Care That Keeps Your Tee Looking New: Washing & Drying Tips

Your favorite tee should feel like new for as long as possible — and most garment life comes down to how you care for it. At Inkstyles we design with durability in mind, but the final verdict depends on wash habits. Small changes in laundry routine make a huge difference in color retention, print lifespan, and fabric hand.

Start with a simple rule: treat printed tees gently. Turn garments inside out before washing to protect screen prints and DTG artwork from direct friction. Use a mild detergent and cold water — hot washes accelerate fading and can weaken fibers. If you own tees with delicate inks or special finishes (metallic, puff, or flock), hand washing or a gentle cycle is safest.

Drying matters as much as washing. High heat shrinks fibers, stresses seams, and can cause prints to crack. Air drying is the gold standard: lay flat when possible to avoid hanger shoulder bumps, or hang on a broad-shouldered hanger in shade. If you must tumble dry, use the lowest heat setting and remove garments while slightly damp to finish flat. This helps maintain shape without excessive heat stress.

Ironing and storage are often overlooked. Iron inside out on low heat when necessary, and avoid ironing directly on prints. For long-term storage, fold tees rather than hanging heavy cottons on thin hangers — folding prevents shoulder stretching. Keep shirts dry and avoid plastic bags which trap moisture and degrade fibers.

Spot care keeps a tee wearable between washes. For small stains, dab with a gentle pre-treatment and cold water rather than reaching for hot water or chlorine bleach. Bleach not only weakens cotton but ruins colorfastness; stick to oxygen-based stain removers when required.

At Inkstyles we share care labels with clear instructions and try to use inks and finishes that survive typical consumer laundering. Still, the best longevity comes from mindful laundering: cold wash, gentle cycle, inside out, low heat drying or air dry, and iron with care. Follow these steps and your tee will keep shape, color, and print vibrancy far longer — which means better value for you and fewer garments in landfill. That’s good design, and it’s good for the planet.