White Tank Top for Men – Guide

Short answer: A white tank top for men is the most used layer in the drawer, and it has to do two things: keep the skin dry and stay white. Bamboo viscose solves the first job, and the way it is washed decides the second.

Why white gets worn most

White works under a pale shirt, can be worn alone in summer and looks clean as long as it is. That is also why it is washed more often than the rest of the drawer, and why it wears out faster than a black model over the same period.

How white turns grey

White turns grey from two things: colour given off by dark clothes in the machine, and skin oils that build up in the fibres at temperatures that are too low. Wash the white ones together on their own, and use an ordinary detergent rather than one for delicates.

Yellow marks under the arms

Yellow marks in the armpit come from the aluminium salts in deodorant, not from the sweat itself. Let the deodorant dry before you put the top on, and wash the top the same day. Once the mark has set in the fibre, it is hard to remove completely.

The right fabric

Bamboo viscose moves moisture off the skin and feels cool, where cotton turns wet and stays wet. Have a look at the bamboo tank tops for men and choose a thin quality if the top is to be worn under a shirt all day.

Under a pale shirt

A white tank top shows more clearly under a white shirt than a nude one, because white fabric throws the light back. If the layer has to be invisible, nude is right. If the top is to be worn alone, white is still the most useful colour in the drawer.

The fit

Under a shirt the top has to sit close against the skin to absorb sweat. Worn alone, it may sit looser and hang freely. Those are two different models, and few can do both. Have a look at bamboo vests for men.

How many and how long

Count on four to six white ones if one is worn every day. A white top is used up when it has turned grey or yellow, even if the fabric is intact, because with white it is the appearance and not the function that decides the lifespan.

The wash that keeps it white

Wash at 30 to 40 degrees together with other white items, without fabric softener, and skip the tumble dryer. If the top has taken on a grey cast, a wash with oxygen based bleach helps. Chlorine should not be used, because it dissolves viscose fibres. See also washing guide for bamboo clothing and bamboo for training.

Frequently asked questions

Why do white tops turn yellow under the arms?

It is the aluminium salts in deodorant reacting with sweat. Let the deodorant dry first and wash the top the same day, and the mark does not get the chance to set.