Caring for your shirts the right way will ensure you get the most out of them in appearance and wear. It would be pointless and heartbreaking to invest time and money into a wardrobe of fine things if one does not take as much effort in its upkeep. Here are a few basic tips on how to care for your shirts.
Washing
The Care Label on your shirt is your best guide to washing instructions. Washing your shirts at home will allow you full control of the process. From treatment of stains to temperature setting to quality of detergent – you can pay as much attention as you would like at each stage. If you prefer to send your shirts to the cleaners, be sure to choose one that is reputable with quality service. Drying cleaning is not always recommended unless stated so in the Care Label of the shirt.
Stain Treatment
Sometimes, stains are not always visible and if left untreated can build up over time from perspiration, deodorant, colognes, body products, food, etc. The longer you leave your dirty shirts in the laundry basket, the more time stains will have to set into the shirt fabric. The sooner you treat a stain, the better. One of the hardest areas on a shirt to clean are the collar and cuffs. Always pre-treat the collar, cuffs and underarms of your shirts before every wash even if you don’t see a stain. Stain sticks or pens or sprays are all popular options for pre-treating collars and cuffs. If you send your shirts to the cleaners, always alert them of any stains to remove.
Tip: Apply cologne or spray on to your body and NOT on your shirt. Wait until the cologne/spray has dried before putting on the shirt to avoid staining or discolouration.
Shrinkage
Washing your shirts at unnecessarily high temperatures will cause your shirts to shrink, especially shirts of natural fabrics – cotton, linen, bamboo, etc. Always maintain the temperature mentioned on the shirt’s care label. When in doubt, stick to cold or lukewarm water set to a delicate cycle on the washing machine.
Ironing
A proper ironing technique can make such a difference to how clean and crisp a shirt looks and more importantly, how it will make YOU look.
Tip: Never iron over buttons, always around them to avoid damage. If you give your laundry to the cleaners, let them know to be extra careful as they could damage the shirt buttons using the press.
Storage
Hangers play a large role in protecting and extending the life of a shirt. Wooden hangers or thick plastic hangers that are wider at the shoulders, at least ¼” to 2”s wide, are perfect for supporting the shirt from its own weight and will prevent unsightly shoulder bumps on your shirts. Using wire hangers for your shirts is not recommended as its sharp edges can warp the shirt fibres.
For shirts that you do not plan on wearing for a while, protect them from dust, moisture and moths by enclosing them in bags or boxes. Cedar blocks, boxes, drawer liners or hangers offer natural protection against garment damage from moisture and moths. Its pleasant aroma keeps your wardrobe smelling fresh.