How to Clean a Crew Neck T-Shirt Without Ruining It

Quick answer

Turn your crew neck t-shirt inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and air dry or use low heat to preserve the fabric, print, and fit.

How to wash your crew neck t-shirt step by step

1. Turn the shirt inside out: This protects the printed design and the outer fabric from direct friction against the machine drum or other clothes. Always turn inside out before washing, even if the shirt is not printed.
2. Use cold water and a gentle cycle: Hot water causes cotton to shrink and colors to bleed. Select the delicate or gentle cycle on your machine to reduce agitation. Cold water also saves energy and works just as well for everyday soil.
3. Choose a mild detergent and skip bleach: Harsh detergents and chlorine bleach weaken cotton fibers and fade screenprinted ink. Use a liquid detergent labeled for delicates or cold wash. If you need stain treatment, dab a little detergent on the spot before washing—never rub directly on the print.
4. Air dry or tumble dry on low: High heat is the fastest way to shrink a cotton crew neck. Hang the shirt to dry on a line or rack, or use the lowest heat setting in the dryer and remove it while still slightly damp. Avoid wringing or twisting the wet shirt—this stretches the neckline and seams.
5. Remove promptly and fold, don’t hang: Leaving a damp shirt in the dryer can cause mildew odors. Once dry, fold the shirt rather than hanging it on a hanger, which can stretch the shoulders over time. If you do hang it, use a padded hanger and fold the shirt over the bar instead of hanging by the collar.

Product fact

• Squirrel Astronaut Crew Neck T-Shirt: This hand-drawn design is printed on a crew neck t-shirt using screenprinting methods. Screenprinted art needs gentle washing to keep the ink from cracking or peeling over time.