Shirts: How many washes before alterations?

beerbudget · Sep 16, 2010

So how many washes do you give your new cotton dress shirts before taking them to the tailor for alterations, in my case sleeves shortened.

Is 1 wash sufficient for shrinkage or 2 (or more)?

acecow · Sep 16, 2010

I usually wash once and dry on medium heat. I believe that's enough for the shirt to shrink.

hst · Sep 16, 2010

I washed my shirts once before alteration.

wetnose · Sep 16, 2010

The "drying on heat" part is critical - if you don't do that, then it won't count.

ChicagoMediaMan · Sep 16, 2010

Just once, but I wash all of my dress shirts in cold water and hang-dry them after each wearing. I never dry them.

kohelet · Sep 16, 2010

Originally Posted by ChicagoMediaMan-27

Just once, but I wash all of my dress shirts in cold water and hang-dry them after each wearing. I never dry them.

You do "dry them" It is called air drying. And I agree, Cold water and then air dry.

And if you use a machine gentle (delicate) rinse cold water.

acecow · Sep 16, 2010

Originally Posted by kohelet

You do "dry them" It is called air drying. And I agree, Cold water and then air dry.

And if you use a machine gentle (delicate) rinse cold water.

Do it once on medium heat in the dryer to let it shrink. Then only cold-wash and hang to dry.

bowtielover · Sep 16, 2010

Once should be enough but you can try a 2nd time and if still nothing then take it to a tailor.

dragon8 · Sep 17, 2010

Thought it was best for 2-3 washes?

blackwar12 · Sep 17, 2010

Originally Posted by acecow

Do it once on medium heat in the dryer to let it shrink. Then only cold-wash and hang to dry.
I don't understand the process of putting in the dyer after one washing. Are you saying the shrinking you will get is the equivalent of washing it with cold water 2-3 times (in other words as much as it will or should naturally shrink) and just letting it air dry? I never machine dry anything of mine that's not socks/undershirts/gym clothes in fear of having anything permanently damaged/excessively shrunk by heating, and I think I would be pretty scared if I'm internationally putting my 100% cotton shirts in the dyer =/...

acecow · Sep 17, 2010

Originally Posted by blackwar12

I don't understand the process of putting in the dyer after one washing. Are you saying the shrinking you will get is the equivalent of washing it with cold water 2-3 times (in other words as much as it will or should naturally shrink) and just letting it air dry? I never machine dry anything of mine that's not socks/undershirts/gym clothes in fear of having anything permanently damaged/excessively shrunk by heating, and I think I would be pretty scared if I'm internationally putting my 100% cotton shirts in the dyer =/...

If you want it to shrink to its normal size after one wash put it into the dryer. It won't damage the cloth, especially not after one drying cycle. If you want the shirt to shrink slowly over time and several washes then do cold water and hang to dry. It's your choice. I prefer the second option, unless I need to take a new shirt to my tailor, in which case I want it fully shrunk before any alterations.

john dough · Sep 17, 2010

I machine wash and dry my shirts at least two times before altering just to be on the safe side. I've experienced shrinkage

after alteration and I rather spend the extra time to wash/dry rather than buy another shirt.

Shirtmaven · Sep 17, 2010

no dryer with heat.
other parts of the shirt will shrink that you do not want to shrink!!!!

wash twice the way you always wash.
so if you give them out to professional cleaners, then do so.

Shirts: How many washes before alterations?

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Definitely full canvas only

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Really don't care

Depends on fabric

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