Make Your T-Shirts Soft Again: Tricks To Transform Stiff Shirts

how to soften a stiff t shirt

There's nothing like the feel of a super-soft vintage T-shirt. But what if you don't want to wait years or wear it 200 times to get that comfy, worn-in feel? Luckily, there are several methods you can try to soften a stiff T-shirt at home.

Characteristics Values
Soak in Salt water, vinegar, or fabric softener
Soak time 7 minutes to overnight
Wash With detergent, or baking soda and vinegar
Dry Tumble dry, or air dry
Repeat Up to 5 times
Alternative methods Tennis ball, dryer balls, conditioner, fabric softener

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Soak in a saltwater solution

To soften a stiff T-shirt with a saltwater solution, you'll need a large pot, a wooden spoon or similar utensil, water, and salt.

First, fill the pot with water, leaving enough room to submerge your T-shirt. Add one cup of salt for every quart of water and stir it in. Place the pot on your stovetop and bring the saltwater solution to a rolling boil.

Once the water is boiling, turn down the heat and wet your T-shirt by running it under the sink until it's fully saturated. This step is important because a dry T-shirt will float on top of the water and be much harder to submerge.

Place your wet T-shirt in the pot of saltwater, using a wooden spoon to poke out any air bubbles and ensure the shirt is fully submerged. Cover the pot and let it sit on low heat for 30 to 45 minutes.

After 30 to 45 minutes, turn off the heat and carefully pour the contents of the pot, including the T-shirt and saltwater, into a strainer or colander. Allow the shirt to cool until you can handle it safely, then thoroughly rinse it under cool water to remove any excess salt residue.

Finally, run the shirt through a normal wash and dry cycle in your washing machine and dryer.

This saltwater method is safe to try and won't damage your shirt or washing machine. It's worth noting that the vinegar method, which involves soaking the shirt in a mixture of vinegar and water, may be more effective in softening the fabric. However, the saltwater method can make a noticeable difference in the softness of the collar, making it much softer and more flexible.

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Soak in a vinegar solution

To soften a stiff T-shirt with a vinegar solution, start by creating a mixture of vinegar and water in a large bucket. The general ratio is one-quarter of water to about half a cup of vinegar. You can also add half a cup of salt or baking soda to the mixture.

Next, submerge your T-shirt in the solution and let it soak. Ingrid Johnson, a Home Products Development professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, recommends a soak time of about seven minutes. However, some people suggest leaving the T-shirt to soak overnight for best results.

After soaking, machine-wash your T-shirt as normal with a mild detergent. Then, tumble-dry the T-shirt as usual, but be sure to remove it from the dryer before it is fully dry. Johnson advises that a bone-dry T-shirt will feel scratchy, so it is best to leave it slightly hydrated and then air-dry.

If your T-shirt is still not as soft as you would like it to be, you can repeat the process. When machine-washing, pour the salt, baking soda, or vinegar mixture into the washer before turning it on. You can repeat this process up to five times until your T-shirt reaches your desired level of softness.

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Wash with fabric softener

If you want to soften a stiff T-shirt with fabric softener, there are a few methods you can try.

Vinegar and Fabric Softener

First, create a solution of vinegar and baking soda by adding one tablespoon of baking soda to a bowl, then slowly pour in one cup of clear vinegar. Wait for the fizzing to stop, then stir the solution. Next, pour the mixture into your washing machine and add your T-shirt. Wash the shirt without detergent. For cotton fabrics, use cool water to prevent shrinking, but you can use warm water for polyester T-shirts or polyester/cotton blends. After washing, let the shirt dry, then repeat the process as needed.

Alternatively, you can wash the shirt with your regular detergent and add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. You can also add vinegar to the machine during the rinse cycle.

Saltwater and Fabric Softener

Add one cup of salt to a pot filled with water and stir until the salt dissolves. Put the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Before placing your T-shirt in the pot, soak it by running it under cool water from the sink to prevent damage. Once the shirt is in the pot, turn the heat down to a simmer and let it sit for up to 45 minutes. Remove the shirt with tongs and place it in the sink to cool, then rinse it with cool water to remove the saltwater. Wash the shirt with your normal detergent and let it dry. Repeat the process if needed or try another method.

Washing Machine and Fabric Softener

Washing your T-shirts repeatedly with a commercial fabric softener is another easy way to soften them. Simply use fabric softener in the wash cycle, then machine-wash and dry your T-shirt as usual. Fabric softener works by coating the threads of your garment with a lubricating chemical sheath, making it feel softer and less prone to wrinkling and static cling. However, some people may find fabric softener to be a skin irritant.

Other Tips

  • If you want to speed up the softening process, you can tumble dry your T-shirts. The mechanical action of tumble-drying abrades the fibers of the shirt, mimicking normal wear and tear.
  • When drying your T-shirt, avoid high heat settings. Instead, opt for air-drying or tumble-drying on low heat to maintain softness and minimize potential damage to the fabric.
  • If you need to iron your T-shirt, always use a low heat setting and place a thin cloth between the iron and the shirt to prevent scorching or damaging the print.
  • Store your T-shirt in a cool, dry place, preferably folded or hung on a padded hanger to maintain its shape.
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Tumble dry

For an extra softening boost, you can also add tennis balls or dryer balls into the tumble dryer. These balls help to agitate the fabric and further soften it during the drying process. It is recommended to use a low heat setting to avoid shrinking or damaging the T-shirt.

While tumble drying is an effective method, it may not be as successful as other softening techniques, such as using salt, baking soda, or vinegar. Additionally, it may take several attempts to achieve the desired level of softness.

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Use a dryer ball

Using dryer balls is an effective way to soften your t-shirts. This method is especially useful if you don't want to use chemical fabric softeners due to allergies or skin sensitivities. Dryer balls are also a good alternative if you want to avoid the risk of colours bleeding or designs being ruined, which can happen with other softening methods.

To use this method, first, wash your t-shirt as normal with your regular detergent. Then, place the t-shirt in the tumble dryer with a tennis ball or dryer balls. Set the dryer to low heat to avoid shrinkage and potential damage to the t-shirt. Keep in mind that this method may need to be repeated several times to achieve the desired level of softness.

While using dryer balls is a good option, it may not be as effective as other softening techniques, such as the salt, baking soda, or vinegar method. Additionally, it may not be suitable for all fabric types.

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