How to Wash a Dress Shirt

With proper care, custom dress shirts can last many years, making them a worthwhile investment in your wardrobe. To ensure their longevity and maintain their pristine condition, please follow the care instructions provided below meticulously. We recommend a gentle wash and press before your first wear to remove any remaining manufacturing residues and to achieve the perfect fit and finish. Additionally, regular maintenance, such as washing with mild detergents, avoiding harsh chemicals, and proper storage, will help preserve the quality and appearance of your shirts for years to come.

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Option #1: Professional Laundry

Your local dry cleaner is a great option for maintaining the quality of your clothes. Taking your garments, there will result in minimal shrinkage and allow you to keep your ironing board tucked away in the closet. When you take your clothes to the cleaners, they typically use water and detergent to clean them, which is often mistaken for dry cleaning. However, if you specifically request dry cleaning for the shirt, the cleaners will use a different process involving special solvents that don’t include water. This ensures a more delicate treatment for fabrics that require extra care.

Option #2: Wash at Home

We recommend a cold water wash for darker fabrics to help preserve their color and prevent fading. For white shirts or lighter colors, warm or hot water is acceptable, as these temperatures can help remove stains more effectively. To minimize shrinkage, it is best to let your shirt air dry on a sturdy hanger, which also helps maintain the garment’s shape. If you prefer to use a dryer, we recommend setting it to low heat and removing the shirt while it is still damp to further reduce the risk of shrinkage and wrinkling.

Regardless of whether you air dry or use a dryer, ironing the shirt while it is still damp will make the process easier and more efficient, ensuring a crisp and smooth finish. This practice also helps to keep shrinkage to a minimum.

It’s important to note that some fabrics have different care instructions, especially those that are not 100% cotton. These materials may require special handling to maintain their quality and longevity. Therefore, always check the care label on your specific shirt for any additional instructions and follow them accordingly to ensure the best results.

Shrinkage/Stretching and Other Considerations

Most fabrics shrink 1-3% over the first few washes. This is normal. We factor expected shrinkage into your shirt size, so please only evaluate fit after at least one wash. This ensures that you get a more accurate sense of how the shirt will fit in the long term.
Fabric shrinkage is most noticeable in the “length” areas, including the sleeves, collar, and overall body length. When you try on a new shirt, it’s important to remember that these areas will likely contract slightly after washing.
The way you care for a shirt can significantly impact how much it shrinks. Casual fabrics, such as cotton and linen, are often more susceptible to high rates of shrinkage if cared for improperly. For example, using high dryer heat or washing in hot water can cause the fabric to contract more than intended. Following the care instructions on the label can help mitigate this issue.
We have noticed an increasing trend of dry cleaners stretching shirts during their pressing process. This can make the shirt appear larger after cleaning. If you observe that your shirt seems bigger after a trip to the cleaners, ask your cleaners about their pressing process and request gentler handling to maintain the shirt’s original fit.

Other Important Tips

Remove collar stays before washing or ironing to prevent them from damaging the fabric.
Pre-treat stains with a stain remover or alert your cleaner to any spots that need special attention.
Hang your shirt on a wooden hanger when it’s not being worn to help maintain its shape and prevent wrinkles.
Try to avoid leaving shirts in the hamper for too long. Body oils can absorb into the shirt, resulting in yellowing around the collar, which can be difficult to remove.

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Conclusion

Properly washing a dress shirt requires attention to several crucial steps to ensure its quality and longevity. Begin by reading the care label and pre-treating any stains. Separate shirts by color and use a mild detergent with cold or warm water. Opt for a gentle machine cycle or hand wash if advised. Avoid using excessive detergent to prevent residue buildup. Air dry shirts on hangers to maintain their shape, or use a low heat setting if necessary. For best results, iron the shirts while they are slightly damp. By adhering to these guidelines, your dress shirts will remain clean, crisp, and ready for any occasion.

FAQs

How do you wash dress shirts?

For darker fabrics, we recommend washing them with cold water, while white shirts or lighter colors can be washed with warm or hot water. To prevent shrinkage, it’s best to air-dry your shirt on a sturdy hanger. If you opt for a dryer, use low heat and remove the shirt while it is still damp.

Should I hand-wash dress shirts?

To best care for any shirt, opt for machine washing with a mesh bag or hand washing whenever possible. This approach minimizes natural fabric wear and helps prevent broken or lost buttons. Be aware that industrial pressing at cleaners can lead to loosened, broken, or missing buttons.

Do dress shirts shrink after washing?

Shrinkage occurs gradually over time, and under normal conditions, your shirt fabric won’t suddenly shrink dramatically. There’s no need to panic. Typically, you’ll only notice it becoming slightly tighter after several washes.