Premium tees look sharp for longer when you treat them well. Start by reading the care tag, then build a simple routine you can repeat each wash. If you rotate brands, measure a favourite designer t shirt flat so you can spot fit changes after laundering and tweak your settings before damage sets in.
Wash temperatures that actually work
Cold-to-warm cycles protect colour and fabric in cotton. For most coloured tees, aim for a 30 °C cycle and a gentle program; this lines up with GINETEX care guidance and keeps dye bleeding at bay. Australia leans towards cold washing, which also cuts fading and energy use, so it’s an easy default for logo pieces from kenzo and friends.
Prep before the wash
Turn tees inside out, close zips on other garments, and wash like colours together. Printed graphics last longer when friction is reduced and heat stays low, so use a mild detergent and a slow spin. If the print is heavy or puffed, a mesh bag adds extra protection; that’s handy for bold motifs you’ll see on palm angels. Hand-wash is still the safest option for delicate prints.
Drying without surprise shrinkage
Heat and over-drying are the usual culprits. Either skip the dryer or pick a low setting and pull tees out while they’re slightly damp, then finish on a rack. Choice notes that 100% cotton is more likely to shrink in the dryer, so treat heavier jerseys with care; that includes boxy cuts like fear of god essentials.
Sunlight: friend for sheets, foe for colour
Direct sun is tough on dyes. Line-dry in the shade or indoors to avoid UV bleaching, especially on darks and saturated prints. Australian advice and textile experts call out UV as a strong fading agent, so shift the rack under cover before midday and rotate pieces as they dry. That habit pays off on oversized staples such as essentials fear of god.
Storage that keeps the shoulder line clean
Fold tees for long-term storage to avoid “hanger bumps”. If you must hang, use wide, padded hangers and support the shoulder seam rather than the neckline. Keep wardrobes cool, dry and dark; airflow helps, while long-term plastic garment bags trap moisture. The same rules suit patterned button-ups like casa blanca shirts.
Quick settings cheat sheet
|
Step |
Best practice |
Why it helps |
|
Wash |
30 °C cold/colour cycle, mild detergent |
Reduces fading and shrinkage on cotton. |
|
Spin |
Gentle or reduced spin |
Less torque on seams and prints. |
|
Dry |
Air-dry in shade or low-heat tumble, remove slightly damp |
Limits heat damage and UV fade. |
|
Store |
Fold; if hanging, use padded hangers; cool, dark, dry space |
Maintains shape and colour. |
Keep it simple: cool wash, low agitation, shade dry, and sensible storage. If a tee feels special, treat it like it is—check the tag each season, and adjust settings as fabric weights and finishes change.