How to Keep Your T-Shirts in Shape – Washing and Drying

Short answer: T-shirts lose their shape because of heat, mechanical wear and the wrong drying. Wash at 30 degrees, skip the tumble dryer, and dry the top flat or on a hanger without wringing it, and it will keep its shape and length markedly longer.

Why t-shirts lose their shape

Heat makes the fibres contract, and tumbling wears them round and slack. At the same time a wet t-shirt stretches if it is hung up by the hem or wrung out hard. So the shape mostly disappears in the laundry room, not while you wear it.

The five most important washing rules

Wash at 30 degrees, use a gentle detergent without bleach, wash inside out, spin at a low speed, and drop the tumble dryer. The whole routine is described in our washing guide for bamboo clothing.

Drying is half the job

Dry the t-shirt flat or on a wide hanger, and gently pull it back into shape while it is damp. That way you avoid both stretched necklines and crooked seams.

Start with a fabric that holds up

Bamboo viscose has elastic fibres that find their way back into shape after washing. Have a look at our bamboo t-shirts for men and bamboo t-shirts for women, and read why quality pays off in the article about bamboo and economy.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the neckline on my t-shirt go slack?

Usually because the t-shirt is tumble dried or hung up wet by the neck. Dry it flat or on a wide hanger, and the neckline keeps its spring.

Can I save a t-shirt that has lost its shape?

Partly. Wash it at 30 degrees, pull it back into shape while wet and dry it flat. Fibres that are completely stretched out cannot be restored, though.

Can bamboo t-shirts go in the tumble dryer?

It is not recommended. Tumbling wears the fibres and is the most common cause of shrinking and lost shape. Air drying is the gentlest option, and it is free.