Category Archives: Clothing Care / How To

Can I Take The Design Off My T-Shirt?

Leave a reply

From time to time people ask “Can I take the design off my T-shirt?” The short answer is no. If you happen to have a t-shirt that you no longer like and want to change it, there are things you can do, but taking the design off the shirt is not one of them. All the various processes that are used to print T-shirts result in a permanent design. Certain quality of prints do not wear as well as others and may look like they may be coming off or disintegrating, but if you try to remove them yourself, the result will be disastrous. In all likelihood, you will destroy the T-shirt in question by making holes and rips in it. However, even if you succeed in getting lettering or designs off a shirt without too much damage, you will be left with the outline of the design below in a different shade than the rest of the shirt. In short, it’ll be ugly!

If you have come to the point of hating the design of your shirt, you will be relieved to know that you have solutions other than taking the design off your shirt. You can dye the shirt to the predominant color in the design, so that it blends in with the shirt and is not noticeable. You may be able to find a printer who will print something over the existing design. You can also have something printed on another part of the shirt to correct the error. For example, if you have a great comfy T-shirt that says “I love George” but you just don’t anymore, you can have NOT added below the existing line and your tee is perfect again.

However, the logical solution to a T-shirt with a design you don’t like is to get rid of it and get a new one. Custom-made T-shirts are the perfect way to go if you are looking for a new T-shirt. You can choose one in the color and style you want. You can personalize it any way you like. You can hand choose your favorite new T-shirt made to your exact specifications. The list of what you can have printed on a custom-made T-shirt is endless. Here is just a sample of the things you can print on a custom tee:
•    a picture of your favorite person
•    information about a cause you believe in
•    a picture of your favorite thing, animal, place, food, sport, etc.
•    a cartoon
•    dance steps
•    your personal slogan
•    your name
•    your feelings or mood
•    things you love
•    things you hate
•    your nationality
•    a flag or map of a country, state or city
•    your accomplishments
•    your goals
•    your religious beliefs
•    advice to others

Get yourself a new favorite T-shirt today. Have it custom-made in the design you want that says exactly what you want it to say. As for the tee with the design you no longer like, find it a new home! Surely someone will like it.

Makeup Be Gone! Tips on Removing Makeup Stains from Your Favorite T-Shirt

Leave a reply

Let’s face it – we’ve all had this happen to us at some point or another. You’re getting ready for a big night out with a new date, or a fun day of shopping with your best girlfriend, when suddenly – whoops! Your makeup has gone from on your face to all over your most treasured t-shirt. As if that isn’t bad enough, you only have five minutes remaining until your friend or date shows up. If this has happened to you, don’t panic! There are simple and inexpensive tricks to use that can easily remove any makeup stain from your t-shirt – and many of the items you may already have stashed in your fridge or beauty cabinet. So before you decide to change your t-shirt, try a few of these shortcuts and watch how quickly those stubborn makeup stains will disappear!

Grab a makeup sponge or a slice of bread.
No, you’re not going to be making a sandwich. Makeup sponges and bread (white works best) are some of the most effective materials for erasing stubborn makeup stains, as they act as natural absorbers that soak up oil and powder. Gently rub the sponge or slice of bread on the makeup stain for maximum effect. Makeup sponges are also highly effective against dreaded deodorant stains, so make sure to always keep a stash in your purse!

Raid your kitchen cupboard.
Is that stain still refusing to give up without a fight? Head to your kitchen cupboard and grab a bottle of white vinegar and a light-colored washcloth. Pour just a bit of vinegar onto the cloth and gently dab at the stain until it completely disappears. Remember, vinegar should not be used on cotton material, so be sure to check your t-shirt’s label before using this method!

Get out the shaving cream.
Sounds peculiar, but shaving cream (not gel) is one of the most effective stain-fighters out there. Apply a bit of cream to a light-colored cloth (remember to never use dark colors, as this can bleed into your t-shirt’s fabric) and dab at the stain. Once you’ve completely covered the stain with shaving cream, rinse it out with a bit of club soda. Club soda acts as a great stain remover, but if you don’t have any on hand, water is fine as well. Be sure not to dry out your t-shirt until the stain is completely removed, as this can cause the stain to set in.

When all else fails…
If these neat little home tricks haven’t worked, grab a stain-remover pen (you can find them at your nearest pharmacy or grocery store) and dab the tip onto the stain. Be sure to follow all directions for maximum stain-fighting power.

As you can see, makeup stains don’t necessarily spell doom for your favorite t-shirt, especially with all the home remedies and stain-fighting products that are available today. All it takes is a little creativity – and a bit of patience! – and that stubborn makeup stain will disappear in no time at all!

How to Make the Print on a T-Shirt Last Longer

Leave a reply

Most print used on t-shirts today is superior to the print used decades ago. That print wore off easily, leading to the crackled appearance that appeared after just a couple of washings. Today’s t-shirt print can still fade after a number of washings. The print can be made to last longer with a little bit of extra care.

The print on a t-shirt usually fades from being washed. The key, then, is to take care during each washing and to make sure that the t-shirt is washed as gently as possible. Rubbing up against other clothing in the wash is one of the causes of fading during washing. The repeated friction of the t-shirt against other items can be avoided with one simple step. Start the special treatment by turning the t-shirt inside out. This will minimize the contact that the printed area has with other items in the same load.

The temperature of the water when the t-shirt is being washed is also a factor. For an especially dirty shirt, most people want to wash it in hot water to get rid of all the dirt. This hot water, however, can contribute to the print fading before it should. Hot water is hard on clothes of any type, and printed clothes can particularly feel the effects of it. Try washing the t-shirt in cold water instead. If this isn’t enough to get the dirt out of the t-shirt, try to soak the shirt first to loosen the dirt. You might also try a pre-treatment that is rubbed into the fabric to help fight the stains. A pre-treatment will not be as hard on the t-shirt as hot water and may actually lead to the dirt coming out of the shirt more easily.

Drying clothes in a clothes dryer is one of the fastest ways to break down the print. The dryer uses heat and movement to dry the clothes. Not only will the heat start to break down the print, the fast tumbling creates a friction that can help wear it out faster. To prevent this, try tumbling the shirt without the heat setting. You might also try lying the t-shirt flat to dry or letting it drip dry instead of putting it in the dryer at all. Hanging it to dry may change the shape of the shirt, however, so many people prefer to let their t-shirt lie flat.

A printed t-shirt that is often exposed to direct sunlight will also fade faster than one that isn’t. To some extent, this can’t be helped. There will certainly be times when a t-shirt is exposed to sunlight. And normal sunlight in the course of an outing won’t fade the lettering. However, a t-shirt that is often worn to outdoor sporting events will look faded before it ordinarily would. The key for thee occasions, then, is to rotate the t-shirts that are worn to these events. Having two t-shirts for weekend baseball games, then, is a much better way to preserve the print than wearing the same one each week.

How to Prevent My Cotton T-Shirts from Shrinking

3 Replies

The best known characteristics of cotton are that it is natural, breathable, comfortable, and that it shrinks. A new t-shirt made from 100 percent cotton or close to 100 percent, can be expected to shrink a little after the first wash. However, there are ways to get the t-shirt to remain at its original size and to keep shrinkage at bay. It takes a little special care, but a cotton t-shirt can be kept from shrinking for as long as you own it.

The way that the t-shirt is washed will largely determine whether it shrinks and how much it shrinks. One of the main causes of shrinking in t-shirts is heat. It’s important to try to avoid applying heat to your t-shirts if you want to keep them at their original size. There are a few ways to avoid heat and keep the cotton from shrinking.

The first thing to consider when avoiding heat is how the t-shirt will be washed. Most people wash t-shirts in warm or hot water to rid it of odors and to get rid of the tougher stains. The problem with this is that the entire t-shirt will suffer for the small portion that really needs the attention. If there is a tough stain on a part of the shirt, use a little soap and cold water in the sink. Simply rub the soap across the area and rub the t-shirt repeatedly under the running water. This will get most things out of the fabric as long as they have not had a long period to set.

When you wash the entire shirt, use only cold water. Once you’ve used warm water on it even once, it will be too late to save it from shrinkage. The cold water will wash the t-shirt and will not cause it to shrink. Use a slow agitation as well when washing the shirt. If there is a slow or delicate cycle on the washer, it will provide the slow agitation that the t-shirt needs.

Drying the t-shirt is where many people accidently shrink their shirts. A hot dryer will shrink cotton that has not already been pre-shrunk. The dryer must be avoided in order to prevent shrinking. The t-shirt can be dried in a number of other ways. If it is hung out in the sun, there is a chance that the heat will shrink the t-shirt. Drying it inside is a much safer way.

The t-shirt can be laid flat on a clean surface and allowed to dry on its own. You may have to flip it over to dry the other side after a few hours. For a t-shirt that dries faster, hang it up on a hanger and allow it to drip dry. Be sure to place something under the t-shirt in order to catch the water. For an even faster drying time, place a fan next to a hanging t-shirt and let the cool air of the fan blow it dry. A t-shirt that doesn’t shrink will maintain its size and shape through many, many cold washes.

How Many Washes Will My T-Shirt Last?

Leave a reply

A favorite t-shirt is one of the cornerstones of any wardrobe. And, as such an important garment, it is important that it lasts a long time. The more often a t-shirt is worn and washed, the more wear it will have. A shirt that is worn rarely will always last longer than a t-shirt that is worn more often.

The guideline given for many t-shirts is that they will remain in good condition through about 50 washes as long as they are taken care of. However, a t-shirt can go through many more than 50 washes if the t-shirt is washed gently and not put into a dryer. The heat of the dryer is often what causes much of the wear to t-shirts and other garments.

The problem that usually occurs as clothing ages is that the fabric gets thinner and eventually holes develop. The dryer can make this happen sooner by making some of the threads come loose. If you’ve ever looked at your drier lint, you’ve seen how much of your clothes the dryer really pulls out of the garments. All of that lint was once a part of the garments, and each one dried will be slightly thinner because of it. No matter how a t-shirt is washed, it will last for more of those washings if it is not dried in a drier.

Another option to get more washes out of a t-shirt is to tumble dry your clothes instead of using the heat setting. This will let some air circulation dry out the clothes but will not blast them with the hot air that can cause them to age sooner than they need to.

To get still more life out of a t-shirt, it is possible to go without washing it after every wear. If the shirt has been worn for a short event, it might be able to be put away without washing it. Another trick it to not wash the t-shirt for a complete cycle, but rather to rinse it out in the sink. Rubbing the shirt with a little soap and then rinsing it off will cause less wear to it than washing it through a full wash cycle. After hand rinsing the shirt, lay it flat to dry.

There is no reason that a t-shirt that is well taken care of can’t last 100 washes or even more. A shirt will last through more washes if it is not washed on a fast washing cycle and the harshest detergents are avoided. Using bleach is certain to shorten the life of a t-shirt. A shirt that is consistently washed in bleach may last less than 10 washings. Using a gentler detergent, however, will dramatically increase that number.

To put it simply, there is no expiration date on a t-shirt. The number of washes it lasts is partly dependent on how the t-shirt is cared for and how it is washed. Caring for a t-shirt and spending a little extra time in the washing and drying process can make it last a lot longer.

How to Remove Lint From Your T-shirt

Leave a reply

Removing lint from a t-shirt can be a never-ending task. Trying to keep your t-shirts free of lint and in perfect condition may seem like a fulltime job. Keeping lint from your t-shirts is also one of the ways to keep your clothing, especially t-shirts, from fading and wearing over time. Proper lint removal techniques will make your clothing last long enough to give you plenty of enjoyment.

Using packaging tape, you can quickly and efficiently remove the lint without damaging you t-shirt. Place the t-shirt on a table or bed. Wrap the tape around your hand with the sticky side out. Using light pressure, slowly run the tape down the t-shirt. You can also pat at the t-shirt with the tape if you prefer, but rolling the tape seems to keep the shirt from moving too much during the process.

Another great way to remove lint is by using a hairbrush and Velcro. This tip is especially great while traveling. Buy some stick-on Velcro tabs. Put the hooked side of the tab on the back of your brush while leaving the fuzzy side on. When you need to de-lint a garment you will be ready. Pull the fuzzy side of the Velcro off and brush the hooks over the garment. The Velcro will remove the lint and hair quickly and easily. To remove the debris from the Velcro, rub it against the grain. You can then reattach the fuzzy side to the hooked side to keep the Velcro clean while not in use and prevent the Velcro from attaching itself to other items in your bags.

There are also plenty of products available on the market to help with lint removal. There are lint rollers that have a sticky substance on them that the lint attaches to. Another product is a lint removal brush. This product is very similar to the Velcro suggestion above. The brush is swept over the clothing and traps the lint. However, unlike the homemade version, this brush is said to be self-cleaning. You simply slide a lever and the lint is removed and trapped inside the storage unit until you are ready to empty it into the trash.

Lint removal mitts are also easy to use. They are essentially mittens that attract the lint all over, rather than onto a small area like a brush. The idea behind the mitt is to be able to simply brush your clothing like you normally would with your hands, but adding a mitt to make removing the lint easy.

While a product like those above may work, one way to keep lint down is through proper dryer lint filter cleaning. By making sure that the lint filter in your dryer is cleaned after (or before) each load, your dryer will work properly and keep the lint to a minimum. Your lint filter is designed to trap as much of the lint as possible, before it ends up all over your clothing. So keep your dryer lint filter clean so you will have less lint to remove later.

How to Remove Ring-Around-the-Collar from Your T-Shirts

Leave a reply

There are certain things that are just extra difficult to clean when it comes to laundry. One of those involves T-shirts and is referred to as ring-around-the-collar. It is a stain created usually by the sweat of the neck coming into contact with the collar area of the T-shirt. Unfortunately, sweat stains most T-shirt fabrics, leaving an oily, organic stain that is difficult to clean. However there is still hope. You can get it clean and there are even a couple of different ways to do so.

Method #1
Use an old toothbrush to apply degreaser to the collar area of the T-shirt. Gently rub in the degreaser. Put the T-shirts in cool water in the washer with oxygenated detergent afterwards. After the shirts agitate a little to ensure that they are covered with water, turn off the washer and let the shirts sit overnight in it. In the morning restart the washer and let the cycle finish.  Check to be sure the stain is completely gone, if not repeat the process. Dry as usual.

Method #2
Purchase a lanolin-based hand cleaner in a hardware store or department store. This is the type of cleaners that mechanics use to clean oil and grease from their hands. Apply it to the collar of the T-shirt and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash the shirts as usual. If the stain is not completely gone, reapply lanolin cleaner and rub gently, then rewash the T-shirt.

Method #3
For white T-shirts, make a paste using dishwasher detergent and hot water. Then apply to the collar and let it soak for a while. Wash as usual. This is not for use on colored T-shirts as it will bleach them.

Method #4
It is important to properly pre-treat ring around the collar before laundering your T-shirts. In a spray bottle mix together 2 parts household ammonia, 2 parts water and one part mild liquid detergent. Spray the mixture on the affected collar and gently rub it in using a towel or a soft brush. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wash as usual. If a yellow mark is left you will need to remove it with bleach. This is another method that works best on white T-shirts.

Method #5
Pre-treat the collar of the T-shirt with shampoo, a grease-fighting dish detergent, lemon juice or white vinegar. Gently rub it into the stain, let sit for a while and then wash in the warmest temperature recommended for the shirt.

Before you do any of these methods do a spot check on a hidden part of the shirt to make sure the treatment method is safe for the fabric.

Another way to deal with really bad ring around the collar is to use the T-shirt for cleaning purposes and buy some new ones. Get brand new custom-made T-shirts in any design you wish and remember to pre-treat the collar with a laundry pre-treatment before washing to avoid bad cases of ring around the collar.

Get a new custom-made T-shirt today and eliminate any ring-around-the-collar worries, at least for a while.

T-shirt Care and How to Make Your T-Shirt Last Longer

Leave a reply

The great thing about T-shirts is that they are reasonably affordable and can be customized to suit and personality. They also come in an amazing array of colors, styles, sleeve lengths, fabrics. Not to mention the multitude of different pictures and fonts that can be applied to the front and back of the shirt.

The one downside of T-shirts is that they have a tendency to wear out faster than, say, a jacket or skirt. Steady T-shirt wearers can expect about two years of wearability before the T-shirt starts to fade, rip, pill or otherwise look less than its best but it really depends on how often you wear the t-shirt.

You can halt this deterioration a variety of ways. First, when you put on the shirt, avoid yanking it over your head, stretching around your shoulders and shoving down to your waist. That continuous action is ruinous for the seams.

Also, make sure you buy the right size T-shirt to fit your frame. A person who feels their shirt is too tight will be constantly pulling it away from “trouble spots,” stretching it where it shouldn’t be stretched in order to make it “feel” better. Well, it might feel better, but an honest look in the mirror will tell you that it looks terrible.

A great-fitting shirt should feel just that – great.

You should wash the shirt in cool water with a color-protecting detergent. Make sure you wash it inside-out to protect the design (it’s a good idea to wash all of your clothes inside out as well). Stay alert! Pay attention to the washing machine cycle so you can pull it out as soon as it’s completed its final spin. Dry it in the dryer using the “normal settings.”

White T-shirts that have been worn often will eventually start forming yellowish stains around the collar and armpits. These stains are caused by sweat and deodorant, so a good way to combat this is to wait until your underams are completely dry before putting it on. Then, launder the shirt as soon as you’re done wearing it. It helps to use anti-stain products, but for stubborn discolorations, try making a paste from a super-detergent such as OxyClean. Let it sit for a while and then launder as usual.

Sometimes, though, a shirt cannot be saved and, beloved as it may be, wearing a stained T-shirt is mighty unsightly.

Finally, and this happens to the best of us, we don’t remember to remove the T-shirt from the dryer in time and it wrinkles. Or, it ends up stuffed in a drawer and it wrinkles. Or – well you get the picture. T-shirts have tendency to wrinkle, but that’s an easy enough fix.

Just set your iron to “low” or “cotton” and carefully iron them out. Be careful, though. Many a decal, iron-on transfer or custom designed logo has been ruined by an overheated, overzealous ironer. Remember to keep the shirt turned inside out, or place a towel over the trouble spot and try to unkink the wrinkle using patience and pressure.

How to Keep Your T-shirt from Fading

Leave a reply

One of the most common problems with t-shirts is fading. You wear your favorite shirt so often that the constant washing can cause the colors to fade and end up looking ragged and dull. Keeping your t-shirt colors bright can be a troublesome challenge. However there are a few things you can do to keep them from fading.

Before you wash your shirt, ensure that you have sorted all clothing by color to prevent your bleeding colors damaging lighter cloth. As you sort, be sure to read the label of each garment. If your t-shirt says that it needs to be washed in only cold water, you will already be prepared. There may also be special instructions if you have a printed graphic on your shirt. Washing your lighter weight clothes such as cotton t-shirts with heavier and coarse fabrics such as denim can cause damage, so wash them separately. When pre-treating your favorite t-shirt, avoid rubbing the fabric vigorously. Instead, blot the spot gently and allow the garment to soak in cool water for 15 minutes.

During the wash, make sure that you read the items washing instructions. As a general rule of thumb, darker and brighter fabrics are better washed in cool water, since hot water can cause the dye to release from the fabric causing fading and bleeding onto other garments. Washing the t-shirt inside out will also help protect it from the dreaded fading and pilling which can cause a dull look. Never overstuff the washer. Allow room in the washer to allow the clothing to circulate, helping prevent damage. An overstuffed washer can prevent the soap from rinsing out, causing a dull and faded look.

Once your t-shirt is washed, you can’t slack off yet. Fading can also happen during the drying phase, so take precautions. During the dry cycle, keep the t-shirt inside out. This is especially important if you shirt has something printed on it, as it can help keep your picture or saying in place as well as prevent it from cracking and fading. Overstuffing the dryer can cause severe damage to clothing so avoid putting too much in at one time. Do not over-dry the garments. Too much heat causes damage resulting in faded clothing over time. Setting your timer and pulling clothes out while still slightly damp will help prevent fading. If you line dry, avoid direct sunlight. The direct rays can cause damage and make your black shirt look gray after a while.

Taking care of your clothes by washing and drying them properly is a great way to ensure you will be able to wear them for a while. While it may take a little extra effort on your part, you will save money by having to buy clothing less often, since they won’t be damaged so quickly. You can avoid all the fading a dullness that plagues t-shirts with just a few extra minutes during laundry time. Your favorite t-shirt is irreplaceable, so take care of it. You will be glad you did.

Using Bleach on T-Shirts

Leave a reply

Everyone has T-shirts in their wardrobe and some of us have numerous T-shirts. Taking good care of them is important to making sure they look good, so that you will want to continue to wear them. For the most part, T-shirts are easy to care for, because they are simply wash and wear type garments. Simply toss them into the washing machine and dryer, or hang them to dry, and they are ready to wear. Ironing is usually a personal choice when it comes to T-shirts, especially if you use a dryer, because they usually come out wrinkle-free.

However, from time to time your T-shirts start to look grungy or have stains from who knows where. You can either toss them out, use them for cleaning rags or make an attempt at cleaning them up so you can continue enjoying them. Sometimes we get so attached to our T-shirts that we want to keep enjoying them as long as possible. The key to cleaning them up when they get to that sorry state is usually bleach. The first thing to do is check the care label inside the shirt to see what its recommendations on bleach are. If there is nothing warning against it, then go ahead and use bleach in your washer to clean those nasty T-shirts.

Chlorine bleach can be used on white T-shirts that have no warnings against it. It is the most powerful and effective type of bleach available. A little will definitely go a long way in cleaning a T-shirt. In fact to do it properly, you should pour a measured amount of bleach into your washer with your laundry detergent, and then fill the washer with water. Only after the bleach has been diluted should you add your clothing. Run the washer as usual. Just running one cycle with bleach added may be enough to clean your T-shirt properly. If not, try the same process again, but after your T-shirt agitates in the bleach water, turn it off and let it soak. Then let it finish the cycle. Your shirt should be super clean. Be careful not to let a T-shirt sit in bleach for too long and do not pour bleach directly onto it. Doing so may result in the bleach eating up the fabric and you will have defeated the whole purpose.

If you have a colored T-shirt or a white T-shirt that says not to use chlorine bleach on the label, you can opt for color-safe bleach. Use it in the same way you would regular bleach and you clothes will definitely come cleaner than with detergent alone. Do not expect the dramatic results that chlorine bleach can provide however, because it is just not as strong. There is now a special bleach on the market for dark clothes to guard against color fading.

Another thing to keep in mind when using any kind of bleach is to test it first on a hidden part of the garment. Doing so may help you avoid ruining an item of clothing that you like. Sometimes, even if the label does not warn against bleach, it can still harm certain things.

Get a custom-made T-shirt today to replace the ones that time or bleach have worn out on you. With the endless possibilities of things to print on one, you can have fun creating a personalized, totally unique new favorite T-shirt.

Is My T-shirt preshrunk? It Pays to Know

Leave a reply

Most T-shirts today are preshrunk. It just makes sense to have them sold that way. You get the benefit of knowing more accurately how your shirt will fit once you get it home, wash it and want to wear it. It also gives the fabric a much softer feel and anything printed on it will be more accurately positioned if the shirt is preshrunk.

When fabric is preshrunk prior to production it is much more accurate to work with during sewing. T-shirt fabric is preshrunk in huge batches in specially designed washing machines and dryers that are used solely for these purposes. It is done in order to remove excess dyes and chemicals, bring the fabric closer to the actual size it will be once the consumer gets it and make it more pliable for working with.

The best and easiest way to find out if your T-shirt is preshrunk is by reading the tags. Usually tags attached to the shirt for sales purposes will tell you if the item is preshrunk. The inside tag with size and laundry directions may also tell you. Preshrunk T-shirts are a sign of higher quality manufacturing. The maker of the shirt wants to produce a better quality garment and has therefore added a step to the production process that will insure that.

Regardless of whether or not your T-shirt is pre-shrunk, there is usually still room for more shrinkage. This is particularly true with T-shirts that are 100% cotton or a cotton-blend with a high percentage of cotton. Therefore, you should keep the shrinkage factor in mind when you are purchasing even preshrunk T-shirts. Buy them a little larger than you like to wear them and then wash them when you get them home to bring them down to the size that you want them to be. Be careful to purchase the correct size with this in mind because many retailers will not return items that have been washed.

It is so frustrating to buy a shirt that you really like and wear it, only to discover that it is not preshrunk. When you wash it for that first time, it shrinks and you can no longer wear the shirt anymore, or you can but are not as comfortable in it, because it has lost the shape and size you wanted. It is an annoying and costly mistake when you buy a shirt that is not preshrunk and you only get to wear it once. T-shirts that are not preshrunk, especially cotton ones, may as well be called disposable shirts or shrink and wear shirts, so that the consumer is aware of what he or she is getting.

When you are looking for a custom-made T-shirt, your best choice is a preshrunk shirt. Whatever you choose to have printed on it will turn out better and will be more naturally placed. Your custom-made T-shirt will show its high quality by how good it looks and how long it will last. Make the smart choice and get a custom-made preshrunk T-shirt today.

How to Preserve Your Autographed T-shirt

2 Replies

Having an autographed t-shirt is special. Whether that t-shirt is signed by a famous person or just by some of your greatest friends you will want to take care of you shirt to have it for a long time. Without taking proper precautions to preserve your autographed t-shirt, you run the risk of having it wear out, fade and destroyed. Taking care of your t-shirt will allow you to enjoy it for years and depending on the autograph allowing you to profit from it later.

If your shirt has been signed in permanent marker you may be able to preserve it easier than if the ink is from a regular pen. One way to protect your autographed shirt is by not washing it obviously! However, that isn’t very fun, so thankfully there are a few other ideas that may help you keep your autograph from fading. One suggestion is to cover the autograph with a clear paint designed for fabrics. This paint may allow the autograph to remain unscathed during washing. One suggestions however, test it on another piece of fabric over the same type of ink and wash several times to ensure it will work for your t-shirt.

Another great option is to simply hand wash the t-shirt with very mild soap such as Woolite or detergent designed for baby clothes. You can also use the gentle cycle if you prefer, but run the risk of the machine damaging the shirt. Do not dry in the dryer though as that might harm the ink. Instead, lay flat to dry or hang on a line in the shade until dry. Craftgaurd is also a product that can be sprayed over the signature to help protect it. This is available at most craft and fabric stores. For best results though washing on the gentle cycle might be warranted.

The best way to ensure the autograph will not fade is to simply not wash it. Hang it in a frame under glass to admire it on your wall. There are also companies that will preserve your clothing in a box that is designed to keep all air and bugs out to keep the clothing in near perfect condition. This option can be quite expensive though and may not work the way you want it to. If you choose to use a preservation company make sure to investigate the company to ensure that they offer the exact services you require.

Not wearing the shirt really is the best way to keep your t-shirt from fading or staining, ruining the effect the autograph provides. Preserving your autographed t-shirt will allow you to enjoy your collectible for years to come. You may even profit from the shirt later on if the autograph becomes worth money. So take your time and choose what method works best for your needs. If you choose to wear your shirt, take your time in washing it with gentle detergents and don’t put it through a dryer. Your shirt is your memory of that particular event in your life and will be a reminder for years to come.

How to Remove Deodorant Stains from the Underarms of Black T-Shirts

3 Replies

There is nothing quite as noticeable and embarrassing as underarm deodorant stains on a black T-shirt. It always seems to happen when we are in a rush or going somewhere special or with your absolute favorite black T-shirt. To make things worse, it’s not easy to remove such stains and you need to pay particular attention when laundering the item. Below you will find some tips on making sure you get rid of those annoying marks. There are also some emergency tips to get rid of them when you have nothing to change into or have already left home before you realize that you have deodorant streaks.

When washing your black T-shirt, follow these great tips to get rid of deodorant stains.

Option #1
Put ammonia on a cloth or paper towel and apply it to the stain as a treatment to remove the white deodorant stain. Wash as usual. Be careful not to inhale the ammonia.

Option #2
Apply enzyme activated laundry detergent to the stain and let it sit for a while, before laundering the T-shirt in more of the same detergent.

Option #3
Remove the T-shirt as soon as possible to clean it. Pre-treat the area with a commercially made stain treatment or a mixture of liquid laundry detergent and water and gently rub the area. Wash the shirt in the hottest water possible.

Option #4
The environmentally friendly way to remove deodorant stains from black T-shirts is with salt. Wet the area with the stain and pour some table salt on it, rub it into the stain to erase it. Then add a little extra salt to the wash water and wash the shirt as usual. A pricier version, but still environmentally friendly, is to use vodka as a pre-treatment on deodorant stains and rub it in a little. If the stain has been there a while, you may need to let the vodka sit on it for a couple of hours. Wash as usual.

If you need the stain off now because you want to wear the black T-shirt, there is an immediate fix to the problem. Take a black cotton sock and rub the deodorant stain until it comes out. Sounds too easy to be true. Try it and see. Turning the T-shirt inside out and rubbing the deodorant stain with the inside of the fabric will usually remove the stain too. Do not try removing the stain with water and paper towels, because this only leads to disaster. Little white fibers will be stuck to your black shirt from the paper towel and when the water dries the stain will still be there.

So now that you have the inside edge on getting rid of those nasty white streaks that deodorant can leave on your favorite black T-shirt, you are ready to start wearing it every chance you get. Get yourself some new custom-made black T-shirts too, because they are always in style. Then wear them confidently knowing that your deodorant is not ruining your look.

How to Get Beer Stains Out of T-Shirts

Leave a reply

Got beer stains on your favorite T-shirt? What’s a beer lover to do? There are many different recommended ways however some of my personal favorites involve not removing it at all. You can make a note in fabric paint about where you were/what you were doing when you got your beer stain. Wash it as usual without treating the beer stain and then use the tee as your official beer-drinking shirt. You can even mark future beer stains similarly until your T-shirt becomes a souvenir of many a party. If you are serious about removing beer stains though, two popular methods are outlined below.

Technique #1

If you really do want to remove beer stains from your T-shirt, here is one method of how to do so. As soon as possible after the spill occurs, remove the shirt. Rinse it thoroughly with cold water from the inside of the shirt, to remove as much of the stain as possible. Then make a mixture of liquid laundry detergent and cold water and apply it to the beer stain for a minimum of 5 minutes, then rinse. If the stain is still visible, make a mixture of 1 part vinegar with 2 parts of water and apply that to it carefully. Rinse it out immediately because if not, the vinegar will bleach the shirt. Wash as usual, according to the instructions on the tag of the T-shirt.

Technique #2

Another highly recommended method also involves vinegar. Rinse the shirt in cold water as soon as possible after the stain occurs and keep the shirt wet until the stain is gone or you may inadvertently let it set in. Mix together a stain treatment that consists of 2 cups of cold water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent. The key is choosing the right dishwashing detergent; make sure it is clear or white in color, has no bleach, perfumes, or moisturizers. Lightly apply the mixture to the stain with a white or light-colored cloth. Do not rub it in, as the rubbing action may damage the fabric. Wash as usual. This mixture is a great pre-treatment for most food and beverage stains.

In reality, beer is a relatively easy stain to remove. However, it can be more difficult if it is one of the darker beers, because there is more pigment to remove. Here are some additional beer stain removal tips to keep in mind. You should definitely not use hot water when attempting to remove a beer stain as it will instead cause the stain to set in. Using bar soap also makes it more difficult to remove beer stains, so stick with liquid detergents. Be patient but act quickly and use one of the two techniques described above and in no time, your favorite T-shirt will be beer stain free.

Better yet, get yourself a custom-made T-shirt and have it printed with something fun like “My official beer drinking shirt,” “Ask me where I got these beer stains,” or “Like my clean shirt? Ask me how to remove beer stains.”

Wash and Wear or Not to Wash and Wear T-Shirts? – That is the Question

Leave a reply

Do you need to wash your T-shirt before you wear it for the very first time? That is very much a debatable question. Ask a group of people and you will get some who say yes and others who say no and many who will say does it even matter. In reality, washing your new T-shirt before you wear it for the first time is a good idea for several reasons.

Often there is excess dye in T-shirts and other clothing items. By washing them before wearing them for the first time, you will remove the most of the extra dye and will not have the problem of the dye rubbing onto other clothes and your skin. Just be careful to wash the shirt by itself for the first wash, especially if it is a vivid or unusual color. If you want to set the color and make sure it does not run or lose its vividness, many people suggest adding a cup of vinegar to the water during the first wash.

Most T-shirts now come preshrunk, however there is still some room for additional shrinkage, which needs to be taken into account when you purchase a tee. Washing it before you wear it ensures that the T-shirt is at the right size you want it to be, since often we buy them a little large. This is particularly true if the T-shirt is 100% cotton. Another tip to keep in mind is in order to keep your T-shirt looking its best, reduce visible wear and protect anything that is printed on it, T-shirts should be turned inside out for washing and drying.

Another reason to wash T-shirts or any clothing before wearing it is because it has been manipulated in a variety of places from manufacturing to packaging to the retail store. It may have come into contact with all types of germs or unhygienic conditions. If you have allergies like one to dust mites, it is even more important to wash your T-shirts before wearing them. There may even be chemicals on the shirt that may cause sensitivities. Pay particular attention to washing clothes before wearing them if you tend to have skin conditions like eczema, any contact allergies and skin sensitivities.

Many people suggest that you should wash a T-shirt, or any item of clothes before you wear it simply because you don’t know who tried it on before you. (This may also be a good reason not to try on clothes at all before buying, but we all do that.) By buying custom-made T-shirts from a company that produces them just for you and sends them directly to your home, you don’t have to worry about that. They haven’t been hanging around in a store and no one has tried them on before you.

Get yourself a custom-made T-shirt today, made exactly how you want it to be. Just don’t forget to wash it before you wear it!