How To Wash Dress Shirt

Crisp, clean lines and a fresh appearance are trademarks of a well-kept dress shirt, yet achieving that standard requires more than just tossing it into the washing machine.

But how do you wash a dress shirt? To wash a dress shirt, turn it inside out, use cold water and a gentle cycle on your washing machine, and hang it to dry to prevent shrinkage and preserve the fabric's quality. For coloured dress shirts, use a mild detergent and cold water to prevent fading and bleeding, and separate lights from darks to maintain the integrity of the colours.

In this blog, you'll unearth the arts and sciences of washing dress shirts, mastering the care for dress shirts, and laundering dress shirts right in the comfort of your home.

Armed with comprehensive shirt washing instructions, prepare to elevate your wardrobe with the best fitting dress shirts right here at Tapered Menswear.

Can You Put Dress Shirts In The Washer?

Your dress shirts can withstand the washing machine, in fact its recommended - provided you follow the care labels.

Choose a delicate cycle and warm water for those paler hues to maintain their colour, while the darker garments use cold water to prevent fading.

When you're washing at home, be sure to seperate your whites and colours to avoid any unintentional colour mixing.

For an additional layer of defence, consider putting your dress shirts within a mesh laundry bag during their wash cycle. This not only protects the shirts from entanglement but also preserves buttons and stitching. 

Can I Wash Dress Shirts With Other Clothes

You can definitely wash your dress shirts with other items of clothing as long as you employ proper shirt cleaning techniques, To avoid any issues such as colour bleeding, it's advisable to wash white or light-coloured shirts separately from darker garments. 

Alongside colour considerations, it’s important to be wary of mixing your dress shirts with items that have bold colours and patterns, as they are more likely to bleed.

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Another factor to bear in mind is the type of fabric you're mixing with your shirts. Delicates are best washed together, away from heavier garments like denim or jackets, as these can be abrasive against the fine fabric of a dress shirt during a washing cycle. 

Keep like with like, prioritise light with light, and dark with dark, and avoid the temptation to just throw everything in together, and you’ll avoid any issues with the care of your dress shirt.

Should Dress Shirts Be Washed Buttoned Or Unbuttoned?

In short you should wash these shirts unbuttoned. The reasoning behind this is simple yet fundamental: it prevents unnecessary strain or potential damage to the buttonholes and the fabric surrounding them.

Remember to also remove any collar stays before the washing process begins. This step is key in preserving the shirt's structural integrity, ensuring the collar maintains its crisp form after laundering.

Another recommendation is to turn the shirts inside out prior to washing. This i protects the outer fabric, allowing your dress shirts to emerge from the washing cycle in impeccable condition.

How Often Should You Wash Dress Shirts?

If you've had your shirt on throughout a busy day, absorbing sweat and collecting dirt, you should probably wash it after every wear.

This will not only maintain the freshness of the fabric but also prevents the build-up of odours and stains which can be more challenging to remove over time.

That said, not all dress shirts demand such stringent cleaning. Shirts made from special fabrics or those that have only been lightly worn for a short time may not need to be washed after every use.

Ultimately, the care for dress shirts is a delicate balance between preserving the material and ensuring hygiene.

Simply pay attention to how each shirt is worn and used, you can extend it's lifespan while still looking crisp for every occasion.

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Do Dress Shirts Shrink After Washing?

It must be emphasised that the type of water you use plays a key role in maintaining the size and shape of your shirts.

For optimal care for dress shirts, avoid always using hot water and instead, choose warm or cold water for the washing process. Hot water is more likely to shrink the fabric.

Hot water is more likely to shrink fabric because it can cause the fibers to contract. Heat breaks down the bonds within the fibers, making them tighten and pull closer together.

This is especially true for natural fibers like wool and cotton, which are more sensitive to temperature changes.

The heat effectively alters the structure of the fabric, leading to a reduction in size, a process often irreversible once the fabric has cooled and dried.

In addition to water temperature, your drying technique also significantly impacts the likelihood of your shirts retaining their original fit.

Where possible, let your dress shirts air dry rather that tumble. If you find yourself in situations where using a tumble dryer becomes unavoidable, a useful tip is to take the shirts  out the dryer when they are still slightly damp.

Then press them with an iron. This will not only dry out any lingering moisture but will simultaneously smooth out wrinkles, leaving your dress shirts in impeccable condition.

It's also worthwhile to note that non-iron shirts are an exception to some of these rules. These garments can endure the complete drying cycle within a tumble dryer without suffering from significant shrinkage.

However, make sure to refer back to the care label to confirm instructions that are specific to the fabric and build of your dress shirt.

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Should You Tumble Dry Dress Shirts?

Generally speaking, I'd advise against tumble drying your dress shirts. The heat and the vigorous nature of the tumble drying process can lead to shrinkage and could potentially weaken the fabric. 

Your shirt washing instructions will likely hint at air drying as the preferred alternative. It's straightforward; simply hang the shirt on a hanger and let it dry naturally.

This method not only maintains the integrity of the fibres but also prolongs the shirt's lifespan.

How Long Can You Wear A Dress Shirt Before Washing?

Typical advice suggests you wash your dress shirt after every wear, particularly if it's been against your skin for a full day.

However, the realistic answer is it depends on several factors, including your level of perspiration and the shirt's exposure to dirt and odours.

Remember, that moisture from perspiration coupled with the warmth of your body creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which can result in odour and discolouration.

The dreaded yellowing around the collar can often be attributed to leaving shirts languishing in the laundry basket too long. 

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What Detergent To Use For Dress Shirts?

When it comes to maintaining the integrity of your dress shirts, selecting the right detergent is paramount.

For those garments that often accompany you in professional and formal environments, especially when washing white dress shirts, the best way to clean dress shirts is by using a high-quality detergent.

Aim for a pH-neutral formula that boasts the presence of enzymes, capable of effectively removing stains without compromising the fabric's delicacy.

Avoid chlorine-based detergents and fabric softeners at all costs; such products can lead to the discoloration of your shirts, or worse, build a waxy residue that impacts the fabric's breathability and appearance.

It’s imperative to find a balance between effectiveness and gentleness to preserve your dress shirts in impeccable condition.

When faced with the challenge of keeping white shirts brilliantly white, veer away from any bleach containing chlorine. It's well-known that chlorine bleach can react with proteins in body oils, resulting in an undesired yellowing of the fabric.

Instead, consider utilising an oxygen-based bleach - one devoid of chlorine - to ensure your whites stay bright without the risk of yellowing over time. By following these guidelines, you'll ensure your dress shirts remain pristine wash after wash.

Best Fitting Dress Shirts - Tapered Menswear

Now you know how to properly care for your dress shirts. In the world of men's fashion, the importance of a well-fitted dress shirt is paramount. A perfectly fitting shirt not only enhances your appearance but also instills a sense of self-confidence. 

With the introduction of TAPERED fit shirts, men now have the option for shirts that are fitted, but have enough stretch to provide comfort for all day wear in comparison to slim fit. A perfect fit for a V taper physique.

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So why not show off all that hard work in the gym with a perfect muscle fit shirt, and be comfortable as well as fashionable?

Check out our best seller here. 

Our Tapered collection also includes muscle fit denim shirts, muscle fit t-shirts and muscle fit polos.