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Do dress shirts "break in"?

post #1 of 18
10/9/11 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 
Do shirts with fairly stiff cotton soften up over time, using normal machine washing? Thanks!
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post #2 of 18
10/9/11 at 11:18am
There is an entire world of cotton. It is impossible to give you a blanket statement or response to this. Learn the different types of cottons and weaves and manufacturing processes and identify which type(s) you are referring to with your shirts. By then you will be able to answer your own question.
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post #3 of 18
10/9/11 at 11:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Man Of Lint View Post

There is an entire world of cotton. It is impossible to give you a blanket statement or response to this. Learn the different types of cottons and weaves and manufacturing processes and identify which type(s) you are referring to with your shirts. By then you will be able to answer your own question.

They are mostly CT shirts in a poplin weave. Must-iron. I haven't had them long enough to experience for myself if that is the case.
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post #4 of 18
10/9/11 at 2:29pm
They often put a lot of PVC - poly vynil chloride - otherwise known as starch into them to keep them looking good while packaged. I have noted that with some of my pure cotton (plus PVC) shirts, it has taken upto ten washes to get the PVC out. The shirt then starts feeling a lot more like I think natural cotton should feel when being worn.
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post #5 of 18
10/9/11 at 6:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by deandbn View Post

They often put a lot of PVC - poly vynil chloride - otherwise known as starch into them to keep them looking good while packaged. I have noted that with some of my pure cotton (plus PVC) shirts, it has taken upto ten washes to get the PVC out. The shirt then starts feeling a lot more like I think natural cotton should feel when being worn.

Hmmm I didn't know that starch was made from PVC! Surely not great for skin contact.
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post #6 of 18
10/9/11 at 6:59pm
Uh, source for that PVC comment? Most starch is actually starch, it's just a plant carbohydrate. Never heard of PVC and starch being used interchangeably, they're totally different things. Powered PVC could serve the same role, but wouldn't think they'd call it starch.
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post #7 of 18
10/9/11 at 7:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gibonius View Post

Uh, source for that PVC comment? Most starch is actually starch, it's just a plant carbohydrate. Never heard of PVC and starch being used interchangeably, they're totally different things. Powered PVC could serve the same role, but wouldn't think they'd call it starch.

Unfortunately, not in industrial settings. There's a member here who runs a high end cleaning service, and it's something he rants on all the time. I don't know if it's PVC or not, but a lot of starch used in industrial settings is actually a glue rather than honest to god starch. It will last about 10 washings, while real starch would dissolve the instant it hits the water. The glue is cheaper by a small amount, but the added stiffness from it while the shirt is in the wash can accelerate wear on your shirt. And yes, they do call it starch.

Remember that next time you're having your shirts washed at a cheap cleaner and don't ask for starch. Even better, do 'em yourself.
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post #8 of 18
10/9/11 at 8:15pm
Thread Starter 
What about the Faultless, Magic, or Niagra starching you buy in the aerosol can at the store? What kind is that?
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post #9 of 18
10/9/11 at 8:19pm
All of my cotton shirts have tended to soften a bit after a few washings. But it does take a few to get the full effect.
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post #10 of 18
10/9/11 at 8:41pm
Yes, they do.
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post #11 of 18
10/9/11 at 9:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cptjeff View Post

Unfortunately, not in industrial settings. There's a member here who runs a high end cleaning service, and it's something he rants on all the time. I don't know if it's PVC or not, but a lot of starch used in industrial settings is actually a glue rather than honest to god starch. It will last about 10 washings, while real starch would dissolve the instant it hits the water. The glue is cheaper by a small amount, but the added stiffness from it while the shirt is in the wash can accelerate wear on your shirt. And yes, they do call it starch.
Remember that next time you're having your shirts washed at a cheap cleaner and don't ask for starch. Even better, do 'em yourself.

frown.gif

Fortunately I do all my own stuff, but damn.
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post #12 of 18
10/10/11 at 3:55am
Hi there, I have never owned any dress shirt that didn't break in after 1st wash. Just check the label. If it says 100% cotton then 1/2 wash will do the trick. Do they use PVC on shirts ?? Thats crazy !
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post #13 of 18
10/10/11 at 4:20am
low quality cotton shirting will soften, but not to the point where it will feel like a better quality cotton.

mills finish with all sorts of resins usually they are used to give a fake softness/slickness to the fabric.

other companies like J. Crew buy fabric with out these finishes. they then wash the shirts with enzymes to break down the fibers to give the fabric a softer feel. these shirts will wrinkle quickly, but that is the point.
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post #14 of 18
10/10/11 at 5:07am

they will soften eventually regardless of your washing technique, but shrinkage is another matter.

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post #15 of 18
10/10/11 at 7:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bjornb17 View Post

What about the Faultless, Magic, or Niagra starching you buy in the aerosol can at the store? What kind is that?

While I'm not sure, I think all the consumer stuff is still real starch.
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