Washing Graphic Tees: A Step-By-Step Guide To Perfection

Graphic t-shirts are unique and tell a story, but they don't last forever. To keep your favourite graphic tee in good condition, it's important to take care of it. The best way to wash graphic t-shirts is by hand, turning them inside out, mixing cold water and a mild detergent in a small tub, letting them soak for 10 minutes or more, then gently agitating for a few minutes, rinsing, and letting them air dry. If you're using a washing machine, turn the t-shirt inside out, use a gentle setting, and wash with cold water.

Wash the shirt inside out

To ensure the longevity of your graphic t-shirts, it is imperative to wash them inside out. This simple step can significantly reduce the amount of friction between the shirt's fabric and the rest of your laundry, minimising the chances of the ink flaking, peeling, or cracking. By turning the shirt inside out, you expose the inner layer, making it easier to wash away dirt and sweat. This method also helps preserve the vibrancy of the colours, as they face less friction and subsequently, less damage during the wash cycle.

Washing graphic t-shirts inside out is particularly beneficial for screen-printed designs. The ink used in screen printing is fixed into the shirt's fibres, resulting in a durable and high-quality print. However, this doesn't make them immune to damage from friction. By turning them inside out, you reduce the chances of the print rubbing against other garments, thereby preserving the artwork.

The practice of washing graphic t-shirts inside out is not just beneficial during the wash cycle but also extends to the drying process. If you choose to machine dry your t-shirts, turning them inside out helps prevent the print from rubbing against other garments. This simple step can make a significant difference in maintaining the quality of your graphic t-shirts.

Additionally, when hanging your graphic t-shirts to air dry, it is advisable to turn them inside out as well. This practice helps protect the print from direct sunlight, which can cause distortion and damage to the ink, leading to premature cracking.

In summary, washing your graphic t-shirts inside out is a simple yet effective way to reduce friction, preserve the print quality, minimise colour fading, and effectively remove dirt and sweat. This method is especially beneficial for screen-printed designs and should be coupled with air drying, preferably away from direct sunlight, to ensure the longevity of your graphic t-shirts.

Use cold water

Using cold water to wash your graphic t-shirt is a great way to preserve the life of your garment. Firstly, cold water is better for the environment and your wallet. Heating water uses a lot of energy, so by using cold water, you can reduce your energy usage and save money on your bills.

Secondly, cold water is better for your t-shirt's graphics. Heat breaks down the fibres in your t-shirt and the graphics, causing colours to fade and the ink to flake or loosen. Using cold water will help preserve the colours and graphics, and prevent cracking and peeling.

Thirdly, cold water is less likely to cause shrinkage. As heat causes fabric fibres to shrink, using cold water is a good way to prevent this.

Finally, cold water is better for delicate fabrics. Delicate fabrics such as rayon, rayon blends, wool, or silk can be ruined by hot water, which can shrink or break the fibres. Cold water is a safer option for these fabrics.

In summary, using cold water to wash your graphic t-shirt is a good idea for several reasons. It's better for the environment and your wallet, it helps preserve the colours and graphics, it prevents shrinkage, and it's safer for delicate fabrics.

Avoid tumble drying

Tumble drying is a quick and convenient way to dry your clothes, but it's not always the best option for your graphic t-shirts. Here are some reasons why you should avoid tumble drying your graphic t-shirts:

High heat damages printed designs

Graphic t-shirts are often printed with designs that can be damaged by high heat. The high temperatures in a tumble dryer can cause the ink in the design to flake off, loosen, or crack, especially if the design is an iron-on. Even screen-printed graphics, which are more durable, can be subject to cracking over time with tumble drying.

Shrinkage

Tumble drying can cause your t-shirts to shrink, especially if they are made from natural fibres like cotton. High heat shrinks cotton fibres, and even if your t-shirt is preshrunk, it can still shrink further with tumble drying.

Faster ageing of your t-shirt

Tumble drying can accelerate the ageing process of your t-shirt, causing it to wear out faster. This is due to the high heat and the tumbling action of the dryer, which can be harsh on the fabric and the printed design.

Colour fading

In addition to damaging the printed design, tumble drying can also cause the colours of your t-shirt to fade, especially if the colours are dark or bold. This is because high heat breaks down the fibres in the fabric, causing colours to fade.

Damage to embellishments

If your graphic t-shirt has embellishments like beads, sequins, or embroidery, tumble drying can cause these extra bits to become warped or fall off. The high heat can melt or dissolve the glue that holds these embellishments in place, causing them to detach from the t-shirt.

Alternative drying methods

Instead of tumble drying, you can air-dry your graphic t-shirts. Hang them out to dry naturally, out of direct sunlight, and preferably inside out to protect the printed design. You can also lay them flat on a dry towel, which will absorb excess moisture, or dry them near a radiator with the windows and doors closed to keep in the heat.

Wash by hand

To keep your graphic t-shirts looking fresh and vibrant, it's important to take extra care when washing them. Here are some detailed instructions for washing graphic t-shirts by hand:

Step 1: Prepare a Basin or Sink

Fill a basin or sink with cold water. Using cold water is gentler on the fabric and will help preserve the colour and print. Add a mild or natural laundry detergent to the water. You only need a few drops of detergent per shirt.

Step 2: Turn the Shirt Inside Out

Before placing the shirt in the water, make sure to turn it inside out. This will protect the design from pilling and friction during the washing process. It will also prevent the colours from fading and minimise damage to the screen print.

Step 3: Treat Stains

If there are any stained areas on the shirt, apply a stain removal solution or a gentle detergent directly to the stains. You can also try natural solutions like diluted vinegar or lemon juice for stain removal. Gently rub the fabric against itself to lift the stain, or use a clean cloth to rub the stain.

Step 4: Soak the Shirt

Allow the shirt to soak in the soapy water for at least 10 minutes. If there are visible stains in the water, drain the sink and refill it with clean cold water before soaking the shirt again.

Step 5: Rinse and Wring

Rinse the shirt thoroughly under cold running water until all the soap has been removed. Spread the shirt flat on a clean towel and roll up the towel to gently remove excess water. Be careful not to wring or knot the shirt, as this can damage the print.

Step 6: Air Dry

Hang the shirt in a warm, dry area with good air circulation to air-dry completely. You can also lay the shirt flat to dry. Avoid using a dryer, as the heat and tumbling can crack, fade, and shrink the printed fabric over time.

Additional Tips:

• Always read the care instructions on the shirt's tag before washing.
• Wash whites and colours separately to prevent colour bleeding.
• Avoid using harsh detergents, warm water, or aggressive washing, as these can cause cracking, fading, and premature deterioration of the graphics.

Don't use bleach or fabric softener

When washing a graphic t-shirt, it is important to avoid using bleach or fabric softener. Bleach and other strong detergent products can cause the colours of your t-shirt to fade and bleed, and can also affect the adhesive under the graphics, causing the ink to flake off or loosen, and the print to crack and peel. Fabric softener, meanwhile, deposits a layer of electrically charged chemical compounds on fabric, causing the fibres to fluff up and feel softer. However, this layer of residue can irritate sensitive skin, reduce the absorption of towels, and diminish the wicking ability of workout clothes.

The residue from fabric softener can also reduce the flame resistance of children's sleepwear. It can build up in your washing machine, creating an environment for mildew to grow, and this residue can also affect the effectiveness of the dryer's moisture sensor.

Instead of using fabric softener, you can try using a scented laundry detergent to make your clothes smell nice. To prevent static in your laundry, you can use a dryer sheet, or, as an alternative, a piece of aluminium foil compressed into a ball.

If you want to keep the graphics on your t-shirt crisp and bold, it is also recommended that you wash your t-shirt inside out in cold water, and avoid tumble drying and ironing.

Frequently asked questions