1. Pre-Wash Preparation

• Turn it inside out: This is the single most important step. It protects the exterior color and shields any appliqué embroidery, screen prints, or delicate puff prints from scraping against the washing machine drum or other clothes.
• Wash like with like: Wash heavy cottons with other heavy cottons, and keep colors separated. Don't wash tees with heavy denim, hoodies with zippers, or anything with velcro that can cause micro-tears in the fabric.

2. The Wash Cycle

• Always use cold water: Stick to temperatures under 30°C (85°F). Hot water breaks down cotton fibers, fades dark colors (especially cinematic or moody dark dyes), and causes shrinkage that ruins an intentional, boxy silhouette.
• Choose a delicate cycle: A slower spin speed reduces the physical stress on the garment.
• Skip the fabric softener: Softeners leave a chemical coating that degrades printing inks over time and makes the cotton less breathable. Stick to a high-quality, mild liquid detergent.

3. Drying (The Danger Zone)

• Never tumble dry: The heat from a dryer is the fastest way to crack graphics, melt puff print, and shrink heavyweight fabrics.
• Air dry only: Lay the t-shirt flat on a drying rack to maintain its exact shape. If you must hang it to dry, use a thick, contoured hanger. Thin wire or plastic hangers will create permanent stretched "nipples" in the shoulders, especially on heavier 500gsm fabrics where the sheer weight of the wet cotton pulls the garment down.

4. Ironing and Storage

• Steam, don't iron: A garment steamer relaxes wrinkles without compressing the fibers. If you must use an iron, keep the shirt inside out and use the lowest heat setting. Never iron directly over a print, as it will instantly melt or warp.
• Fold heavy tees: While lighter shirts can be hung, oversized or heavyweight tees should be folded and stacked. Hanging them long-term causes the neckband to stretch and the shoulders to sag under their own weight.