How To Wash Your Own Shirts

Perhaps the most economical fashion tip you will ever learn is how to wash your own shirts. Of course, taking your shirts to a dry cleaner is easier; you drop them off and they come back clean and crisp. However, washing them yourself is not only economical but virtually guarantees longevity. The typical cotton men’s shirt is not made to be dry-cleaned with harsh chemicals. Yet, dropping them in a home washing machine or even taking them to the coin machines down the hall takes a little practice. In fact, knowing how to wash a shirt is much more a matter of water temperature, soap and adequate soaking time than anything else.

Your most expensive shirts will last longer if you took the time to do them by hand. While you will have to take the time to care for them yourself, you will soon find that this time will become less and less each week as you progress in knowing how to care for your wardrobe. Thus, here are your best options for doing the job yourself and learning how to wash your own shirts.

WASH YOUR OWN SHIRTS: THE BASICS

Before you put soap and water to your shirts you must first read the care labels stitched inside. Designers and manufacturers actually do care about how you clean their garments and these labels are your guide. In fact, some shirts truly should be dry-cleaned only. If you don’t understand these symbols you should check out the extensive listing included in the AskMen.com Style Bible that categorizes and explains each symbol in detail. Your next step is to remove collar stays and button up the collar and a few chest buttons to prevent the shirt from becoming twisted and entwined in the machine’s agitator or with other garments that put far too much stress on the seams and fabric.
Wash your own shirts at home
A conventional washing machine is designed for convenience of use and not the preservation of your favorite shirt. Therefore, read the operating instructions and then wash your shirts on a delicate or hand-washable setting. This will slow down the revolutions and actions of the center agitator. Some newer machines do not use an agitator, however, you still want to use a lighter-action setting. Warm and cold water are best for maintaining a shirt with colors. White shirts will require hot water and a dash of real bleach from time to time to keep the collar clean and free of stain buildups. When possible, opt for a hypoallergenic, high-efficiency detergent without dyes or scents. All of those extra additives may seem appealing in a store but they break down the fibers in clothing and add an additional scent to your grooming regime. A color-safe bleach is appropriate for a shirt with color stitching or designs, but use these sparingly as well.Wash your own shirts in a hotel
Don’t be afraid to pack a little laundry detergent in your shaving kit when you travel. Many laundry detergent manufacturers now make a one-load size travel packet that meets the new airline rules for soaps and other toiletries. They are often sold in multipacks with an individual packet costing you less than one U.S. dollar. Larger department stores carry a variety of brands and you can often buy these in the sundry shops of larger hotels, but plan ahead and toss a few packets into your case anyway.

While these packets are made to use with a full-size machine, you can easily use them to wash a few shirts in your hotel bathroom tub or sink. First, brush off as much dirt and grime from the shirt as you can. Second, soak the shirt in lukewarm water. Remove the shirt from the water and mix in a few shakes of the detergent, but not the whole packet. Then, soak the shirt in the mix. Be careful with your hands, however, as you are using a chemical-based detergent. Carefully remove the shirt and rinse it under the shower head, or drain the sink or tub and soak it again in cold, clean water. Let the shirt dry on a hanger from the shower rod or over a towel in the closet. If you don’t have a detergent handy then use a little (mild) bar soap mixed into the water. This may not remove any stains, but it will clean the shirt and give you a fresh scent in the morning.

FASHION DIY

The other perk of sending your shirts out is that you never have to touch an iron, which is time-consuming. Yet, this too begins to pay for itself over time. Many cleaners and laundry services use too much heat and effectively burn the fabric of your shirts. Soon the seams, collar and cuffs will look faded giving your shirt an uneven finish.

By doing the ironing yourself you can control the levels of heat and starch. Begin with the collars and cuffs, move to the arms and then the trunk of the shirt. In time, you’ll learn how to do this without thinking. Ironing your shirt in your hotel room will be easy after you’ve washed it in the sink. Some rooms come with an iron and board but no starch, which only means you’ll have to use the spray and steam button on the iron. The creases will not hold as long but it’ll do for traveling.

Other hotels would prefer you to send your shirts and items to their laundry service -- but this is costly and risky. And yes, a travel iron is all you need. They are easy to pack, cheap, simple to use, and could be just the right size for your apartment or office. Once you know how to wash and care for your shirts at home the rest is just a matter of knowing what to pack.