How to Keep Your Printed Tees Looking New
Five small laundry habits that keep colors bright and prints crisp, wash after wash.
A printed tee can stay sharp for years with the right care. The good news: it takes less effort than you think. These five habits protect the fabric and the print, so your favorite design keeps looking like the day it arrived.
1. Turn It Inside Out
Washing inside out keeps the printed side from rubbing against zippers, buttons and rough fabrics in the drum. It is the single easiest way to protect the design.
2. Wash Cold
Cold water (30°C / 90°F or below) is gentler on cotton and on the print. It also helps prevent shrinking and fading.
3. Skip the Bleach and the Dryer
Bleach breaks down both fibers and inks. High heat in a tumble dryer can crack prints and shrink cotton, so hang or lay your tees flat to dry instead.
- Machine wash cold, inside out
- Do not bleach
- Do not tumble dry – hang or lay flat
- Do not iron directly on the print
- Do not dry clean
4. Never Iron the Print
If you need to smooth out wrinkles, iron the tee inside out on low heat, or place a thin cloth between the iron and the design.
5. Store Folded, Not Stretched
Heavy hangers can stretch the neckline over time. Fold tees and hoodies in a drawer or on a shelf, and save hangers for lightweight pieces.
Treat the print like the best part of the shirt – because it is.
