The Mistakes That Ruin Graphic Tees
Even the highest-quality shirts can suffer when washed the wrong way. If your graphic tees lose their color or crack after only a few cycles, one of these common mistakes is usually the reason:

• • Washing in hot water: Heat weakens fibers and stresses the print, which leads to fading and cracking.
  • Using the dryer on high heat: Extreme heat shrinks fabric and breaks down ink.
  • Mixing tees with rough fabrics: Washing them with jeans, towels, or anything with zippers creates friction that wears down the design.
  • Using bleach or harsh detergents: Strong chemicals strip out color and eat away at the fabric.

Avoiding these habits is the first step toward making your tees last longer.

Pre-Wash Preparation: Protecting the Print
Before tossing your tee into the wash, always flip it inside out. This shields the print from rubbing against other clothes, which limits cracking or fading.

Detailed designs, like the Sendero Provisions Co. West Texas Municipal Tee or the TYLER'S Harvard Crew Tee, benefit the most from this simple habit. Both feature bold, eye-catching graphics that hold up better when protected from direct friction.

Always check for stains before washing. For light stains, use a gentle remover. Skip the bleach and stick with mild solutions, such as a baking soda paste, which you can leave on the stain for about 15 minutes before washing. This method cleans without damaging the ink.

Use Cold Water for Long-Lasting Prints
Heat is the enemy of graphic designs. Hot water causes fibers to expand and contract, which stresses printed areas. Over time, this leads to cracking, peeling, and fading.

Washing in cold water keeps prints intact, protects colors, and works with most detergents. It’s also energy-efficient, which means you save money on utilities while extending the life of your shirts.

If you want your Norman Roscoe Keep Texas Icon Tee to look bold after dozens of wears, cold water is the way to go.

Choose the Right Detergent
A mild, color-safe detergent is your best option. Strong detergents strip color and wear down ink faster, while fabric softeners leave residue that dulls the design.

For vintage-style washes, like the Retro Brand Austin Texas Streaky Grey Tee, mild detergents help maintain the soft, worn-in feel without harming the print. And remember, less is more: too much detergent adds suds that require longer rinse cycles, creating unnecessary stress on the fabric.

Wash With Similar Fabrics
Washing tees with heavy fabrics like denim or towels creates abrasion that leads to pilling and worn prints. Instead, wash them with lightweight clothes such as cotton tees, joggers, or soft loungewear.

This step is especially important for ultra-soft fabrics like the Tumbleweed TexStyles Texas Towns Tee. With gentle treatment, this tee can retain its relaxed fit and buttery-soft fabric, staying fresh and comfortable.

Select the Right Washing Cycle
Set your machine to the gentlest cycle available, such as “delicate” or “hand wash.” These cycles reduce agitation, protecting both fabric and print.

Avoid overcrowding the washer since packed loads cause garments to rub against one another. At the same time, avoid underfilling, which creates unbalanced loads that stress fabrics unnecessarily. Aim for a balanced load for best results.

Air Dry When Possible
Heat from the dryer is one of the biggest reasons graphic prints crack or fade. Air drying is the safest option. Hang your shirts on padded hangers or lay them flat to dry. Keep them out of direct sunlight because those bright rays can fade colors over time.

If you need to use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting available. Remove shirts while they are still slightly damp, then let them finish drying in the open air. This minimizes exposure to high heat and helps the fabric hold its shape.

Air Drying vs. Tumble Drying: Which Is Better?
Air drying is the gold standard for preserving your graphic tees and their prints, especially for premium fabrics or limited edition prints. It protects the ink, prevents shrinkage, and extends the shirt’s overall lifespan. Tumble drying, even on low, speeds up wear and shortens the life of both the fabric and the design. If convenience is important, mix the two approaches: start in the dryer on low for a short cycle, then finish with air drying.

Your Because Weekend Texas Sunset Tee will hold its shape and print longer with this balanced approach.

Store Your Tees the Right Way
Storage matters just as much as washing. Avoid stuffing your tees in a drawer, which stretches the fabric and distorts the print. Instead, fold them neatly and store them in a cool, dry place.

For limited edition pieces, like the TYLER’S x Jean & James Texas Map Tee, fold them with the print turned inward to protect the design from light exposure. Avoid wire hangers, which can warp fabric, and choose padded or wide hangers if you prefer to hang instead of fold.

This method keeps favorites like the Jason Archer B. Goode Tee looking sharp and ready for any casual day.

When To Consider Professional Cleaning
Some tees deserve extra care. Vintage designs, multi-color prints, or collector’s items may benefit from professional cleaning. Dry cleaning can sometimes work, but check the care label before going this route since certain inks do not react well to chemical cleaners.

For serious stains that at-home methods cannot fix, a professional is the safest option. Aggressive stain removal at home can often do more damage than the stain itself.