Sublimation is a unique way of printing custom graphics on T-shirts, mugs, etc. This particular technique is compelling and, at the same time, costly. Having these sublimated shirts in your collection is a unique experience as these are very expensive, so it is thought that these will remain for longer.
The fundamental problem faced by these shirts is when they are dry-cleaned or washed improperly. Their graphics and colors of t shirt may fade if they are not cleaned properly. With this article, you will be filled with all the information about how to wash sublimation shirts.
Quick Response First of all, arrange a bucket of cold water and mix a little amount of mild soap properly. Then, take sublimated shirt and soak in this solution for 10 minutes. Finally, rinse with cold water and hang under shade.
Quick Tips to wash sublimation shirts
First, I want to tell you what you should not do during or after washing.
Agents Affecting the Sublimation Shirts
Heat is the most influential ingredient in making the sublimation shirts fade away. So heat must be avoided at any cost before or after the washing. Hot water should never be used for washing; dry cleaning is also not recommended.
Do less Washing
Your shirt will need a wash after some days of usage. So make track of washing your shirt. Too often, washing is unnecessary as these shirts are of high quality and do not need much washing. But if your shirt needs a wash, keep in mind that the water used must be cold or normal, not heated water.
It is so because heated water can easily remove or fade the printing. A shirt with sublimation printing on it may not withstand the heated water; this water can also damage the fiber of the shirt.
I recommend you not frequently wash your sublimation shirt.
Never Use Bleach
The detergent made of chlorine bleach is typically used for all types of clothes because it can easily remove the spots made by dust or any other thing. But when it comes to wash sublimated t shirts, chlorine bleach is not wise.
It can cause problems not only for the printing but also for the fabric used for shirt making. This chemical can undermine the material and fade the printing by blending the colors and creating disorders in color combinations.
At the same time, it has been seen that washing with chemicals like chlorine bleach can cause different itching and skin problems that are not suitable for your precious health.
Itching and allergic reactions caused by these chemicals can damage your skin. In some cases, it may lead to skin cancer, so always be very careful with these chemicals while washing regular and dye-sublimated clothes.
Dry under shade after washing sublimation shirts
If you are using the dye-sublimated shirts for a long time and drying your shirts in the open sun, you will have experienced that sublimation printing begins to fade after some time. It is so because the colors used in inkjet cannot withstand the Ultra Violet rays.
If you are selling these sublimated shirts, they must face the issue of color fading due to frequently drying their shirts in the sun. Printing and color fading may be minimized by drying your shirts in the shade.
Separate Washing from other Garments
Sublimated shirts must be washed separately. It is so because other clothes may have a defining effect on these shirts. Sublimated shirts may get the color of other garments, damaging the printing pattern and ruining your whole shirt design.
The stains from other clothes and clothing could be migrated into your dye-sublimated shirts. Along with washing, when packing all your clothes, keep an eye out that sublimated shirts must not be packed with pants and dresses with zippers, buttons, etc. because these zippers and buttons can also destroy the shirt design, which was done by sublimation.
Use Phosphorous Free Detergents
While washing your dye-sublimated shirts, remember that the detergent used for the washing process must be free from phosphorous. Phosphorous-containing detergents are also the same as chlorine bleach; these have the same effect, like fading and ruining the design color combination.
At the same time, these also affect the fabric, and if you use these often, you will lose your shirt soon after. So take extra care while purchasing your detergent; it must be non-phosphorous.
How to dry after washing sublimation t shirts?
Storing the dye-sublimated shirts
Process of washing sublimated shirts
Concluding Remarks
The Dye-Sublimated shirts are very durable and long-lasting. If you are taking care of your shirts very well, they may last longer than expected.
Always use recommended way of cleaning these shirts, and don’t use chlorine bleach or phosphorous-containing detergents; otherwise, you will regret it.
Related Article: How to Make Sublimation Prints Brighter?