Your favourite tee and your trusty phone case have something in common: they spend a lot of time with you. One gets you dressed. The other comes along while you check the weather to avoid awkward social situations, ignore a notification and duck unknown numbers.
A little care can help keep their prints looking their best for longer. No elaborate rituals required. Just a few good habits and a firm boundary with the tumble dryer.
Caring for your graphic tees
First, an inside job.
Turn your tee inside out before washing. This helps reduce direct rubbing against the print while it takes a spin with the rest of your laundry. Wash with similar colours, and keep rough items, exposed zips and hook-and-loop fastenings out of the same load where possible. Your favourite graphic doesn’t need a wrestling match.
Keep it cool.
Machine wash cold, at a maximum of 30°C, using a gentle cycle and mild detergent. Follow the detergent’s recommended amount. More suds don’t mean more love. Always check your garment’s care label before washing, It’s the small print worth reading.
Skip the heat treatment.
For our tees, the rules are straightforward: no bleach, no tumble drying, no ironing and no dry cleaning. Tempting as a quick blast in the dryer might be, this is one shortcut to skip.
Instead, gently reshape your tee while it’s damp and air dry it in the shade with good airflow. Avoid wringing it hard or stretching the fabric around the print. Think gentle encouragement, not an upper-body workout.
Treat marks, not the artwork.
If lunch makes an unexpected appearance on your tee, tackle the stain gently. Don’t scrub the printed area or apply strong stain removers directly to it. Check that any cleaning product is suitable for the garment first. The aim is to remove the evidence of lunch, not take the design with it.
Give it a decent place to rest.
Put your tee away clean and completely dry, somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. Avoid sharp folds through the artwork where practical. No need to give it its own bedroom. A sensible spot in yours will do.
Caring for your printed phone case
Your case handles a busy schedule: pockets, bags, desks and whatever was on your hands when you picked it up. A gentle clean now and then helps stop everyday grime becoming a permanent guest.
Phone out. Soft cloth in.
Remove your phone before cleaning the case, then start with a soft, slightly damp cloth and wipe gently. For a stubborn mark, try a small amount of mild soap on the cloth, testing an inconspicuous area first. Wipe away any residue and let the case dry completely before putting your phone back in. The phone can sit this round out.
Leave the heavy-duty cleaners alone.
Avoid abrasive scourers, stiff brushes, cleaning powders and harsh household cleaners or solvents, including acetone and bleach. If it’s built to wage war on oven grease, it’s not our first choice for your printed case.
Don’t soak the case or put it in the dishwasher, either. It doesn’t need to join the cutlery. Keep cleaning controlled and liquids away from your phone.
Check for pocket passengers.
Every so often, check inside the case and gently remove trapped dust or grit. Those tiny bits are better out than left rubbing between your case and phone.
Keep it out of the hot seat.
Avoid unnecessary heat and prolonged direct sunlight, especially hot dashboards and spots beside heaters. Try not to carry the case loose against keys or other sharp objects, too. They’re not always the friendliest bag companions.
Made to be enjoyed, not fussed over.
Everyday wear is normal, and no print stays brand-new forever. Good care is about reducing unnecessary heat, harsh cleaning and friction, not turning your favourite pieces into museum exhibits.
Keep washes cool, let tees air dry and give your case a gentle wipe when it needs one.
Then get back to wearing what you love. That’s the point.