Spandex T-shirts: How to Wash & Care

Spandex fabric is made up of polyether-polyurea copolymer. This polymer is recognized for its durability and elasticity. Spandex fabric is referred to as Lycra or elastane due to its composition and elastic nature. “It is a lightweight fabric that feels soft and breathable. Spandex is heat-resistant and stretches up to 5 to 8 times from its original shape. It is blended with cotton, linen, and other fabrics to make them stretchable. Spandex is used to manufacture sports wear, swimwear, and casual T-shirts. They require special care when washed due to their soft texture. Poor washing techniques affect the quality of spandex and decrease its lifespan. Follow the right washing guides to increase their longevity and comfort.

How to Wash Spandex T-shirts?

Here are the four tips to wash a spandex T-shirt:

1. Cold Water Wash: Cold or lukewarm water at 30 °C is ideal for washing spandex t-shirts. It projects them losing their original colors and stretch. It does not allow them to shrink and change their dimension. Cold water is suitable for washing all types of fabric 
2. Gentle Cycle: Set the low spin speed mood when washing the spandex t-shirts in the machine. The harder the spins, the higher the friction and tangling among t-shirts. These hard spins leave wrinkles, and T-shirts lose their shine over time. Use the thumb rule of two-thirds to fill the machine. The manufacturer recommends handwashing the spandex T-shirts if possible. Use a mild detergent for hand-washing and rub the T-shirts to lighten and remove stains.
3. Mild Detergent: Wash with a mild detergent that contains no harsh chemicals, fragrances, or dyes. These mild detergents do not contain any harmful chemicals (sulfates, phosphates) and reduce the risk of skin irritation. Prefer the liquid detergent over the powder one because it mixes with water easily. Powder detergent leaves residues stuck in the spandex t-shirts and causes serious health issues in people who wear them.
4. Wash Separately: Sort the T-shirts on the basis of color and wash them separately from the white ones. It helps to reduce the likelihood of dye transfers.

Can Spandex T-shirts Shrink in the Wash?

Yes, Spandex T-shirts shrink in the wash due to high heat and air drying. Here are the three factors that influence its shrinkage:

1. Minimal Shrinkage: Spandex fabric is shrink-resistant to some extent due to its rubber-like nature. It quickly returns to its original shape when stretched or pulled.
2. High Heat: Spandex changes its dimensions in high heat due to its synthetic composition. Spandex fabric contracts and tightens when exposed to a temperature of 60 C.
3. Natural Fibers: This stretchable fabric shrinks when there is a blend of natural fibers (cotton) in it. Cotton shrinks faster in high heat.
4. Air Drying: Air drying at high heat damages the spandex fibers and causes shrinkage. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before buying the T-shirts. Soak them in lukewarm water for 15 minutes to unshrink them and avoid harsh detergents.

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

Here are the four best ways to iron and dry spandex T-shirts:

1. Avoid Direct Heat: Avoid spreading spandex t-shirts in the sunlight. UV radiation fades away its colors and damages the fibers. Make sure to spread spandex T-shirts in the shade to help maintain their original colors. Bring in t-shirts from the clothesline when they are slightly damp to iron them. 
2. Air Dry Flat: Spread clothes after tapping off the excess water on the flat surface. Make sure this flat surface is in a shady area to avoid fading and weakening of the fabric. Reshape the collar, sleeve, and t-shirt to their original form before air drying. People also use a drying tumble at low heat and open air to dry spandex T-shirts.
3. Low Heat or Steam Iron: Open air is best for drying clothes, as it protects T-shirts from direct heat. Use low heat or steam iron if required. Keep a pressing cloth to reduce the high heat transmission to T-shirts.
4. Iron Inside Out: Turn the spandex T-shirts inside out to protect the writings and designs from smudging. This method works well for T-shirts with beads and embroidery. The iron no longer sticks and leaves stains on T-shirts.

How to Store Spandex T-shirts?

Here are the three tips to store spandex T-shirts:

1. Folded Storage: Fold clothes neatly and organize them strategically. Use a drawer to store the T-shirts and place the cedar block to keep the moths away.
2. Cool, Dry Place: Clean the space before storing the T-shirts. Remove moisture as it creates a bad odor in T-shirts and increases the mildew growth. Place a rough piece of cloth on the bottom before placing the storage bags on top.
3. Avoid Plastic Bags: Use breathable fabric bags as they allow the air to pass between T-shirts. Cotton bags maintain the fresh look of spandex T-shirts for a long time.

What Are the Common Care Mistakes with Spandex T-shirts?

Here are the four common care mistakes with spandex T-shirts:

1. Bleach or Harsh Detergents: Avoid using chlorine bleach and harsh detergents to wash spandex T-shirts. They affect the quality of fabric and increase the risk of skin diseases.
2. High Heat Drying: Using high heat drying tumble reduces the elasticity of spandex and increases shrinkage. Set the iron and steam to low heat mode before drying the spandex T-shirts.
3. Overstretching: Stretching the spandex T-shirts beyond their limit affects their shape. They become loose to wear even with a normal size.
4. Ironing on High Heat: High-heat ironing without using any pressing cloth leaves irreversible damage on the fabric of T-shirts. 

What are the Tips to Keep Spandex T-shirts Stretchy and Durable

Here are the three tips to keep spandex T-shirts stretchy and durable:

1. Wash Cold with Gentle Detergent: Use cold water of 30 C, and gentle detergents (baking soda, lime juice) to remove stains. 
2. Store Folded: Fold clothes neatly for longer storage. Organize them strategically and keep the frequently used ones on top.
3. Use Low Heat when Ironing: Use low heat when ironing and steaming clothes. Make sure the spandex T-shirts are slightly damp to reduce the damage.