Everyone should cherish their custom-printed clothing. Yet, when you have to wash your customized clothes, it’s only natural to be a bit afraid of losing that beautiful artwork or logo in the washing machine.
If you want to keep the artwork of your custom hoodies, t-shirt, jacket, or personalized garment, here is how you should wash and care for it properly!
Wash it Less Frequently
Print-on-demand clothing should only be washed when needed for extra longevity and durability. Even though good quality cotton is tough, every wash causes stress to the natural fibers leading to wear and tear, such as fading, shrinkage, and holes in the garment.
Therefore, washing your custom-printed garments less frequently is the easiest way to extend even your favorite custom hoodie’s life. Also worth considering is the environmental impact of washing your clothing more regularly than necessary.
Washing your garments only when they are dirty will make your custom-printed t-shirts last longer.
Pair up the Colors
Only wash whites with other whites. Washing paired colors together helps to maintain the whiteness or general color of your custom-printed t-shirts.
By only washing light colors together, you reduce the risk of a white custom-printed t-shirt turning pink or gray due to the garment dye bleeding from another t-shirt in the same washing load.
Usually, dark-colored clothes also wash well together. Sorting your dirty clothing by fabric types will help achieve optimal washing results: sportswear and work clothes will have different washing needs to a delicate dress or lightweight shirt.
Look at your garment’s care label instructions if you need help washing a particular garment. You can find them on a label on the neck or the inside seam above the hip.
Opt for a Cold Wash Cycle
A 100% cotton printed t-shirt can shrink if it is washed at a too-hot temperature. Detergents tend to work better at higher temperatures, so it is essential to find the balance between the washing temperature & successful cleaning of your customized garments.
Dark-colored t-shirts are usually washed thoroughly with cold water; however, it is recommended to wash custom-printed white t-shirts at around 30 degrees.
Washing your white custom-printed garments at 30 but not more than 40 degrees ensures a longer-lasting, crisp-looking t-shirt and reduces the risk of unwanted colorization, such as yellow marks under the armpits.
Wash and Dry Inside Out
Washing your custom-printed t-shirts inside out minimizes the risk of unwanted lint and pilling of natural cotton. Drying your custom-printed t-shirts inside out means that potential fading happens on the interior side of the clothing while leaving the outside intact.
Use the Right Amount of Detergent
There are now more environmentally-friendly detergents based on natural ingredients on the market. You should use them to avoid chemical ingredients that might damage your custom hoodies and other customized clothes.
It is essential to remember that even ‘green detergents’ might pollute wastewater and damage clothes. However, you must consider that using more detergent will not clean your clothes better. The fewer clothes you put in a washing machine, the less detergent is needed.
Do Not Dry Tumble
It’s worth knowing that all cotton-based products will have natural shrinkage, which generally happens during tumble drying. You can reduce the risk of shrinkage by air-drying instead.
When you air-dry your garments, avoid direct sunlight to reduce the unwanted fading of colors. As mentioned above: 100% cotton products generally don’t do well in excessive heat. To reduce creasing and unwanted stretching, you should hang delicate cotton fabrics over a rail.
Not putting your custom-printed t-shirts in the dryer positively affects your garment’s durability and has a substantial environmental impact. A household can reduce its carbon footprint by not using a tumble dryer.
Iron on Reverse & Do Not Iron The Print
Taking your customized t-shirts carefully out of the washing machine and giving them a gentle stretch or shake can minimize creasing. You must pay extra attention around the neckline and shoulders: you should only stretch them a little here as you want the t-shirt to maintain shape.
Reducing the spin cycle of your washing program also helps to minimize creasing. Still, your custom garment will be a bit moist when coming out of the washing machine.
When ironing your custom-printed t-shirt, do it on the reverse and use the steam function on your iron.
Adding moisture before ironing cotton fabrics will make their fibers smoother, and the garment will flatten more quickly.
Treat Stains Straight Away
When getting a stain on your custom-printed t-shirt, the first and most important rule is to treat the stain straight away. The faster you attempt to remove the stain, the easier it is to get it out of the fabric entirely. Natural materials like cotton or linen are excellent at absorbing liquids such as red wine or tomato sauce.
Unfortunately, no universal detergent or stain removal product is ideal for eliminating all kinds of stains. Research has shown the more effective a stain remover is, the more aggressive it is to the garment color and may affect the custom-printed t-shirt color.
You have to rinse the stain with warm water and then add some mild detergent or soap as an initial step.
11 advice from the Cleaning Experts (What the Experts say?)
- Read the care instructions: Before washing your custom-printed clothing, be sure to read the care label. The label will provide specific instructions on washing and caring for the garment.
- Wash inside out: To prevent the print from fading or cracking, turn your garment inside out before washing.
- Use cold water: Hot water can damage the fabric and cause the print to fade, so it’s best to wash your custom-printed clothing in cold water.
- Use a gentle detergent: Harsh detergents can damage the fabric and print, so choose a gentle detergent free from bleach or fabric softeners.
- Avoid the dryer: Drying your custom-printed clothing in a dryer can cause the print to crack or peel. Instead, air dry your garment by laying it flat or hanging it up.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Sunlight can also cause the print to fade, so it’s best to avoid hanging your garment in direct sunlight.
- Iron inside out: If you need to iron your custom-printed clothing, do it inside out. This will protect the print from the heat of the iron.
- Don’t dry clean: Dry cleaning can be harsh on the fabric and print, so it’s best to avoid it.
- Store carefully: When storing your custom-printed clothing, be sure to fold it carefully and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid rubbing or scrubbing: When washing your custom-printed clothing, avoid rubbing or scrubbing the print. This can cause it to fade or peel.
- Treat stains immediately: If your custom-printed clothing gets stained, be sure to treat the stain immediately. Use a stain remover that is safe for the fabric and print, and wash the garment as soon as possible.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your custom-printed clothing looks great for as long as possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking care of your custom-printed clothing properly is crucial to maintaining the longevity and durability of the garment’s artwork.
Washing your custom-printed clothes less frequently, washing paired colors together, and opting for a cold wash cycle are just a few ways to care for your custom-printed clothing.
Additionally, washing and drying your clothing inside out, using the right amount of detergent, air-drying instead of tumble drying, and ironing on the reverse side can help maintain the garment’s appearance. Treating stains immediately is also crucial to prevent any permanent damage to the custom-printed artwork.
By following these tips, you can keep your custom-printed clothing looking great for a long time while reducing your environmental impact.
[wp-faq-schema title=”Frequently Asked Questions”]
