How to clean and properly care for a cotton T-shirt
Sometimes, you come across a t-shirt that you just want to keep forever. Whether it's got a lovely design, holds sentimental value, or you just want to start consuming a little less, there are plenty of reasons to want to take care of items of clothing. While you can't make your t-shirt last forever, you can dramatically increase how long it'll last and how nice it'll look by cleaning it and taking care of it properly - here's what you need to know.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COTTON
While cotton is a reasonably durable fabric, it's important to understand a little more about it if you want to care for your t-shirt properly. Cotton fibres are made from the cotton plant and can come in a wide range of qualities and weights. Heavier fabrics will typically be of higher quality and will tend to last longer. You can literally feel the weight of the fabric just by pinching it between your thumb and finger - some t-shirts will feel distinctly thicker than others. While thicker t-shirts will last longer than cheaper, thinner fabrics, even the sturdiest of fabrics, will wear out relatively quickly if you don't look after them. If you want to keep your t-shirt feeling nice and soft, you need to take care of it.
Read the label
It's important that you don't just assume that the t-shirt you have is cotton - it could be a range of other fabrics, some of which might have very different care requirements. Check the product label both to see what the fabric is and if they have any special washing instructions.
If it doesn't say anywhere on the t-shirt, see if you can get in contact with the brand and ask them. They'll likely be willing to help, whether it's a smaller, slightly more niche brand with a smaller following or a bigger label with heaps of resources.
Don’t use a tumble dryer
While tumble dryers can be great if you need to dry something off in a hurry, they're not kind to your clothes. Not only do they heat the fabric up to high temperatures, potentially causing fabrics like corron to shrink, but they also wear the fabric down far more rapidly than if you were to dry the item normally.
They're generally okay for one-off usage, but when you can, it's always best to hang items out to dry on a drying rack. If it's a t-shirt that you really care about, or if it's already in a delicate state, we recommend that you never use a tumble dryer.
Use gentle wash cycles
Most washing machines nowadays have absolutely loads of different settings. While you can technically wash cotton at high temperatures and on a fast spin cycle, unless it's super dirty, it's probably not necessary to do so. Check the label first, and in general, try to use a delicate or eco-wash cycle when possible.
Consider hand washing
If the item is extra delicate or holds a particular sentimental value, then you might want to hand wash it. You can look up techniques online - you can do it in a large sink, a bathtub, or any large bucket. Make sure that you properly clean whatever container you choose to clean it in; you don't want to inadvertently end up making it even dirtier than it was before.
Try to use a good quality soap, and be extra careful not to damage any designs. In some cases, you might also find that your washing machine has a hand-washing setting, which might be appropriate.
Don’t wear it for heavy activities
If you want the t-shirt to last, then it's important that you don't wear it when you're doing manual labour or other strenuous activity. Not only will this mean that you'll have to wash the t-shirt more frequently, but it will also lead to the fabric degrading at a quicker rate. Even high-quality fabrics won't last forever; get a t-shirt that you don't care about as much for work, you can still look after it and keep it clean, but you won't care as much if it gets stained or ripped.
Use premium cleaning products
There are a lot of super harsh cleaning products out there that can damage t-shirts, especially if the fabric or designs are particularly delicate. You'll want to check which one is appropriate for the item you're cleaning; if it has any special washing requirements, it should say on the label, but premium soaps aren't just good for the t-shirt itself - they also tend to be a bit healthier for your skin.
Be careful with printed designs
While we've spoken a lot about looking after the fabric itself, with some t-shirts, you'll also need to take care not to damage any designs. For instance, screen-printed t-shirts will start to fade over time - the more you look after them, the longer they'll last. Most of the care tips listed above will also apply to this end; you don't want to get printed t-shirts too hot, and you don't want to spin or tumble dry them. Again, you won't be able to make any t-shirt last forever, but you can definitely extend its life a significant amount.
Storage
How you choose to store your t-shirts can also have a big impact on how long they last. For example, if you always fold t-shirts that have a design in them in the first place, you can start to cause the design to crack prematurely. You also want to make sure that t-shirts are bone-dry before you put them away and that they're stored in a cool, dry environment. Not only is it important to keep your t-shirts smelling fresh for the next time you want to wear them, but it will also help the item to last longer.
By following the care tips in this article, you should be able to keep your t-shirts clean and cared for. Ultimately, if you want something to last, you need to look after it and with t-shirts, it's clearly not too tricky.