HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR FAVORITE SHIRTS FOR LONG….

Cotton fabric is breathable and transmits moisture away from the body and is absorbent and removes unwanted fluid from the skin like a towel, according to Cotton Incorporated. Cotton allows you to remain comfortable as you exercise, keeping moisture from building up between your skin and clothing. The International Forum for Cotton Promotion states that cotton can take up to one-fifth of its weight in water before feeling damp.
Now, it becomes important to know how you can take due care of your garment and increase its longevity and prolong its finish.

  • Cotton fibrers will shrink unless the fabric has been preshrunk or processed, so always carefully read the washing instructions on the care label. "Cold water only" may signal that your shirt will shrink if not washed carefully.
  • Cotton items that are preshrunk may be washed in hot, warm or cold water, depending on the colour of the garment and the care label recommendations.
  • If care labels agree, add chlorine bleach to white cotton wash loads to remove stains; coloured cottons may be brightened by non-chlorine bleach formulated for coloured clothing.
  • Take care while drying your cotton shirts. Over drying cotton will encourage shrinkage.
  • Take care while drying your cotton shirts. Over drying cotton will encourage shrinkage; dry cotton garments at a lower heat and remove them from the dryer while still fairly cool.  Avoid drying your clothes on a wash line as hanging can inevitably stretch out their fabric.
  • If you are using the tumble dryer, do not leave your cotton items there until they are completely dry; instead, take them out while still a little damp and allow the moisture to evaporate gradually.
  • To prevent discolouration, wash shirts separately in cold water. To remove stains on your shirt, use a colour safe stain remover/stick to pre-treat your cotton garments in specific regions. Focus on the areas exposed to sweat and antiperspirant (the armpits and neckline areas) as well as on stain spots.
    This will not only help you combat staining, but will also help eradicate body odours.
    If the stain is fresh, run your item under the cold tap through the back of the stain for 3-5 minutes, and then rub the stain gently every minute or so. If the stain persists, repeat those actions 2 to 3 times.
    To remove older stains, rub in a small amount of liquid laundry detergent while the surface is still moist, and then leave it to set for 5-7 minutes. After, gently rub the stain between your fingers again to help loosen it, and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
    Alternative treatments suggest using vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide or color safe bleach, baking soda, alcohol, and even egg yolk.
  • Now, when it comes to ironing and creasing, you can iron cotton shirts at slight higher temperatures without the risk of getting sticker or burnt as cotton is comparatively a tough fabric.
    For a neater and smoother look, ensure you iron the back or inside of the fabric as well as the outside. Start ironing the underside, or inside the fabric first, so as to eliminate creases while ironing the outside.
  • Protect your shirts being eaten by pests  like moths and silverfish.Cotton is an organic fabric, like silk and wool, and absorbs sweat and natural oils from the skin very easily, hence it often becomes the prey of these home pests.
    In order to ensure that you favourite cotton shirts are safe, don’t leave your dirty clothes lying around for too long.
    Declutter your wardrobe frequently, and make more space between clothing means there’s less of a chance that moths can eat through multiple garments at once. Clean every corner of your wardrobe thoroughly.  This is where the moths and silverfish will be hiding.
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