How to wash a T-shirt by hand (white, black, colored), how to dry it, do you need to iron it, how to remove stains and streaks?

The T-shirt is one of the most popular wardrobe items due to its versatility.

Like other clothes, they need to be washed regularly. This needs to be done correctly, then the thing will take a long time to fold and look good.

Read the article about how to properly wash a T-shirt (white, black, colored) by hand, how to remove stains, how to dry it, and whether it should be ironed.

Hand washing rules

Before you start washing, you need to inspect the item.

If there are defects, they must first be eliminated.

An important point is to study the label on the T-shirt.

It contains useful information:

fabric structure;
rules of care.

Selecting water temperature

When washing T-shirts, choosing the temperature is an important point. The manufacturer indicates the recommended value on the product label .

If there is no label, then you should focus on the color (for light ones, the temperature may be higher than for dark ones) and the texture of the material. The more plastic the canvas, the lower the water temperature should be.

But washing in cold may not be effective. As a rule, the temperature is selected within the range from +30ºС to +40ºС. The only exceptions are those cases when higher rates are allowed by the manufacturer itself.

Detergent

The detergent must be suitable for hand washing. It is also necessary to consider the type of material (wool, cotton, etc.).

If you choose between powder and gel, then the liquid product has the advantage of being more easily soluble in water.

If things are washed alternately: either by hand or by machine, it is recommended to select universal types of detergents that are suitable for both options. But you can also purchase individual packages.

Instructions

For washing you will need:

pelvis;
water;
hand wash product.

It is advisable to wash the neckline, bottom of the T-shirt and armpit area with soap before the main wash.

Procedure:

If there are stains on the product, they need to be treated before the main wash.
Fill a basin with water at a suitable temperature.
Dilute detergent in water.
Dip a T-shirt into the basin.
If there is significant contamination, soak for an hour.
Wash the item in a circular motion, paying attention to the collar, bottom edge and armpit area.
If the item is very dirty, the water needs to be changed to new one. And dilute the detergent again.
Rinse the T-shirt, changing the water several times.
Wring out and hang to dry.

Is it possible to wash a white T-shirt at home?

A white T-shirt requires special care, as it does not tolerate the slightest dirt and immediately loses its original appearance. It is clear that no one will wear such a thing every day to the dry cleaner or laundry. Therefore, you need to learn how to deal with stains on fabric yourself and know well the best way to bleach a white T-shirt at home.

Fabric Features

White T-shirts are made from cotton knitwear, but a different composition may be presented on the label. A distinctive feature of this type of fabric is its structure. It is not an ordinary weave of threads, but a knitted fabric consisting of intertwined loops.

It is thanks to this structure that the item fits perfectly on the figure, repeating its every curve and without creating tension in the sock.

So, a knitted T-shirt is soft, elastic, and stretches well. If pure cotton fiber was used in production, then it also perfectly absorbs moisture and easily tolerates high temperatures. The disadvantage is:

shrinkage of the product during washing;
long drying;
high creasing.

All of the above disadvantages are absent or minimized in white T-shirts, for the sewing of which synthetic or mixed (cotton + polyester) fiber was used.

When washing a product, you must take into account its composition. The product must consist of at least half of cotton threads, then it can be subjected to intensive washing without the risk of losing its shape and appearance.

Digestion

Despite the large selection of household chemicals, many housewives prefer to do it the old fashioned way - wash things by boiling them in boiling water. This radical method, oddly enough, helps restore things to their original beauty.

It is necessary to choose the right detergent that will be added to the digestion solution. Can be used:

regular washing powder;
a small amount of chlorine;
laundry soap;
salt;
soda;
some others.

The pan in which the white T-shirt will be boiled must be made of stainless steel or have an enamel coating and must not have damage on the inner surface. In all other options, the surface of the container may oxidize and leave rusty stains on things. This happens if you use aluminum or galvanized cookware. To stir the laundry, use wooden tongs or a rolling pin.

The digestion process itself can be divided into several stages:

Pre-soaking and washing items. This will help reduce the boiling time from 2 hours to 40 minutes.
Prepare the solution, find a suitable pan.
Take such a quantity of solution that things are completely immersed in it.
Place the pan on the fire, bring to a boil, turn off the heat and stir with a wooden spatula.
During cooking, maintain low heat pressure.
Remove the cooled laundry from the pan with wooden tongs.
Rinse, squeeze out water and hang to dry.

Boiling in the solution will help remove stains and surface dirt from the T-shirt, returning it to its original whiteness.

Soak

Washing becomes easy and effective if you pre-soak items in warm water (+30) with detergents. Most of the dirt will go away with the first drain of water.

This will facilitate the subsequent process of cleaning from stains and other contaminants, regardless of whether washing is done by hand or using a machine. In this case, you need to know some important conditions for properly soaking things:

Linen should be sorted by color. If the T-shirt is white, then it should be washed exclusively with the same items;
knitwear cannot be soaked and washed together with woolen items;
It is not recommended to combine cotton and synthetic items in one basin, even if they are of the same color.

The soaking solution is prepared from warm water, laundry soap (shavings) and a tablespoon of soda. Soaking time for white items is 0.5-1 hour. Then lightly rub the contaminated areas with soap or another cleanser and put the T-shirt in the washing machine.

Fabric color

The color and type of material of a T-shirt are very important parameters, taking into account which it is necessary to sort things before washing. Dividing all clothes into colored, black and white will help you avoid many troubles.

Shedding fabrics will require special attention. These T-shirts should be washed separately from other T-shirts.

It is best to wash white T-shirts with powder or gel, which are designed specifically for such things . They contain bleaching agents that give the T-shirts a snowy whiteness. It is advisable to give preference to products that do not contain chlorine. Read more about the rules for washing white T-shirts here.

It is recommended to wash black T-shirts using detergents intended for black and dark-colored items. They contain ingredients that support the brightness and richness of dark shades.

If you wash black T-shirts with this gel every time, the black color will wash out more slowly and the item will retain its appearance longer.

For colored T-shirts, universal detergents without bleach are suitable . Sometimes you can see the “Color” mark on them. If you need to wash white and black T-shirts in addition to colored ones, but you don’t have special products at hand, you can use a universal one.

How to bleach?

Only pure white items can be bleached . There is no need to boil them or soak them for a long time. Nowadays effective bleaches are produced, which are added with powder during washing. They help get rid of the yellow or grayish tint of old linen.

It is better not to use chlorine-containing products, as they damage the fabric. Oxygen or optical brighteners are just as good at removing stains. To increase efficiency, you can pre-soak the item in their solution.

You can return the whiteness of towels, tablecloths and linen with the following solution: add 1 tbsp per 10 liters. ammonia and 2 tbsp. hydrogen peroxide. You need to soak the item for 20-30 minutes.

A saline solution is suitable for handkerchiefs: 30 g of fine table salt per liter of water. This solution helps get rid of yellow sweat stains on white T-shirts or shirts.

Material type

Since different fabrics require different care, you should determine the type of material before washing. A shortcut will help with this.

Cotton

Cotton T-shirts are the most common option. With proper care, such things last a long time . Most cotton T-shirts can be washed not only by hand, but also in a washing machine.

Unless other information is indicated on the product label, washing is allowed in water at a temperature of +40ºС. Some white T-shirts can even be boiled.

Mixed

Fabrics that contain both cotton and synthetics, such as lycra, are easier to care for. These T-shirts wrinkle less.

T-shirts made from mixed fabrics are washed in non-hot water (from +30ºС to +40ºС).

Active friction for such T-shirts is undesirable , as is intensive washing in a washing machine.

Wool

Wool T-shirts are very demanding to process. Hand washing is the best option for them. And even with this approach, vigorous mechanical impact and high temperature should be avoided - no more than +30ºС.

Synthetics

Pure synthetic T-shirts are easy to process. Hand washing of such T-shirts is carried out in non-hot water (+30ºС).

Removing yellow stains from white T-shirts

It is easy to remove stains on T-shirts, and not just yellow ones, using a washing machine with the addition of strong bleaching agents. But before the main wash, they must be washed with either regular laundry soap or special bleaching soap.

A good alternative is to use oxygen bleach. The T-shirt is first soaked for some time in this bleach and then rinsed thoroughly. After this, the T-shirt is washed in the usual machine way. Instead of oxygen bleach, sprays or powders are often used to bleach clothes. In this case, the item is also first treated with this product and then washed by machine.

If we talk about yellow urine stains or stains of other origin on children's T-shirts and other items of clothing, then powerful chemicals cannot be used to remove them. It is best to use simple laundry soap. The success of removing such stains directly depends on the time that has passed since their appearance. T-shirts or any other underwear are first rinsed, and then the most problematic areas are washed with soap.

Instead of washing and treating stains with laundry soap, you can use soaking. After soaking, which should last at least 12 hours, the laundry is washed in the standard mode. Washing can be replaced by boiling with the addition of washing powder or laundry soap. Soap can be added to the washing machine to enhance the effect. After boiling or washing, the T-shirt must be thoroughly rinsed in cold water.

Prints

The presence of a pattern on a T-shirt imposes some restrictions when washing. To ensure that the T-shirt does not lose its qualities, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

It is recommended to wash items with a print by first turning them inside out;
the use of hot water is prohibited - the design may fade or lose the brightness of the colors;
for washing, you should choose a detergent intended for colored items;
without twisting.

How to remove yellowness, bleach or not?

It is advisable to remove stains, including those from sweat, without delay . Old stains are much more difficult to remove than fresh ones.

If you are using a stain remover for the first time, it is advisable to test its effect on an inconspicuous area. An alternative choice is to use traditional methods.

What not to do with yellow spots:

use chlorine bleach;
exposed to high temperatures;
use acetone for colored fabrics;
rub and knead vigorously.

"Antipyatin"

Using Antipyatin will help correct the situation, especially with regard to fresh stains. Work order:

The T-shirt is soaked in water.
Rub the stains with Antipyatin (if it is not available, use laundry soap).
Leave the item for 15-30 minutes.
Carry out washing in the usual way using detergent.

Vinegar

It can be used either pure or diluted in half with water.

Work order:

Using blotting movements, moisten the stain using a sponge or napkin.
Wash as usual.

Use the whitening properties of vinegar carefully. Once on a print, acetic acid, even in diluted form, can discolor bright shades.

Lemon acid

Like vinegar, citric acid has a bleaching effect.

To treat yellowed areas use the following recipe:

pour 1 glass of water into a container;
dissolve 1 tsp in water. acids;
moisten the affected areas on the T-shirt;
stand for 30-60 minutes;
wash the T-shirt.

Aspirin

To prepare you need:

Pour ½ cup of warm water.
Dilute 2 aspirin tablets.
Apply the liquid to the stains with a sponge.
Set aside for 1-2 hours.
Wash.

By varying the degree of thickness of the prepared mixture, you can obtain a more or less concentrated composition.

If the stains are old, then it is possible to either increase the exposure time by an hour or pour 2-3 times less water for the same amount of aspirin.

White spirit and ammonia

To prepare the bleaching solution you need:

pour ½ cup of white spirit into a container;
add ¼ cup of ammonia to the alcohol;
mix;
Apply with a sponge to the armpits of the T-shirt;
leave for an hour;
rinse;
wash.

It is advisable to use this recipe on natural fabrics.

Methods for removing stains on colored T-shirts

Removing grease from colored and dark T-shirts is complicated by the need to preserve the color without leaving discolored marks on the fabric. To do this, use special cleaning products.

Starch gruel

A starch solution is prepared using warm water. The final consistency should be paste-like so that the product can be conveniently applied to the T-shirt. In this form, you can leave it overnight, and in the morning, wash off the remaining starch and wash it off.

Dentifrice

Tooth powder can be used both on fresh, not yet healing stains, and on old, dried ones.

If the stain is fresh, simply sprinkle it generously with tooth powder, which should be immediately rubbed into the grease. It reacts with excess moisture to form active foam.

Once the stain has dried, moisten the oily soil with warm water and then apply tooth powder.

Bread crumb

If the stain is old but doesn't look bad, try soaking it in breadcrumbs. The fat is treated with hot water so that it dissolves a little. You need to put a crumb of fresh bread on top, which will immediately start to absorb dirt.

Tip: You will have to use several slices of bread before the dirt is completely gone.

How to remove stains from a faded white or colored T-shirt?

An unsuccessful wash, which results in the fabric fading and streaking, creates a big problem. It is not always possible to correct the situation. The main rule in this situation is to act quickly.

To save a white T-shirt, this method is suitable:

Rinse the item thoroughly in cool water.
Dilute bleach (oxygen) in water at a temperature of +30ºС in the proportion indicated on the packaging of the product.
Soak the T-shirt for 1-2 hours.
Rinse.
Wash.

For colored T-shirts, the recipe will be different, involving ammonia:

Rinse the item thoroughly in cool water.
Pour 5 liters of water at +40ºС into a basin.
Pour in 10 ml of ammonia.
Stir.
Dip the item.
Leave for 60 minutes.
Rinse.
Wash.

If the above remedies do not help, you can use special household chemicals to remove faded stains.

Removing deodorant stains

If you need to get rid of stains caused by deodorant, then this should be done immediately after wearing. It is best to wash T-shirts with deodorant stains in cool water and dry them in a shaded area out of direct sunlight. This in most cases allows you to avoid streaks.

Washing T-shirts in hot water is always quite risky. Before washing, you must check the label on which the maximum permitted washing temperature is indicated. Natural cotton fabrics are most resistant to hot washing. There are two good ways to get rid of stains that appear after using deodorant:

Paste containing water (50 ml) and soda (4 tablespoons). This mixture is first applied to a moderately stiff brush and then rubbed into the stains. The T-shirt is then left with the solution applied for an hour, after which it is washed and dried at normal room temperature. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated from the beginning;
When washing in a washing machine, you should select a mode of 60 degrees, and in addition to the usual washing powder, add one tablespoon of salt and one spoon of soda to the tray. This method should not be used when washing T-shirts made from delicate fabrics.

Drying rules

Freshly washed T-shirts should be hung to dry. Those that dry most quickly are those hung on a rope in the fresh air. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that clothing is not exposed to direct sunlight.

Proper hanging will allow clothes to dry quickly and not leave creases. To do this, T-shirts are hung, secured on a rope with clothespins at the shoulders, without being thrown over the rope.

To make further processing easier, it is better not to keep things on a rope until they dry out, since slightly damp fabric is easier to iron.

Should I iron or not?

The need for ironing is determined by several points:

fabric structure;
compliance with washing and drying rules.

T-shirts made from thin synthetic material do not need ironing - they just need to be hung carefully to dry.

If you fold such clothes after removing them from the rope, you won’t have to use the iron at all.

With cotton fabrics a different approach is needed. The specificity of the material is such that without ironing, cotton T-shirts will remain wrinkled .

For cotton T-shirts and T-shirts, the temperature on the iron is set to about 130ºС or higher, and for mixed fabrics containing cotton - 110ºС.

T-shirts with prints and accessories are ironed on the reverse side. Moreover, white paper must be laid between the two layers of material.

Can the product shrink, and what should I do about it?

Washing in violation of the rules can lead to your favorite item shrinking. If the product is made of synthetics, the following technique will help:

pour water at a temperature of +30ºС into the container;
dip the T-shirt in water;
stand for a quarter of an hour;
wrinkle a T-shirt right in the water;
hang out to dry, stretching the item from time to time.

There is no need to add detergent.

For knitwear, this option is suitable:

Pour water at a temperature of +30ºС into the container.
Dip the T-shirt in water.
Leave for a quarter of an hour.
Take the item out and let the water drain.
Lay a non-fading cotton cloth on the ironing board.
Set the iron to a low temperature (up to +90ºС).
Gently iron the T-shirt, stretching the fabric with your hand in the desired direction.

Recommendations

Expert advice on washing T-shirts will help you keep your item in order and preserve its appearance.

Important recommendations include the following:

If the T-shirt has decorative or functional fasteners (buttons, zippers), they must be fastened before washing.
Stains that are on a worn item must be removed before the main wash, and not after it.
It is recommended to wash colored items no more than 3 times after dressing, and white items no more than 2 times.
If items have rhinestones, complex appliqués, etc., they should not be caught with the tip of the iron during ironing.
Adding a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to the rinse water will help maintain the brightness of the shades.
Hand washing should preferably be done with rubber gloves.

Manually

Washing white T-shirts by hand allows you to focus on areas that need more attention.

To combat stains, you can use stain removers or wash problem areas with laundry soap. In addition, a pre-soaking option is possible.

Hand washing procedure:

Inspect the item for defects. They must be removed before the main wash.
Fill a basin with water at a suitable temperature of 30-40ºС. The exception is thick, plain cotton T-shirts - for them the water temperature can be higher - up to 50-60ºС.
Dilute the prepared detergent in water.
Dip a T-shirt into the resulting solution.
If the item is dirty, you can soak it for an hour, after soaping the dirty areas.
After soaking, the dirty water is drained and a new solution is prepared, again with detergent.
The item is hand washed.
The water is drained and new water is added to the basin.
For good rinsing, the water must be changed several times.

You need to squeeze the water out of the T-shirt after washing carefully, avoiding twisting the fabric and deforming it.

This publication will tell you how to properly wash T-shirts by hand.