How to Wash Garment-Dyed Tees So They Stay Soft
You know that tee. The one that feels like you've owned it for ten years, even though you bought it last spring. That soft, lived-in feel is what garment-dyed shirts are famous for.
The good news: a few easy laundry habits keep it that way for a long time. Here's what garment-dyed means and exactly how to wash it.
The 30-second version
- Turn it inside out.
- Machine wash cold (max 30°C / 90°F) with similar colors.
- No bleach.
- Tumble dry low, or hang to dry.
- If you iron, use low heat and skip the graphic.
- Don't dry clean.
What does garment-dyed mean?
Most shirts are made from fabric that's dyed first, then cut and sewn. Garment-dyed shirts flip that: the shirt is sewn first, then the finished garment is dyed.
Going through the dye bath as a whole shirt gives it a relaxed, broken-in texture and a slightly vintage color. It's also why no two look exactly alike. Small color differences are part of the charm, not a defect.
Gear note
What our tees are made of
Our shirts are printed on Comfort Colors tees: 100% ring-spun US cotton, heavyweight 6.1 oz fabric, garment-dyed and pre-shrunk.
Shop Outdoor Tees →Care at a glance
| Step | Do this |
|---|---|
| Wash | Machine wash cold, max 30°C / 90°F, inside out |
| Bleach | Never |
| Dry | Tumble dry low, or hang / lay flat |
| Iron | Low heat, inside out, not over the print |
| Dry clean | No |
1. Turn it inside out
Washing inside out protects the graphic and the outside of the fabric from rubbing against zippers, jeans and everything else in the drum. Less friction means less fading and pilling.
2. Wash cold
Cold water is your tee's best friend. Hot water can tighten cotton and speed up fading. Cold (no warmer than 30°C / 90°F) is plenty for everyday dirt, sweat and campfire smoke.
3. Wash with similar colors
Garment-dyed shirts can release a little extra dye in their first few washes. That's normal.
4. Go easy on detergent and skip the bleach
A normal amount of mild detergent does the job. Too much can leave residue that makes fabric feel stiff instead of soft.
5. Choose a gentle cycle
A gentle or delicate setting means less wear over time, though a normal cycle is fine too. Don't overstuff the machine, so clothes can move and actually get clean.
6. Dry low, or hang it up
High dryer heat is the fastest way to shrink cotton and wear out a print. Comfort Colors tees are pre-shrunk, but heat can still tighten cotton a bit over time.
Tumble dry on low, or hang it or lay it flat. Pull it out while slightly damp and give it a shake to cut wrinkles. Skip days of baking in direct sun, which can fade any color.
7. Iron with care (or don't)
A garment-dyed tee usually looks best a little relaxed. If you do iron, use low heat, keep it inside out and never iron directly over the graphic.
8. Treat stains quickly and gently
Mustard at the cookout? S'mores on the sleeve? Rinse the spot with cold water as soon as you can, then gently dab with a little mild detergent before washing.
Avoid hot water on stains, which can set them, and be extra gentle on the graphic.
FAQ
Why does my shirt look slightly different from my friend's?
That's garment dyeing. Each shirt takes the dye a little differently, so small shade differences are normal.
Will my tee shrink?
Comfort Colors tees are pre-shrunk, so you shouldn't see major shrinkage if you wash cold and dry low or hang dry.
Will it get softer over time?
Garment-dyed cotton starts soft, and many people find it gets even more comfortable with wear and washing.
Do I need fabric softener?
No. A gentle wash in cold water and low-heat drying is all a garment-dyed tee needs.
We chose Comfort Colors because they're the tees we actually want to live in: on the trail, around the fire and on lazy Sunday mornings. A little laundry care keeps them that way for years.
Ready for a new favorite? Browse Outdoor Tees, Pet Lovers or Backyard Humor. Every tee in those collections is printed on a soft, garment-dyed Comfort Colors tee. Now go get it a little dirty. You know how to wash it.
Outdoor Tees
Printed on soft, garment-dyed Comfort Colors tees.
