How to wash shirts to keep them looking like new: by hand or in the washing machine

It is difficult to imagine if an office worker wears a T-shirt with a suit, because a shirt is the main element of a business and classic style of clothing. This wardrobe attribute changes daily, which makes you wonder how to properly wash shirts in a washing machine so as not to use expensive dry cleaning services.

Preparation for the process

The preliminary stage consists of several steps that need to be carried out before washing, which will prevent loss of color and shape of the shirt. If we are talking about giving freshness to the product, then you need to carry out the usual sorting according to the texture of the fabric and the maximum temperature that is permissible when washing. You also need to know what mode the fabric of the product allows, but if there is no heavy contamination, then it is better to use a delicate one and without spinning.

Preparing shirts for the process:

• sorting by color: white shirts are always washed separately from blue or pink and multi-colored ones;
• pre-treatment of heavy soiling, such as sleeve cuffs and collars;
• fastening all the buttons and turning the shirt inside out, which will prevent the fabric from deforming when washing.

It is better to wash shirts in a washing machine separately from other clothes and linen, especially for terry towels and dark-colored fabrics. The lint that may remain on the shirt is very difficult to remove, and the item will look untidy.

To soak or not?

Depends on how worn the clothes are. If, judging by the stains, you can’t do without soaking, then it’s better to use a mild detergent. Before washing, you can rub heavily soiled areas with laundry soap for 10 minutes, but do not use a brush or wring out the item too much, as you can damage the shape of the collar and cuffs. Typically, shirts are soaked for 30-60 minutes at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees, after which they are immediately sent to the wash.

Wash by hand

It is better to wash things made of thin and delicate fabric yourself, rather than trusting it to a machine, because even the most delicate mode can damage the integrity of the fibers. Before the procedure, it is recommended to read the label on the clothing, where the water temperature and washing method will be written. It is not in vain that the manufacturer provides such information - it will help preserve the fabric for the maximum number of washes.

How to wash

If you have hard water in your home, it is better to use softening agents. You can use soda by adding 1-2 tbsp. spoons per 10 liters, it copes well with hardness. In this case, the product will dissolve better and act on the fabric.

Steps for washing shirts by hand:

1. Take warm water into a basin and thoroughly dissolve the detergent in it. If the shirt is very worn, it is recommended to pre-treat the dirty areas with laundry soap or an approved stain remover.
2. Soak the shirt for 5-10 minutes and start washing.Do not rub the fabric too much in your hands, just wrinkle it a little and remove it from the water.
3. It is better to rinse your shirt in running water, especially for dark fabrics. This will prevent the detergent from remaining in the fibers.
4. It is not recommended to wring out delicate fabrics; it is better to hang the item on a crossbar and let the water drain naturally.

It is better to dry shirts inside out on hangers, away from direct sunlight. Colored fabrics quickly fade under ultraviolet radiation, and it will no longer be possible to restore a beautiful design.

What to wash

It is better to use a liquid product; it dissolves quickly in water and does not have granules that can damage the fabric. If powder is used, it must be diluted thoroughly. It would be a good idea to use fabric softener when rinsing, which will remove static electricity from the fabric and make ironing easier.

Machine washable

This is a less gentle option and will help you wash your shirts better at home. But before you load items sorted by color into the washing machine, you need to check for stains that need to be treated with a remover.

What kind of stains can be on the shirt and how to remove them:

1. Coffee and tea. They are removed with a solution of glycerin mixed with ammonia in a ratio of 1/1. Next, the stain is covered with table salt for 20 minutes, and the shirt can be washed in the washing machine.
2. Lipstick and foundation. It is removed by applying dishwashing detergent, ammonia or toothpaste to the stain. Apply any of these products to the stained area, leave for 15 minutes and put the item in the wash.

To remove a stain and wash it at home, it is not necessary to contact specialized services - in addition to folk remedies, there are a large number of chemical stain removers that will not spoil the fabric and color.

What to wash

Regardless of the type of fabric, it is better to use a liquid detergent when washing shirts in the washing machine. The smallest particles of powder can remain in the fibers, which destroys the structure of the material, and the dry substance also acts more aggressively on the color.

Correct mode and temperature

The label on the shirt can provide comprehensive information, but if there is none, you will have to adhere to basic washing recommendations. First of all, you need to determine the type of fabric, which determines what maximum temperature can be set on the washing machine panel, and it is better to choose the delicate mode for all shirts.

Types of materials and features of their washing:

1. Cotton and linen. The fabric tolerates temperatures up to 90 degrees and washing with both powder and liquid, but you should exclude the spin and dry mode. It is better to let the water drain from the shirt naturally and dry it on a hanger, then the ironing process will be easier.
2. Silk. Delicate fabric, but very strong. The permissible washing temperature is 40 degrees; it is also better to avoid spinning in order to iron the item at a minimum temperature.
3. Synthetics. Easy to wash at 50 degrees and spin at 800 rpm. But you need to iron such things with caution and it is better to avoid contact between the iron and fabric altogether. It is better to hang a synthetic shirt on hangers and let it dry.

If you cannot do without ironing, then for all types of fabric it is better to use the steaming method, which will eliminate the formation of thermal stains on clothes that cannot be removed with anything.

On a note. Shirts made from natural cotton and linen fibers are prone to shrinkage, so it is best to wash the item for the first time at a temperature no higher than 60 degrees. This will prevent loss of shape and color.

What you need to know to wash a white shirt

Light-colored fabrics are the most demanding to care for; dirt on the collar and cuffs is more visible and is more difficult to remove. Washing a shirt correctly is not difficult if you follow simple rules, but you should also follow the recommendations on the clothing label.

How to wash white shirts:

1. On the washing machine panel you need to set the delicate mode with the maximum temperature that the material allows. Usually this is washed at 40-60 degrees without spinning.
2. Cuffs, collar area and yellow stains are treated with a chemical stain remover. You can use a natural remedy: liquid laundry soap 4 tbsp. spoons mixed with 3 tbsp. spoons of hydrogen peroxide and apply to stains, leave for 30-40 minutes before washing.
3. You need to add bleach to the powder compartment, preferably oxygen-based, it is more gentle on the fabric. Don't forget about the conditioner, which should be colorless.

Important. The manufacturer places a “dry clean” sign on some products, and if you are not willing to constantly take shirts to specialized centers, it is better not to purchase such items. Of course, you can try to wash it yourself, but there is no guarantee that the item will retain its shape and color.

Questions and answers

Caring for clothes is a whole science that many housewives have been studying for years. But knowing the answers to simple questions, you can avoid mistakes and keep your shirt for a long time.

Do I need to wash things after purchasing?

Shirts come into direct contact with human skin, and to avoid allergies or other negative consequences, it is better to play it safe. It is advisable to refresh the fabric at the minimum permissible temperature, dry it, and use a steamer for ironing.

How to dry it properly and can I use a rope?

To avoid creases in the fabric and unsightly folds that are difficult to smooth out, it is better to dry things on hangers. When using rope, the shirt is hung by the collar, where the fabric is thickest.

Where to put it and what to do with a shrunken shirt?

This situation often happens if the temperature regime is used incorrectly. It is impossible to do anything about a shrunken shirt; you will have to throw it away or give it to a relative who wears clothes 2-3 sizes smaller.

If you know the basic rules of how to wash shirts in a washing machine, then the items will retain their original appearance for a long time, and the owner will be neat. Caring for your clothes will not be a hassle if you strictly follow the temperature and washing schedule.