Effective Ways To Remove Stains From Screen-Printed T-Shirts

Screen-printed T-shirts require extra care to ensure they retain their quality. When cleaning, it's important to turn them inside out, wash with similar fabrics, use cold water, and avoid machine drying. Heat can damage the design, so it's best to hang T-shirts in the shade to dry and avoid using an iron. If you need to remove screen printing, there are several methods, including using an iron, solvents like nail polish remover, or a plastisol remover.

Wash inside out

To preserve the quality of your screen-printed T-shirts, it is recommended to turn them inside out before washing. This is because the printed logo is delicate and susceptible to damage from water and friction with other garments. Turning the T-shirt inside out helps to prevent colours from fading too quickly.

Washing T-shirts inside out also helps to prevent "pilling", which is caused by the friction and agitation of the washing machine. By turning the T-shirt inside out, you protect the outside of the garment from this agitation, maintaining its smooth appearance. This is especially important for screen-printed T-shirts, as the ink layer can be easily rubbed off by rougher materials.

In addition to protecting the print, washing T-shirts inside out can also prevent colour bleeding. Dark or vibrantly dyed fabrics tend to bleed during the wash, and hot water temperatures can further aggravate this issue. By turning the T-shirt inside out, you reduce the risk of colour bleeding onto other garments in the wash.

Washing T-shirts inside out also helps to protect any decorative designs or embellishments, such as rhinestones or embroidery. These elements are sensitive to the friction and agitation of the wash cycle, and turning the garment inside out provides an extra layer of protection, helping them to look new for longer.

Finally, washing T-shirts inside out can improve the removal of sweat stains and odours. By turning the garment inside out, you ensure that these stains come into direct contact with the detergent, allowing for a more thorough clean. This is especially beneficial for items that frequently come into contact with sweat and body odour, such as sports bras, leggings, and sweat socks.

Wash with similar fabrics

To preserve the quality of your screen-printed T-shirts, it is important to wash them with similar fabrics. This is because fabrics made from rougher materials can easily scrape off the layer of ink on your screen-printed T-shirt. By washing your screen-printed T-shirts with similar fabrics, you can prevent the ink layer from being rubbed off, thereby prolonging the life of your T-shirts.

When washing your screen-printed T-shirts, separate them by colour, weight, and texture. Wash whites only with other whites, and avoid washing heavy fabrics like towels and heavy denim with printed garments. By separating your laundry in this way, you can avoid overfilling the washer, which can cause your T-shirts to rub against each other and lead to pilling, fading, or print damage.

It is also important to use the right type of water when washing your screen-printed T-shirts. Cold water is the best option, as hot water can slowly undo the application of ink and cause it to distill. Not only will cold water help preserve the quality of your T-shirts, but it will also save you money on electricity.

In addition to using cold water, it is recommended to turn your screen-printed T-shirts inside out before placing them into the wash. This will prevent the colours from fading too quickly, as the printed logo is delicate and can be affected by water. Turning your T-shirts inside out will also help to protect the print from rubbing against other clothes, keeping it looking fresher for longer.

By following these simple steps, you can effectively wash your screen-printed T-shirts with similar fabrics and maintain their quality and durability.

Use cold water

When it comes to washing screen-printed t-shirts, using cold water is essential to preserving the quality of the print and fabric. Here's why:

Protecting the Print

The application of ink used in screen printing is vulnerable to hot water, which can slowly undo the ink and cause it to fade or crack. Cold water does not have this effect. It helps to maintain the integrity of the print, ensuring that it doesn't fade, crack, or peel. This is because heat can weaken the bond between the ink and the fabric, making it easier for the ink to lift and come off during the washing process. By using cold water, you're minimising this risk and prolonging the life of your screen-printed t-shirt.

Fabric Care

Using cold water is also beneficial for the fabric itself. Hot water can be harsh on certain fabrics, causing them to shrink or become damaged over time. This is especially true for delicate fabrics or those that are prone to shrinking, such as cotton. By opting for cold water, you're being gentle on the fabric and reducing the chances of any unwanted changes to its texture or size. This is also true when it comes to drying your screen-printed t-shirts – air drying in a cool, shaded area is recommended to avoid the damaging effects of heat.

Energy Efficiency

In addition to protecting your t-shirts, using cold water is also a more energy-efficient option. It requires less energy to heat cold water, which translates to savings on your electricity bill. This makes it a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice.

Washing Instructions

When it comes to washing your screen-printed t-shirts, always refer to the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. In general, it is recommended to turn the t-shirts inside out before washing to protect the print. Use a mild detergent and set your washing machine to a gentle cycle with cold water. If hand washing, follow a similar process by soaking the t-shirt in cold water and detergent, then gently agitating the fabric. Rinse thoroughly with cold water, gently squeeze out the excess water, and air dry.

Hang dry in the shade

When it comes to drying your screen-printed T-shirts, it's best to avoid using a machine dryer. The heat from the dryer can cause the design or logo on your T-shirt to fade, distort, or even be removed. Instead, opt for air-drying by hanging your T-shirts up.

However, it's not just the heat you need to be mindful of. Direct sunlight can also be a major cause of degradation for screen-printed T-shirts. The sun's rays can slowly cause the colours to fade and the fabric to weaken. Therefore, it's important to always hang your T-shirts in the shade to dry.

If you're using a hanger, choose a thick, rounded plastic hanger rather than wire hangers or clothespins. These can leave pointy shapes in the shoulder areas of your T-shirt as it dries.

If you want to speed up the drying process, you can place your T-shirts outside in the shade, but not in direct sunlight, or in front of a fan.

By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, you can effectively hang-dry your screen-printed T-shirts in the shade, ensuring they last for years to come.

Iron inside out

Ironing a T-shirt is a delicate process, and if you're not careful, you can end up scorching your garment. To avoid this, it's best to iron your T-shirts inside out.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to iron a T-shirt inside out:

• Prepare your T-shirt: Start with a freshly laundered T-shirt. Shake it out, smooth it with your hands, and hang it on a hanger. Button the top button.
• Fill your iron with water: Use filtered tap water or a mix of tap water and distilled water in a 50/50 ratio. Check your iron's manufacturer guidelines, as some irons are safe to use with unfiltered tap water or distilled water.
• Set the iron temperature: Allow the iron to reach the proper temperature. A slightly cooler setting than the hot setting for cotton is recommended to avoid burning the fabric.
• Spray on starch (optional): Lightly spray the hanging shirt with sizing or spray starch, then remove it from the hanger and unbutton the top button.
• Place the T-shirt on the ironing board: Fit the shirt onto the ironing board as if you were putting it on a person. Ensure the fabric lies flat but is not stretched.
• Smooth out wrinkles: Use your hands to smooth out any major wrinkles and ensure the T-shirt is as flat as possible.
• Iron the shirt: The trick to ironing a T-shirt, or any knit fabric, is to avoid moving the iron in a circular or arced motion. Instead, press the iron to one spot and do not move it around while it's in contact with the fabric. Knit fabrics can easily stretch if you push and pull the fabric while the iron is hot.
• Rotate and continue ironing: Rotate the T-shirt and continue ironing until the entire shirt is done.
• Lay the shirt flat: Lay the shirt as flat as possible until it cools down, ensuring all wrinkles are smoothed out.
• Fold or hang the shirt: Once the shirt is cool, fold it or hang it up to prevent wrinkles from forming before you wear it.

Remember, always check the care label of your T-shirt before ironing and avoid direct contact between the iron and any screen prints or designs on your T-shirt.

Frequently asked questions