Nylon T-shirts: How to Wash & Care

Nylon is a type of soft fabric made up of chemicals from petroleum. Nylon is referred to as a polyamide due to its polyamide nature. It is a man-made fabric that undergoes chemical reactions to extrude fiber. That fiber is then woven to create a yarn of nylon. Nylon is not the only fabric that contains the polyamide components. They are also present in soft silk and comfortable wool fabric. Nylon T-shirts are made up of nylon fabric, and they are worn during carpentry, painting, and construction work. They are famous due to their water and abrasion-resistant properties. Water does not penetrate nylon fabric, instead, it rolls off in droplets. Unlike other fabrics, nylon needs extra care during washing. Poor washing techniques, use of detergents, and excessive pilling destroy the nylon fibers. Follow the right washing, ironing, and storing techniques to increase its lifespan and minimize the damage.

How Should You Wash Nylon T-shirts?

Here are the four tips for washing nylon t-shirts:

1. Cold Water Wash: Use the cold or lukewarm water at 30 °C to wash the nylon t-shirts. This water temperature preserves the original colors of T-shirts and protects threads from weakening. Cold to lukewarm water is recommended for all types of fabric, including wool, silk, and cotton. 
2. Gentle or Delicate Cycle: Set the low spin speed mood when washing in the machine. Hard spins increase the friction and tangling among t-shirts. It also produces high wrinkles and weakens the threads. Manufacturer recommend handwashing the nylon and polyester T-shirts because of their nature. Grab a bucket and pour in some lukewarm water with a mild detergent for hand-washing. Rub the T-shirts to lighten and remove stains.
3. Mild Detergent Only: Use mild detergents without any fragrance or dyes. These mild detergents do not contain toxic chemicals like sulfates and phosphates that cause skin irritation. Prefer the liquid detergents because they dissolve easily and do not leave any residue like powder ones. Mild detergents reduce the risk of respiratory and skin diseases in people of all ages.
4. Avoid Fabric Softeners: Avoid fabric softeners to add fragrance after washing because they contain harmful chemicals and hormone-disturbing toxins. They cause skin rashes, difficulty in respiration, and residue buildup. It's a non-biodegradable bioproduct that leaves harmful residues stuck in fabrics.

Can Nylon T-shirts Shrink in the Wash?

Nylon T-shirts are shrink-resistant, but there are three factors that affect their dimensions:

1. Resistant to Shrinkage: Nylon is a shrink-resistant fabric due to its composition and texture. It folds back to its normal shape even after multiple wrinkles.
2. High Heat: High heat and excessive temperatures above 60 °C cause the nylon to change its shape. It may change its dimensions. This melting process changes the size and shape of t-shirts over time. People use cold and lukewarm water to restore their shape. 
3. Air Drying: Air drying is the process of using cold or low-heat water to dry nylon t-shirts. Air drying with a tumble dryer prevents the risk of melting fabrics. This method makes the process faster while also shielding the fabric from direct sunlight.

What is the Best Way to Dry and Iron Nylon T-shirts?

Here are the four best ways to iron and dry nylon t-shirts:

1. Air Dry Flat: Spread T-shirts to dry immediately after tapping off the excess water. Use hangers or a clothesline to dry them in the open air. Make sure that hangers are in the shade to avoid fading and melting of nylon threads. This technique works best for all types of fabric. People reshape the sleeves, collar, and t-shirt into their original shape to avoid wrinkles.
2. Low-Heat Tumble Dry: Set the tumble dryer to low heat to prevent the threads from weakening and melting.
3. Low Heat Ironing: There is no need to iron nylon fabric because of its smooth texture and wrinkle-free look. Set the iron to low heat if the need arises, and make sure it does not burn the fabric.
4. Use a Pressing Cloth: Use a pressing cloth and place it above the nylon t-shirt before ironing. It acts as a shield and controls the transfer of high heat to the fabric. Always check the care label before you start ironing.

How to Remove Stains from Nylon T-shirts?

Here are the four tips to remove stains from nylon fiber t-shirts:

1. Treat Stains Immediately: Nylon absorbs the stain faster than wool and polyester fabric. Make sure to treat them immediately because they get harder to remove with every second that passes. Use any mild detergent and rub the stains until they change color, and then put them in the washing machine.
2. Use Mild Soap: People prefer to use soap to remove the oily and greasy marks. Prefer the mild detergents with zero fragrance and dyes to remove these spots. Mid detergents work like a natural solution and do not cause fraying in nylon fabric. 
3. Avoid Bleach: Don’t use chlorine bleach to remove stains because its byproducts cause toxic reactions and serious skin rashes. It also leads to respiratory issues, so prefer the color-safe bleach as an alternative.
4. Spot Clean Before Washing: Pre-treat the stains if it was not done before putting them into the washing machine. This step reduces the labour of rubbing the T-shirts when washing in a machine.

How to Store Nylon T-shirts Properly?

Here are the four tips to store the nylon T-shirts properly:

1. Fold or Hang: Folding or hanging does not affect the texture and smoothness of nylon fiber. Hang or fold them neatly to store them for the long term.
2. Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Store the nylon T-shirts in a clean and dry place. Remove the dust and moisture because they leave a bad odour in clothes and increase the mildew growth. Use cedar blocks or dried flowers to create an aroma in the storage area. It protects the drawer and bags from moths and insects. 
3. Keep Away from Heat Sources: Nylon is prone to damage when exposed to sunlight. Make sure to store it in clean storage bags to increase its lifespan.
4. Avoid Heavy Weight on Top: Don’t overstuff the clothes in storage bags. It increases the friction and leads to fraying. Don’t put heavy objects over the stored t-shirts to prevent stretching. Prioritize the fabric bags over plastic ones because they trap moisture.

What Are the Long-Term Care Tips for Nylon T-shirts?

Here are the long-term care tips for nylon t-shirts:

1. Wash Inside Out: Turn the nylon t-shirts inside out to protect against pilling and friction.
2. Avoid Frequent High-Heat Exposure: Nylon melts when exposed to heat and sunlight. Use an air dryer to dry them or spread them in the shade.
3. Rotate Usage: Rotate the t-shirts to reduce the washing frequency and increase the lifespan of nylon t-shirts.