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Frequent machine washing can make your favorite graphic tee look old and worn out. Often, the print will crack or fade after just a few trips to the laundromat. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your printed shirts looking bright and vibrant for years.

Do:

Turn it inside out.

When you’re in the laundromat, take the time to turn your shirts, jeans, and other clothes inside out before washing them. This move prevents fading and protects any design or embellishments on the clothing from harm during the tumble in the washer. Plus, it helps remove stains or set-in dirt on the inner layers of your clothing.

Wash with cold water.

Hot water does wonders on stains and for disinfecting, but not so much on graphic prints and fabric. It causes the ink to dry up, resulting in print cracking. On your next laundry day, skip the high heat and use cold water to wash your clothes since it’s gentler while still being effective.

Place in a laundry bag.

laundromatFriction during washing wears out the print and loosens it, causing it to flake, crack, or peel. Apart from turning your apparel inside out, put it in a mesh laundry bag to protect it.

Don’t:

Use strong detergents and bleach.

Refrain from using harsh detergents and bleach as these wear out clothes faster. Invest in mild soaps. Pour in just enough to clean your clothes—applying too much leads to repeated rinsing and washing to remove leftover detergent in the fibers. If you need to get rid of stains, use a spot remover instead of bleach.

Mix with other textures.

At the laundromat, take the time to wash clothes with similar textures or fabric. For instance, wash jeans and cotton shirts separately to minimize friction between the two materials. Make sure to use the gentlest setting possible for clothes made with light fabrics, including your graphic tee.

Put it in the dryer.

Since high temperature is the number one enemy of your printed apparel, skip the dryer and opt to air-dry it instead. Hang it up or lay it out to dry—however you do it, make sure it’s out of direct sunlight as this can cause cracking and fading as well.

 

If you’re looking for the best place to do your laundry, visit The Wash House Laundromat in Littleton, CO. They offer coin-operated, top-of-the-line machines that are capable of large loads. Call (720) 531-2178 to know more about their wash-and-fold service or inquire via their website today.

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