How to Wash Graphic Tees – Without Damaging Them

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(Newswire.net — August 27, 2019) — Graphic tees are probably one of the most comfortable and unique clothing items to show off your personality. But to shine and stand out, you need to make sure your shirt is well-preserved and clean. More importantly, you need to choose a gentle method that would maintain the printed graphics. Read this short guide to learn how to wash graphic tees effectively.

How to Wash Graphic Tees

Before starting, you need to prepare the following items and products:

  • Natural or mild laundry detergent
  • Towel
  • Lukewarm or cool water

Simple steps to wash your graphic tees by hand:

Compared to machine washing, washing by hand can be gentler for your graphic tees. With this method, you would know where to apply hard or gentle pressure to help preserve the print of your shirt. Below are 5 simple steps to follow:

Step 1:

Plug and fill the sink with lukewarm or cool water. and fill it with cool or lukewarm water. Moderate temperatures are important to retain the print and color on your tee. Once the sink has filled, add natural or mild laundry detergent. Just use several drops for each shirt.

Step 2:

Submerge the graphic tees in the soapy water. You can wash one more shirt at the same time. Keep in mind the separate colors and whites when you deal with multiples. Dip your hands in water and swirl your clothing items for around 1 minute.

Step 3:

The next step is to apply the detergent to stained areas. Use your fingertips to rub the t shirt fabric against itself before dipping it into the water and rinsing. Repeat this process until the stain disappears.

Step 4:

Let your graphic tees soak in the water for around 5 minutes. If rubbing or swirling the shirts has already dirtied the cleaning water, then drain and refill the sink with clean water before continuing.

Step 5:

Lastly, rinse your graphic tees with cool running water. Only stop when the water is visibly clear of soap. Next, spread out a clean, thick towel and place the wet shirt on this surface. Roll it up tightly to wring out gently. Keep in mind that knotting or wringing the tees by hand would damage some printed patterns. Unroll the clean towel and hang your shirts in a dry, warm area with good circulation.

Useful tips for washing your graphic tees:

Below are some helpful tips to wash your graphic tees more effectively.

  • As graphic tees can vary, make sure to consult the tag of your shirt for correct care instructions before starting
  • Pre-shrunk 100% cotton, a common material for many graphic tees, might shrink a half after washing. Thus, you don’t have to worry about this problem.
  • If you use a washing machine, choose normal wash cycles with warm or cold water temperature. This will help preserve the print and prevent color bleeding

The Bottom Line

While machine washing is possible for graphic tees, it is better to wash them by hand. This method is gentler and would ensure optimum longevity for the printed patterns. Also, avoid using too strong laundry detergent, bleach, or similar products to keep your shirt always look clean and unique.