Whether it is a printed t-shirt, an embroidered cap, a customized backpack, or a work uniform adapted to the company you represent, customized textile items, both in the world of fashion and in the industry of large companies, are a contemporary necessity.
From the point of view of quality and other benefits, custom Clothing, compared to traditional clothing, is more and more preferred by designers. This is because even people who aren't necessarily designers can add graphics to sustainable premium products.
Custom clothing can be a personal statement, and you can express yourself better with such an item. Now you have the chance to create your t-shirt and say something about yourself and your personality!
Through online clothing design tools, anyone can create a super cool shirt. How do you protect, maintain, and wash your custom clothing? Here are a couple of things you should consider:
Turn Your Custom Clothes Inside Out When Washing
Many companies that offer print-on-demand services are very receptive to client demands, assuring a sustainable substitute for fast fashion. They offer high-quality and durable thread to your custom clothing, meaning the items stay wearable after washing them, also giving you an elegant and unique look. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful about your customized clothes.
When you wash your custom clothes, the friction of the washing machine will likely cause your custom clothes artwork or logo to crack. That's why you should always turn the clothes inside-out when washing them to maintain their design.
Remember to do the same thing before you iron them. In this way, the design will remain intact. It's an easy and efficient trick that can help you keep the print and prevent it from fading quickly.
Using Cold Water
When you want to clean your printed garments, there's no reason to wash them in hot water. Cold water is generally gentler on most fabrics, and the printed area is kept as vibrant as ever when you use cold water.
In this way, you will enjoy the vivid colors and ensure their resistance over time. Keep your special shirts cool and only rarely wash them on warm cycles – and only if it's necessary.
Certain design details in cotton shirts can be susceptible to hot water and probably bubble, crack, and lose their quality image under harsh conditions. In some cases, high-level professional industrial printing has special merit because they also use water-based paints that enter the fabric and make a durable "wow" effect on your custom clothing, even if you wash them in cold water. Still, you should always be extra careful with any customized clothing.
Washing Machine and Hand-Washing
Sorting your dirty clothing by fabric type will bring you great satisfaction and optimal washing results. For example, sportswear and work items will have other washing needs compared to a delicate dress or lightweight shirt. When it's about a particular garment, and you don't know in what conditions you can wash it, take a look at the care instructions that are usually found on a label on the neck.
A custom-printed t-shirt should only be washed when necessary to provide it with extra longevity and durability. Even though the quality of the fabric might be the highest, every wash causes stress to the natural fibers leading to wear and tear, which can also include fading, shrinkage, and holes in the garment. That's why it is more secure to wash your custom-printed clothing less frequently.
Embroidered custom shirts require special care, and the washing machine can make embroidery warp and curl. A good piece of advice to solve this problem is to place your embroidered item in a lingerie bag before washing it on a gentle cycle. When you wash your custom embroidery garments in a delicate cycle, they will experience less agitation. The printed images will be safe, boosting the clothing's lifespan.
However, a better way to protect your embroidered garments is to wash them by hand, using a very gentle detergent so that they will be protected from the rigorous agitation made by the washing machine. It is important not to squeeze the embroidered area and be gentle overall.
Pair Up the Custom Clothes
When you want to wash your customized clothing, be sure to pair them up based on fabric and color. In this way, you can keep them in great condition for a long period of time because you will avoid unwanted colorization. Remember that the durability of the design does depend on the type of fabric it's been printed on, but it also depends on how it is washed.
Friendly Detergents
Custom clothing works best with natural detergents, so you should use laundry detergent without harmful petrochemicals and a minimal cleaning solution.
Also, it's highly recommended to avoid using bleach because this one, in combination with hot water and strong detergents, can cause clothes to fade quickly. If you need to take care of a stain that won't wash out, try using just spot treatment for it. Focus on those spots, but don't do it in a frantic way.
Avoid High Heat
Dryers can do damage to heat-transferred and screen-printed designs. They can lead to cracked, faded designs. Heat is probably the greatest weakness of printed clothes in general. Using the lowest possible heat setting on your dryer is highly recommended when you clean your personalized clothes.
Yet, essentially, the safest way to dry your personalized garments is to avoid the dryer as often as you can. The best way to dry your custom clothes is to hang them. After your items are washed, take them out of the dryer before they're completely dry and allow them to dry naturally (in the summertime, you can let them dry completely outside). Be the hero of your custom-printed shirts by not putting them in the dryer, and bring a positive effect on their durability!
Ironing
Following the previous ideas, now you know how bad heat can be for customized garments. But there are some occasions when you get to iron your special shirt. In this case, take this advice: use a pressing cloth (thin cotton towel) if you have to iron over a design. In this way, you will have some protection for your item.
Avoid ironing the printed parts, and use the lowest heat setting possible. When ironing embroidered items, keep them inside out to protect the thread.
Embroidery is one of the most resistant methods of personalization these days in the textile market. With embroidery thread in various colors and thicknesses to each material, these custom clothing deserve lifetime durability. Ironing on the wrong side of them can lead to scorched or pulled threads and faded colors.
Storing Customized Clothing
Now that you have your customized clothing properly cleaned up, it's important to know how to store them properly. Keep your custom clothing items in a dry and clean environment. You should do this to avoid potential bacterial growth, but remember to protect your garments from UV damage as well. Don't forget to fold them adequately so that the print doesn't experience stress because it is stored at a weird angle. If you have pets, especially cats, make sure that they can't reach these clothes. They can easily damage them with their claws.
With the right storage and climate environment, you will protect your customized clothes and ensure that they last longer and look amazing for a long time to come. You can always contact a printing website to learn more about how to protect, maintain, and properly wash your personalized garments or simply create more models to enjoy.
Protecting, Maintaining, And Washing Your Custom Clothing Final Words
Many print shops around the world offer the general public the chance to customize their own garments. However, what is important is not to let yourself get carried away by the designs. Think about the future. Are these clothes made out of high-quality fabrics? What about the printing technology involved?
You will need an answer to these essential questions before buying any customized clothing. If you opt for cheaper alternatives, you might end up with some very short-lived clothes that will lose their charm on their first wash, even if you do it the right way. Custom clothing isn't something you want to be negligent with. It is an art, an experience.
Essentially, everyone wants to maintain custom clothing for as long as possible. You probably have custom clothes with a company logo, a special jacket or hat from an activity, a custom hoodie with your favorite movie characters or quotes, or a cotton shirt with "ironic" quotes or images. However, you have to keep in mind that the best way to protect and maintain your one-of-a-kind customized clothing is to be extra careful while wearing it and consider the tips mentioned above when you want to wash your unique custom clothes.
