposure to harsh chemicals, abrasive detergent, and high temperatures during the cleaning session. For t-shirts with sublimation-printed designs, it is best to go for detergents and chemicals that are not too harsh as that might cause fading of the design. T-shirts with DTG-printed design may be cleaned with a mild detergent soap in lukewarm water.
#2 – Prewashing requisite for printed t-shirts:
Prior to washing your printed tee, you need to read the instruction label of the t-shirt carefully. All printed t-shirts come with an instruction label that provides laundry instructions specific to the print and the type of fabric. After reading the instructions remember to flip the t-shirt inside out to protect the printed design against agitation and scrubbing during the washing cycle. If there are stains on the t-shirt, then it is recommended to perform spot treatment immediately with a mild detergent soap or stain removal chemicals before washing the t-shirt. Do not use harsh chemical solvents or bleaching agents as such chemicals may damage the quality of fabric and the vibrancy of the print.
#3 – Guidelines for washing the printed t-shirt:
Laundering printed T-shirts with the right washing techniques is essential for maintaining the vibrant prints and quality of fabric of the t-shirts. Set the water to the right temperature for washing the printed t-shirt. Make sure that the water is either lukewarm or cold. Washing the t-shirts in hot water can cause breakdown of the ink in the printed design leading to cracking and fading of the print. Do not forget to select a mild detergent powder for washing t-shirts with printed designs as harsh soaps tend to weaken the ink in the prints causing the printed design to deteriorate.
For washing the printed T-shirt in a washing machine, it is recommended to set the spinning speed at a low level to prevent excessive agitation of the t-shirt inside the washing machine. In fact, for printed t-shirts, hand washing is highly suitable if the fabric and the print are delicate in nature. Do not wash printed t-shirts with heavy duty fabric such as denims or bed linen. Remember to wash similar clothes and fabrics together to prevent rough agitation of the fabric of the printed T-shirts. Never overload the washing machine and make sure that there is enough space inside the machine for the t-shirts to move around freely during the washing cycle. For washing t-shirts, it is best to reach out to a platform that offers clothes washing services.
If your t-shirt is not suitable for washing with water, then you may consider drycleaning your t-shirt by reaching out to a drycleaning service platform.
Drying and Ironing Guidelines For Printed T-shirts:
#1 – Guidelines for drying printed t-shirts
For T-shirts with prints, air drying is the safest, especially for preservation of the printed design. Make sure not to expose the printed t-shirt to mechanical stress and excessive heat as these factors tend to make the printed design fade over time. Lay out the t-shirt on a flat surface or hang the t-shirt on a clothesline in a well-ventilated area for drying the t-shirt. Make sure that the t-shirt is not exposed to the direct heat and light of the sun as that can cause peeling of the printed design.
Dry the t-shirt indoors or in the shade for drying it out completely. Avoid using a tumble dryer for drying printed t-shirts as the dry heat generated by the machine can cause shrinkage of the t-shirt and deterioration of the quality of the prints. However, if you have no choice but you then set the machine to a delicate mode to dry the t-shirt in the lowest heat possible.
#2 – Ironing guidelines for printed t-shirts
Ironing a printed t-shirt directly with an iron can cause the printed design to melt and crack. For ironing, turn the t-shirt inside out, place a plain cotton cloth on the t-shirt and then iron the cotton cloth to prevent direct exposure to the heat. Store the t-shirts in a well-ventilated wardrobe and remember to wash the t-shirts regularly.
Conclusion:
Clean your t-shirts regularly to preserve the colours and quality of the printed designs. If you are unable to clean your t-shirts at home, then you may reach out to Hello Laundry for help. Hello Laundry offers washing, dry cleaning, and ironing service at affordable prices. Sign up with Hello Laundry today for your daily laundry needs.
