1. Machine wash in warm or cool water with like colors.
High temperature will shorten the life of the garment and decoration, so never use anything hotter than warm water. Colors can also bleed either out from or on to your new Threads if washed with garments of different colors.
2. Turn garments inside out.
During the washing and drying process, clothes rub against each other and can increase the abrasion/wear on the decoration. We recommend turning garments inside out to give an extra layer of protection to the designs printed on your Threads.
3. Only use mild detergent.
Detergents with special additives designed to "whiten", "fight stains", or "brighten colors" are more harsh and may shorten the life of the decoration
4. Don’t Use Oxy or Bleach.
The primary ingredient in oxygenated laundry products is solidified hydrogen peroxide. While it’s highly effective at removing stains, it can remove, fade, or discolor pigments just like bleach does.
5. Don’t Use Fabric Softeners.
Fabric softeners create a cloudy film on the surface of screen print ink (which is what the majority of our transfers are made out of). Softeners also work by breaking down the fibers of the fabric, which may make it feel softer in the short term, but will also shorten the life of the garment.
6. Dry on low heat or hang dry.
We do not recommend drying on any setting above LOW. Excessive heat damages the inks on printed garments and will shorten the life of the decoration or could even melt it altogether. Hang dry is the best way to dry decorated garments for the longest life, but tumble dry or low heat are acceptable.
7. Don’t iron directly on it.
Never iron over or near the decoration. Ironing can cause the ink to melt or burn. If you absolutely must remove wrinkles from your Threads, we recommend using a steamer if at all possible and moving quickly across the garment, not hovering too long over the decorated areas. Alternatively, the garment can be hung in a bathroom with the shower running to steam the wrinkles out. As a last resort, you can throw it in dryer with a damp washcloth for just a few minutes while you keep an eye on it.
Follow these 7 instructions when caring for your Threads and they will last a long time. Failure to follow any of these instructions can ruin a garment in just a couple washes or less. We know you don’t want that and neither do we!