Great style starts with great basics — and great basics last. Here’s the simple care routine we use to keep Airlume combed & ring-spun cotton tees looking crisp, color-true, and perfectly shaped through every season.
1) Wash Smart
- Temperature: Wash cold, inside out. Cold preserves color and prevents torqueing.
- Cycle: Gentle or normal; avoid heavy/aggressive settings.
- Detergent: Use an enzyme detergent. Skip fabric softeners — they coat fibers and trap odours.
- Load size: Don’t overpack. Give tees room to move to reduce creasing.
- Color care: Wash darks (black, navy, burgundy) with like colors; whites with whites only.
2) Dry the Right Way
- Best practice: Air-dry on a rack or hanger. Smooth hems and sleeves while damp.
- If using a dryer: Tumble low for 10–12 minutes, then hang to finish. High heat = shrink & fading.
- Shape care: Side-seamed tees hold form best when not over-dried.
3) Stain Playbook (Fast & Gentle)
- Deodorant marks (white casts on dark tees): Rub gently with a dry microfiber cloth, then cold wash.
- Oils/food: Treat ASAP with liquid detergent or dish soap; dab, don’t scrub. Rinse cold, then launder.
- Coffee/wine: Blot with cold water; pre-treat with enzyme detergent; launder cold.
- Sunscreen: Pre-treat with a bit of dish soap (cuts oils). Avoid chlorine bleach on colors; use oxygen bleach on whites.
4) De-Wrinkle
- Wrinkles: Quick steam or a warm iron inside-out. (Steam is gentler on color.)
5) Store & Travel
- Fold, don’t cram: Stack flat to protect necklines.
- Hanging: If hanging, use wide or felt hangers; avoid wire which can stretch shoulders.
- Travel: Roll tees to minimize creases; unpack and hang on arrival.
Quick Troubleshooter
- Twisting after wash? You’re likely wearing tubular tees — upgrade to side-seamed.
- Persistent odour? Skip softeners; add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse once; air-dry fully.
- Neck ripples? Reshape while damp; dry flat or on a hanger with shoulders supported.
Care Symbols Decoder
Cold wash (●), Do not bleach (✖), Tumble low (▿), Line dry (〰), Cool iron (•), Do not dry clean (✖).
Related Reading
- Why Solid T-Shirts Are a Must for Men
- How to Wear Solid T-Shirts Year-Round
- Minimalist Wardrobe Essentials: Why Solid T-Shirts Are #1
- Side-Seamed vs Tubular T-Shirts
Bottom line: Cold water, low heat, quick spot-treats, and gentle storage. Do that, and your tees will keep their color, shape, and that soft Airlume feel.
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