Dress shirts are a wardrobe essential. Wearing them to the office, a black-tie affair, or even just as part of your regular style, keeping them clean and pressed is a must. Dress shirts properly washed can help to prolong their life, preserve their crispiness, and help you look sharp. In this guide by Lux Line Attire, we’ll explore three methods to wash a dress shirt, answer common questions, and provide tips to ensure your dress shirts last as long as possible.
Method 1: “Wash and Press” at the Cleaners
One of the easiest ways to get your dress shirts clean is by sending them to a professional cleaner for a “wash and press” service. This is how it goes:
Step 1: Take Your Shirt at a Trustworthy Cleaner
Look for a dry cleaner or laundromat with good reviews and a reputation for handling dress shirts with care. If possible, inquire about their washing process to ensure they use gentle detergents.
Step 2: The Professional Process
• The shirt is washed in a commercial washing machine with high-grade detergents.
• It is then ironed on a professional steam press, which removes wrinkles and provides the shirt with a crisp finish.
Step 3: Pick Up and Store Appropriately
• When picking up your shirts, inspect for any lingering stains or tears.
• Hang them on strong hangers to keep their shape.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wash and Press
Advantages: Convenient, professional look, time-saving.
Disadvantages: Ongoing expense, chemicals can degrade fabric over time.
Method 2: Wash the Shirt Yourself at Home
If you like doing things yourself or wish to save money, washing dress shirts at home is a good option. Here’s how:
Step 1: Pre-Treat Any Stains
Pre-wash inspection for stains and treat them with a stain remover or baking soda and water mixture. Leave it on for 15 minutes before washing.
Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Detergent and Settings
•Choose a mild, high-quality detergent.
•Wash in a gentle or delicate cycle using cold or lukewarm water to avoid fabric damage.
•In case of washing several shirts, separate light and dark colors to avoid bleeding.
Step 3: Wash and Rinse Properly
•Wash shirts in a mesh laundry bag for extra protection.
•Where possible, utilize an extra rinse cycle to get rid of all detergent residue.
Step 4: Drying
• Best practice: Air-dry on a drying rack or clothes hanger to avoid shrinkage.
• Alternative: Dry on low for a few minutes, then immediately hang up.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Washing
Advantages: Inexpensive, easy, kinder to fabric.
Disadvantages: Time and effort-consuming, shrinkage if not careful.
Method 3: “Dry Clean” at the Cleaners
Certain dress shirts, particularly those with sensitive fabrics such as silk or linen, need to be dry cleaned. Here’s the process:
Step 1: Drop Off at a Dry Cleaner
Look for a good dry cleaner that has experience with formalwear and sensitive fabrics.
Step 2: The Dry Cleaning Process
• Dry cleaning employs a chemical solvent rather than water to clean the fabric.
• The shirt is steamed and pressed afterwards for a crisp finish.
Step 3: Pick Up and Store Properly
• Always take off plastic covers upon returning home to allow the fabric to breathe.
• Store in dry, cool area.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dry Cleaning
Advantages: Suitable for delicate fabrics, professional finish, no shrinkage risk.
Disadvantages: Costs a lot, chemical exposure causes weakening of fabric over time.
Question: Is It Alright to Dry Shirts in the Dryer?
Drying a dress shirt is not recommended. High heat leads to shrinkage, softens fibers, and forms serious wrinkles. If you have to use a dryer:
• Set it to low heat or air dry.
• Take off shirts when slightly wet and hang them right away to minimize wrinkles.
Question: How to Get a Stain Out of a White Shirt?
Step 1: Determine the Type of Stain
•Oil-based stains: Use dish soap and let it sit prior to washing.
•Sweat stains: Apply a solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
•Wine or coffee stains: Blot with cold water, then use vinegar or lemon juice.
Step 2: Let the Treatment Sit
Let the cleaning solution sit for a minimum of 15 minutes prior to washing.
Step 3: Wash and Check
Cold water wash the shirt, inspect for removal of the stain before drying (because heat can fix stains).
Question: Do I Use Starch When Having a Shirt Pressed?
Applying starch to dress shirts can impart them with a sharp finish but it has advantages and disadvantages:
Pros: Improves sharpness, decreases wrinkles.
Cons: Can break down fabric with time and produce stiffness.
Alternative: Use a light starch spray occasionally instead of every wash to extend the shirt’s lifespan.
Three Tips to Get the Most Out of Dress Shirt Life
1. Rotate Your Shirts
Don’t wear the same shirt over and over to avoid too much wear and tear.
2. Proper Storage
Use good hangers, don’t use wire hangers that can warp the shape, and store shirts in a cool, dry place.
3. Handle with Care
Always unbutton the shirt when taking it off, roll up sleeves carefully, and don’t wash too much.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance of your dress shirts will keep them in a like-new state for years to come. If you choose to have them professionally cleaned or prefer to wash them in-house, simply follow these tips to keep your shirts crisp and in style. With the professional advice of Lux Line Attire, you’ll always dress to impress!
