Premium cotton is an investment, and like most good things it rewards a little care. The good news is that looking after heavyweight tees, sweatshirts and hoodies does not take more time. It mostly means changing a few default settings on your washing machine.
Before you wash
- Read the care label. It is specific to the fabric and dyes used in that garment.
- Turn garments inside out. This protects prints, embroidery and the outer surface from abrasion.
- Sort by colour and weight. Wash darks with darks, and keep heavy items like jeans away from soft fleece.
- Close zips and fasten buttons. Open metal teeth can snag knitted fabric.
Washing: cold and gentle
Most shrinkage and fading is caused by heat and agitation, not by the wash itself.
- Use cold or cool water, no more than 30°C (86°F). Modern detergents clean well at low temperatures.
- Choose a gentle or delicate cycle with a lower spin speed.
- Use less detergent than you think. Excess detergent stays in the fibres and makes cotton feel stiff.
- Skip bleach and fabric softener. Bleach weakens fibres, and softener coats them, reducing breathability.
- Do not overload the drum. Garments need room to move to get clean without rubbing hard against each other.
Drying: the step that matters most
Tumble dryers are the biggest cause of shrinkage in cotton. High heat tightens the fibres and can take a garment down a full size.
- Lay knitwear flat to dry. Hanging a wet hoodie can stretch the shoulders and hem.
- Reshape while damp. Gently pull seams straight and smooth the collar and cuffs.
- Dry out of direct sunlight to avoid uneven fading, especially on dark colours.
- If you must tumble dry, use the lowest heat setting and remove garments while they are still slightly damp.
Dealing with common problems
Pilling
Small balls of fibre can form where fabric rubs, such as under the arms. Remove them with a fabric shaver or a sweater comb, and wash inside out to reduce friction.
Faded blacks
Wash dark garments inside out in cold water with a detergent made for dark colours. Fewer washes also help: airing a hoodie between wears is often enough.
Stretched collars
Avoid pulling tees on and off by the collar. If a rib has relaxed, a cool wash and flat dry can help it recover some shape.
Storing your garments
- Fold heavy knitwear instead of hanging it, so gravity does not stretch the shoulders.
- Keep garments clean and dry before storing them for a season.
- Use breathable storage such as cotton bags rather than sealed plastic.
Wash less, wash cold and skip the dryer. Those three habits do more for the life of your clothes than anything else.
Quick reference
| Garment | Wash | Dry |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts and polos | Cold, gentle, inside out | Hang or lay flat |
| Hoodies and sweatshirts | Cold, gentle, inside out | Lay flat |
| Denim | Cold, inside out, infrequently | Hang to dry |
