Care Instructions: Make Your Custom Apparel Last Years, Not Months

Your custom shirts can last 6 months or 6 years. The difference? How you wash them. Here’s exactly how to keep your gear looking fresh. Questions? Call Nick at (812) 537-3461.

Tom bought work shirts for his landscaping crew. Six months later, he’s back: “Nick, these shirts look terrible. Faded, cracked, shrunk. I need better quality.”

I asked: “How are you washing them?”

“Hot water, regular detergent, high heat dryer. Why?”

There’s your problem. Same shirts, different care = completely different lifespan.

The Golden Rules of Apparel Care

Rule #1: Cold Water is Your Friend
Hot water is apparel enemy #1. It fades colors, sets stains, shrinks fabric. Always wash in cold.

Rule #2: Inside Out Always
Turn shirts inside out before washing. Protects print from friction. Simple but effective.

Rule #3: Skip the Fabric Softener
Softener coats fibers, traps odor, damages moisture-wicking. Just don’t use it.

Rule #4: Lower Heat or Air Dry
High heat destroys elastic, cracks prints, shrinks everything. Low heat or hang dry.

Rule #5: Wash Similar Together
Jeans with zippers destroy prints. Wash apparel with apparel.

Quality shirts still need proper care.

Care by Garment Type

Screen Printed T-Shirts:

• Wash inside out, cold water
• Gentle cycle preferred
• Low heat or air dry
• Never iron directly on print
• Expect 100+ washes with proper care

Embroidered Polos:

• Cold wash, gentle cycle
• Reshape collar while damp
• Hang dry or low heat
• Iron around embroidery, not over
• Embroidery lasts forever with care

Performance/Moisture-Wicking:

• Cold wash only
• NO fabric softener ever
• Extra rinse helps remove detergent
• Air dry when possible
• Maintains wicking properties

Hoodies:

• Wash inside out, zipper up
• Cold water, regular cycle OK
• Low heat dry or hang
• Remove promptly to avoid wrinkles
• Drawstrings: tie before washing

Stain Removal That Works

Grease/Oil:
Dawn dish soap before washing. Works better than any fancy product.

Grass/Dirt:
White vinegar + cold water. Soak 30 minutes before washing.

Blood:
Cold water + hydrogen peroxide. Never hot water (sets the stain).

Coffee:
Cold water rinse immediately. White vinegar for set stains.

Deodorant:
White vinegar or lemon juice. Those white marks aren’t permanent.

Contractors deal with tough stains daily.

The Commercial Laundry Problem

Using a laundry service? Here’s what to know:

• They use HOT water (cheaper/faster)
• Harsh chemicals standard
• High heat drying always
• Expect 50% shorter lifespan
• Consider having two sets

Some businesses accept this as cost of convenience. Just plan accordingly.

Making Work Clothes Last

The Rotation System:
5 shirts worn daily last longer than 3. More rest between wears = longer life.

The End-of-Day Ritual:
Hang sweaty shirts to dry before hamper. Prevents mildew and odor setting.

The Pretreat Protocol:
Spray stains immediately. Keep spray bottle in truck/shop. Stains set with time.

The Friday Wash:
Don’t let dirty work clothes sit all weekend. Stains and odors become permanent.

When to Replace

Even with perfect care, apparel wears out. Replace when:

• Prints cracked beyond recognition
• Fabric thin enough to see through
• Permanent stains affect appearance
• Sizing changed from wear
• Just looks unprofessional

Well-maintained apparel should last 12-18 months of hard use, 2-3 years of normal wear.

Budget for replacements annually.

Pro Tips from 10 Years Experience

• New shirt prep: Wash before first wear. Sets the print.
• Vinegar rinse: Monthly vinegar wash removes buildup
• Mesh bags: Protect expensive pieces in wash
• Line dry secret: Shirts smell fresher, last longer
• Storage matters: Fold or hang, never stuff

The Money Math

P.S. – Tom’s landscaping shirts? The ones he washes properly still look good after 2 years. The hot-water batch? Rags within 6 months. Same shirts, same work, different care. Now his whole crew knows: cold water, low heat, shirts last. Simple as that.