How to Wash Shirts: 8 Tips from Laundry Staff

So your shirts definitely need (and deserve!) a special washing routine: they should be treated a little differently than T-shirts or bedding, and that’s what the pros suggest doing.

“Before you do anything, read the label inside your shirt for important instructions on what you can and can’t do,” says Matthew O’Connor, owner of a laundry and dry cleaning service. He advises relying on the manufacturer’s instructions — the exception would be the “hand wash only” symbol — here are the instances in which it can be overlooked.

Polyester, nylon, and spandex are almost always machine washable. Nylon tends to build up static, so it’s best to air dry it. Bleach should never be used to wash clothing containing spandex.

Cotton and linen are prone to fading and shrinking, but washing in cold or warm water (not hot!) and air drying or tumble drying on the lowest setting will solve both problems.

Natural wool and silk do not like exposure to water very much, but they can still be hand washed. But clothes containing artificial silk and viscose should be dry cleaned.

When you’re washing something for the first time, you need to take an extra step. “If the shirt is new, test your detergent on a small, inconspicuous area to see if the fabric is fading or not,” says Ocean Wang, owner of a full-service laundry.

Before you wash, make sure to unbutton all the buttons on your shirt, including the cuffs, Wang says. “First, it helps prevent unnecessary stress on the threads used to sew the buttons, and second, it allows for a more thorough cleaning—there won’t be any areas that aren’t subject to friction,” Ocean says.

“You don’t need anything fancy: A quick pre-treatment with oxygen bleach can work wonders. Apply a little to dirty areas—usually the collar and armpits—wait five minutes, then scrub with a soft brush. If the stains persist, soak the shirt in bleach for half an hour to an hour,” says O’Connor.

O’Connor believes there are ways to make things look their best with minimal effort: For shirts, he turns them inside out and places them in a mesh laundry bag. “However, this doesn’t mean the shirt can be washed with any other garment – choose one that matches the color,” he adds.

“Use the settings based on the manufacturer’s instructions on the label. If this is not the case, it is better to choose a delicate wash in cold or lukewarm water – hot water can cause the fabric to shrink. The product should be chosen according to the type of material,” advises Ocean.

The best way to do this, Ocean says, is to hang it on hangers in a cool place. (For colored fabrics, avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading.) But the dryer has its advantages: You can set settings that leave the fabric slightly damp, making ironing a lot easier.

“Even people who love ironing usually hate dealing with shirts, and I understand why. There are three tricks that can make it easier: First, use a spray bottle of water—it’s very hard to get wrinkles out of dry fabric. Second, take your time when transferring your shirt to the ironing board: let each ironed area cool for a few seconds. Third, get a small ironing board for your sleeves—I promise you, you’ll love it,” says Matthew.

Read also: 9 Tips to Help You Iron Faster and Better: Tips from the Pros

Can I use a steamer? Ocean and Matthew think that in some cases it won’t be of much use. “There are some things that steam smooths out perfectly – for example, things that contain viscose in the composition. But cotton and linen shirts only really look good when ironed,” says Wang.

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