How to take care of cotton garments

So you have items that are cotton and you don’t have time to hand wash them? What do you do? Follow this guide and we’ll aim to instruct the best we can to try and keep them safe and in their pristine condition.

Read the Care Label:

The first step in caring for your cotton wear is to read and follow the care label instructions on each garment. The care label provides valuable information on washing, drying, and ironing requirements specific to your clothing item. Not all items are created equal, remember that.

Separate Colours:

When doing laundry, always separate your coloured items from whites and darks. This prevents colour bleeding and ensures that your vibrant graphics and prints stay true to their original hue. I personally go for whites, darks and then colours separately but greys can also be another separate pile.

Pre-Treat Stains:

Address stains promptly by pre-treating them with a stain remover or a bit of mild detergent. Allow the pre-treatment to sit for a few minutes before laundering the garment. I personally use Preen Vanish OxiAction to remove stains such as chocolate. 

Use Cold Water:

Wash your cotton streetwear in cold water to prevent shrinkage and colour fading. Cold water is gentle on the fabric and helps retain its shape and vibrancy. Under 30 degrees (Celsius ofcourse) if your washing machine allows it.

No Spin Cycle:

Try and avoid spin cycling. Your items will be still be wet when the process finishes, but it reduces the risk of having the material knot or blemish.

Avoid Bleach:

Avoid using bleach on your items, as it can weaken the fibres and cause discoloration. Instead, use a colour-safe bleach alternative if necessary. I think this is common sense but try and avoid it as much as possible.

Inside Out:

To preserve the graphic prints and designs on your items, turn the garments inside out before washing. This precaution protects the outer surface from friction and potential damage.

Air Dry:

Air drying is the best method for drying your clothing. Hang your clothing items on a clothesline or drying rack, away from direct sunlight, to prevent fading and maintain the fabric's integrity. I always lay them flat on a drying rack out of the sunlight. I don’t like having hanging fabric as I believe it will stretch/misconfigure the shape of the items. Try and support the piece on the rack as best as possible to not have overhang.

Iron with Care:

If ironing is necessary, set the iron to a low or medium heat setting and avoid direct contact with any graphics or prints. Iron the garment inside out to further protect the design. I don’t usually iron my items but sometimes necessary. DON’T BURN IT.

Store Properly:

When not in use, fold your streetwear neatly and store them in a cool, dry place. You can hang them (I do) but make sure that they are completely dry and use wooden hangers (for hoodies), these are thicker and reduce the stress in the fabrics shoulder areas.  Plastic hangers are fine for t-shirts but wooden hangers are definitely the GOAT.

Caring for your cotton streetwear is a simple yet vital aspect of maintaining their quality and longevity. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your graphic tees, hoodies, and joggers stay fresh, vibrant, and ready for the streets. Proper care not only extends the life of your clothing but also ensures that you continue to make a style statement with your streetwear for years to come. So, take the time to care for your items.

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