This is an age-old question. There is a right way and a wrong way to take care of your shirts. Many people think that the only way to take care of expensive shirts is to dry clean them, but often, laundering is preferable. Properly caring for your shirts will make them last longer and look better.
Which do you choose?
Dry cleaning can be expensive and not always preferred to laundering. Dry cleaning uses chemicals that, when used to often, may damage materials. Laundering is better at cleaning sweat and dirt. Dry cleaning is better at getting out tough stains and avoids damaging certain materials. How do you know which is better for your circumstances?
When to launder:
- Your shirt is soiled by sweat or dirt (excluding certain materials, see dry clean).
- Your shirt is made of cotton. Cotton is fragile, and the chemicals in dry cleaning can damage them.
- Your shirt is older or just a tad worn, and dry cleaning may harm it.
- You prefer your shirts to be pressed, folded, and preserve their shape, rather than be put on a hanger.
When to dry clean:
- Your shirt has a stain that will not come out with water. Dry cleaners specialize in tough stains.
- Your shirt is made of natural fibers. Water can shrink or harm natural fibers like silk or wool.
- You prefer your dress shirt on a hanger to avoid creases around the collar.
Dry cleaning is much more expensive than laundering and should be used sparingly and only under certain circumstances. In many cases, to preserve your clothing, you are better off laundering it.