Laundry Tips

[Sideonecincy]

I've got sorta a weird question about washing and drying clothing, specifically t-shirts. I've been really OCD about washing and drying clothing in the last year. Jeans and t-shirts get washed then dried on tumble then hung to air dry out rest of the way. I sometimes air dry the shirts by hanging them on hangers and sometimes air dry them by just hanging them over a line.

After drying, is it better to fold t-shirts, hang them or does it not make a difference because they are already dried? I don't want the neckline to stretch, while still keeping the colors and graphics crisp

Any tips are appreciated.

 

[archesdevil]

If your a germaphobe like me, you would dry them on high setting.

 

[mlemonds]

Tip: Check your pockets before washing... especially for iPhones.

 

[Ntombi]

To prevent neckline issues and stretching in general, fold them.

 

[lwood1]

Tip: Check your pockets before washing... especially for iPhones.

Haha! I've put iPod earphones through the wash twice...

Still work


Put detergent in first, wash everyone cold, use liquid detergent, hang or iron

 

[Gray-Wolf]

If you don't want the shirt stretched, fold it. Always wash like colored clothing together, and these days, better in cold water, leaving hot for whites. Adding softener, is helpful as well when hanging to dry.

 

[mlemonds]

well, i lost a bluetooth headset to the washer

 

[LeahM]

I would say fold. But if you have graphics, and don't want wrinkles, then hang.

 

[Sideonecincy]

Well for the shirts that do have a neckline stretched a little bit, what is the best way to shrink the neckline back down? Wash in hot water then dry for extra long?

I will probably start folding them because the graphics won't be harmed anything noticeable since I only tumble dry the shirts.

 

[killerrobot]

To avoid stretching the neck, introduce the top of the hanger through the bottom of the shirt, gently and smoothly pulling upwards until the hook of the hanger protrudes through the ever so delicate and round neck of the shirt.

Repeat as often as needed.

EDIT:
Oh and to avoid graphic deterioration, you need to always wash the shirt inside out.

 

[NC MacGuy]

Hanging t's always gives mine hanger lumps in the shoulders and can stretch the necks depending on shirt. I always fold or even better if I have room, lay flat one on top of the other.

 

[Surely]

1. Wash all t-shirts inside out using cold water.
2. Hang dry on a drying rack.
3. Once dry, put them in the dryer on high setting for around 5 minutes to fluff them and to remove wrinkles.
4. Lay them all flat on your bed for a couple of hours to cool down.
5. Once cool, fold them.

That should keep the wrinkling and stretching to a minimum.

Works great for me!

/Ok, time to out for some sushi and saki bombs......

 

[Sideonecincy]

1. Wash all t-shirts inside out using cold water.
2. Hang dry.
3. Once dry, put them in the dryer on high setting for around 5 minutes to fluff them.
4. Lay them all flat on your bed for a couple of hours to cool down.
5. Once cool, fold them.

That should keep the wrinkling and stretching to a minimum.

Works great for me!

/Ok, time to out for some sushi and saki bombs......

The weight from the shirt being wet while on a hanger doesn't stretch the shirts?

 

[Surely]

The weight from the shirt being wet while on a hanger doesn't stretch the shirts?

I edited the post. I guess I should have been more clear about the hang dry part. You can buy a collapsable drying rack at Target, that's what I use. Don't use hangers, they'll stretch the t-shirts.

Hope that helps a little more.

 

[Kwyjibo]

1. Wash all t-shirts inside out using cold water.
2. Hang dry on a drying rack.
3. Once dry, put them in the dryer on high setting for around 5 minutes to fluff them and to remove wrinkles.
4. Lay them all flat on your bed for a couple of hours to cool down.
5. Once cool, fold them.

That should keep the wrinkling and stretching to a minimum.

Works great for me!

/Ok, time to out for some sushi and saki bombs......

I do #1-2 and then #5 ... I don't like putting t-shirts or jeans ever in the dryer.

 

[scotty96LSC]

I got married and all these washing/drying, hot/cold water, detergent/softner, medium/high heat questions were resolved.
Seems I was doing it all wrong for 30 years.

 

[r1ch4rd]

A nice big chunky coat hanger is always better than a thin wire one. So I would use one like this rather than one like this.

On a side note, it interested me that even just searching for a picture of a coat hanger turned up some porn sites in the results! What is the world coming to?

 

[Surely]

I do #1-2 and then #5 ... I don't like putting t-shirts or jeans ever in the dryer.

Give it a try once. It makes them fluffy and gets rid of the stiffness and bend marks from being hung on the rack. It doesn't ruin them at all, as long as you do it once they are totally dry and take them out after around 5 minutes.