Here at Pingtwitter, we know it’s not just about buying the best products, be it laptops , watches, or shirts , it’s also about how you take care of them.
If you don’t take care of your laptop, it will let you down when you need it most, and if you don’t service your watch regularly, it will waste time.
Likewise, if you’ve spent a lot of money on a luxury shirt, you need the quality of the material and the fit of the shirt to be durable.
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How can you take care of your shirt without locking it up and taking it out just once a year? From washing at the right temperature to storage without warping, read how Charles Tyrwitt, men’s shirt retailer, gives us his top tips:
When wearing and storing
Chances are your dress shirt will spend more time in the wardrobe than on the back. So how can you make sure it stays in great condition and will still look great when you put it on?
You may have noticed that the collar of your dress shirt is curling – this is not the best look, and there are some things you can do to avoid this.
First, frizz is often due to moisture; moisture in the room causes the material to change shape. Try to keep your shirts cool and dry or buy a dehumidifier to reduce the risk of this.
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The collar can also curl when it is in the washer or dryer after the spin cycle is complete – again due to dampness. After washing or drying, remove your favorite shirt from the dryer and let the collar settle.
When your dress shirt is being hung up, it’s a good idea to keep the top button buttoned up – this will help the shirt hold its shape and reduce the risk of curling. One great investment is a collar reinforcement. They can be used to try and slightly bend the collar in the opposite direction of the curl and prevent it from looking too prominent.
Always make sure your shirt is the right size too. If a collar is too tight around the neck, they are more likely to curl up and create a look that you don’t really want.
When hanging a shirt, make sure that all shirts are not twisted. If there is no space between them, the shape of the shirt may be distorted, which means that it will no longer fit the figure.
Use a silver cleaner to clean your cufflinks. A handy trick is to store them in an airtight bag, as this will keep them from losing their shine so quickly.
When you come to iron a shirt before putting it on, it’s best to steam it out while it’s still damp. Start on the inside of the collar and iron it from the outside towards the center – keep the outer corner neat and tight.
When washing
Have you ever felt a slight uneasiness when you washed your shirt? Will it come out bleached? Another colour? Follow these tips for carefree washing:
Before you even think about washing your shirt, check for obvious stains, streaks, or any signs of yellowing around the cuff and collar.
These areas require additional treatment if you want your shirt to look perfectly clean. If you notice a few of these marks, create a paste with a mixture of detergent and water and rub it in – leave for two minutes and then rinse.
If you use collar stiffeners, be sure to remove them during washing. This is especially important for those with brass collar stiffeners, as they can stain your shirt and cause problems with your washing machine filter.
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While it may seem like you are buying a mild detergent, the chemicals can still be harmful to your shirt fabric – so you should turn your shirt inside out before putting it in the washing machine.
You should also unbutton the shirt and cuffs so that the buttons do not come unbuttoned during washing. This can cause them to get damaged and not look as neat as they used to.
Similarly, high temperatures in a washing machine can be harmful to a shirt and lead to wrinkling and warping – try to keep the temperature low to prevent damage.
When ironing and drying
To dry and reduce the creases of a dress shirt, follow these tips and tricks:
It all depends on what materials your shirt is made of and how it should be ironed and dried. For example, if it is 100% cotton, many cotton mills do not recommend tumble drying at all. Instead, take the shirt off the machine while it’s still damp and hang it up to dry. You will probably notice that many folds also come out this way.
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- This is not the case with iron-free shirts – so you should always check the label for advice. Tumble drying can improve the properties of a shirt, not damage it.
When it comes to ironing, you have to be especially careful. Always iron your shirts when they are still damp, perhaps take them off the conveyor before they are completely dry. If possible, also use a steam iron, as it keeps the material damp. If possible, try not to iron the buttons, they can be damaged and cracked by the heat of the iron.
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Now you have read all the tips and know how to care for a dress shirt. Buy a collar booster, make sure it’s stored properly, and follow our washing and drying tips. Remember to always check the label for specific product recommendations!
