Don’t wash immediately after purchase. Custom printed tees require at least 24 hours to fully cure (the ink dries and sets in). So if they’re hot off the press, give them a day or two to cure for a long-lasting print.
Ignore the tag. Most T-shirts and similar items–especially 100% cotton will tell you that you can wash them normally. And you can– but it may not be the best way to protect and care for your custom print.
Separate and sort your items to wash. Colors and darks can go together, with whites separate. You should also separate by texture and weight; heavy and abrasive items like towels and jeans can rough up your T-shirts.
Use a laundry bag or turn your shirts inside out. Laundry bags specially made to keep particular pieces of clothing separate from the rest of the wash will give you maximum protection.
Do Not use bleach. Nothing is harsher on your T-shirts than bleach. It can sap the color, fade the print, and even weaken the construction. Look for natural stain removal options like vinegar and baking soda, but be careful to keep these away from the customization.
Avoid fabric softener. The chemicals in these products can degrade the ink of your print. A home remedy to use instead is vinegar. It can even brighten the colors. Add half a cup to a typical size load of laundry.
Do Not use the dryer. Hang to dry and try to keep your customized apparel out of extreme heat. The heat from a dryer or even a hot car for extended periods of time may melt or blend screen printed ink or vinyl.
Hard water can damage fabrics and prints. Find out if your house has hard water. If so, consider washing at a laundromat. If that’s not an option, pre-soak your items in a mixture of 1 cup vinegar per gallon of water.
When in doubt, get them dry cleaned. There’s no shame in letting the professionals handle your toughest stains or most valuable clothing. They have special techniques to lift stains without damaging or shrinking the fabric.
