Wash your garment dyed tee inside out in cold water (30°C / 86°F or cooler) with similar colors, on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener, then hang it to dry or tumble dry on low. That simple routine keeps the cotton soft and the print sharp for years.
Why garment dyed tees are worth a little care
Most t-shirts are cut from fabric that was dyed on the roll. Garment dyed tees are sewn first and dyed afterwards, which is what gives a Comfort Colors 1717 its soft hand and slightly faded, lived in color. It is also why each shirt looks a little unique.
The good news is that these shirts are tough. The 1717 is a heavyweight, pre-shrunk 100% ring spun cotton tee. A few easy habits are all it takes to keep it looking like your favorite thrift store find.
Sort by color before every wash
Comfort Colors’ own care instructions for the 1717 say to wash with like colors. Keep your ivory, butter and mint shirts together and wash charcoal, navy and pepper tones in a separate load.
The wash: cold, inside out and gentle
- Turn the shirt inside out. It protects the printed design from rubbing against zips, buttons and the drum.
- Use cold water. The 1717 care label caps the wash at 30°C, about 86°F.
- Choose a gentle or delicate cycle and a mild detergent.
- Skip chlorine bleach. Comfort Colors only allows oxygen based bleach, and you rarely need any at all.
- Leave out fabric softener. Printful’s print care guide notes it can be harsh on printed ink over time.
Drying without the shrink
Heat is the enemy of both cotton and print. Hanging your tee inside out to air dry is the safest option. If you use a dryer, pick the low heat setting and take the shirt out while it is still very slightly damp.
Ironing, storage and what to skip
Comfort Colors advises against ironing and dry cleaning the 1717. Garment dyed cotton looks best a little relaxed anyway. If you really want it crisp, iron it inside out on the lowest setting and never press directly on the design.
Fold your tees rather than hanging them for months on end, which can stretch the shoulders. A drawer or a shelf is perfect.
Quick care checklist
- Inside out, every time
- Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent
- Wash with similar colors
- No chlorine bleach, no fabric softener
- Hang dry or tumble dry low
- No ironing on the print and no dry cleaning
Looking for your next favorite? Browse our moonlit animals collection, the nostalgic Never Forget cassette tee, or check the size guide to find your fit.
FAQ
Will a garment dyed tee shrink in the wash?
Comfort Colors 1717 tees are made from pre-shrunk ring spun cotton, so shrinkage is minimal. Heat is what causes most of it, so wash cold and tumble dry on low or hang it up.
Can I put my Thriftem tee in the dryer?
Yes, on a low heat setting. Hanging it to dry is gentler on both the cotton and the print, so do that when you can.
Why does my new tee look slightly different from my friend’s?
Garment dyeing happens after the shirt is sewn, so every batch takes the color a little differently. Small shade differences are normal and part of the look.
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