You have invested in a beautiful shirt, for which I thank you, and it deserves the best care. Here is a guide to ensure you know exactly how to keep your shirt looking as good as new. With proper maintenance, you can enjoy wearing your shirt for much longer. A well-cared-for shirt can outlast the gentleman or lady who purchased it. That is why proper maintenance is not only important for appearance but also for your wallet.

How to Wash a Dress Shirt

Remove the collar stays before washing; turn the shirt inside out and rub soap onto the cuffs and collar. Wash at 40°C if your shirts are made of cotton. Once washed, shake them out immediately and hang them up to dry. It is best to avoid using a tumble dryer.

If you take your shirt to a professional laundry service and receive high-quality service, your shirt will be returned perfectly folded, sometimes with a decorative ribbon to keep it neatly in place. A well-cared-for shirt can then be placed directly on the wardrobe shelf or packed into a suitcase. Those who wash their shirts at home will need to practice folding them neatly—a skill that improves with time.

Check the care label for the recommended ironing temperature. In general, pure linen can withstand high heat, cotton requires slightly less heat, and wool, silk, and blended fabrics should not be ironed at high temperatures. Be cautious with synthetic fabrics and fiber blends.

Ironing

Start with the collar. If it is difficult to get smooth, it is likely too dry—sprinkling it with water will help. This applies to the rest of the shirt as well. Iron from the collar points toward the center of the collar to prevent wrinkles. If the shirt has flap pockets or partially detachable epaulets, lay them flat under the iron, ensuring that no other parts of the shirt are beneath them.

Next, place the shoulder section on the pointed end of the ironing board, with the back of the shirt facing you, and iron it.

Lay the placket (the strip with buttonholes) flat in the center of the ironing board and iron over the buttonholes and around the buttons. Pay extra attention to the placket, as it is highly visible. For each section of the placket, also iron the adjacent front panel. Button the shirt (it’s fine to skip every other button, but always fasten the top button).

Now, lay a sleeve flat on the ironing board, ensuring that already ironed sections of the shirt do not get too wrinkled as they hang off the board. Iron the cuff while it is flat. If the shirt has double cuffs, also iron the backside, as it becomes part of the visible front when folded. If desired, press a crease into the sleeve for a sharper look.

How to wash a dress shirt

Shirts are made to be worn, not worshiped. This means they get dirty. However, with proper care, a high quality dress shirt can last for several years and continue to look great. In this post, we’re going to break down three of the most popular washing methods and detail how you can keep your dress shirts looking great for years to come. We’ll also outline how to deal with special emergencies as well as provide some other cleaning tips.

Method 1: “Wash and Press” at the Cleaners

“Wash and press” is the standard cleaning method used by most dry cleaners. (Don’t be misled by the name “dry-cleaners”—unless you specifically request dry cleaning, they are likely using the wash and press method.) This is our preferred option. With a cost of around $1.50 per shirt, it’s relatively inexpensive and keeps shirts looking crisp.

At most cleaners, the process involves:

Washing the shirt in a standard washing machine with water and detergent.
Removing excess water using a spin cycle.
Pulling the damp shirt onto an industrial press, which simultaneously irons and dries the fabric.

✅ Pros: Convenient and relatively affordable.

❌ Cons: Some cleaners may be too rough on shirts. The force of the press can crack or break buttons. If the shirt torso or sleeve is stretched tightly over the press during steaming, it may become misshapen. Additionally, collars often get flattened during transport, requiring extra ironing for a polished look.

Method 2: Washing the Shirt at Home

If you don’t fully trust your dry cleaner or prefer to have more control over the washing process, you can wash your dress shirts at home. This is a great option but requires extra time and care. Follow these steps for the best results:

Prepare the shirt: Unbutton all buttons, including cuffs and collar buttons. Remove any collar stays and store them safely.
Treat stains: Apply a small amount of detergent or a stain remover pen to any stains before washing.
Set up the washing machine:
· Use the delicate cycle for lightweight or fine fabrics.
· Use the normal cycle for heavier fabrics or very soiled shirts.
· White and light-colored shirts can be washed in warm water.
· Dark-colored shirts should be washed in cold water to prevent fading.
· Avoid washing shirts with bright-colored garments that may bleed.
Use a high-quality detergent, such as Woolite Complete, appropriate for the shirt’s color. Avoid chlorine-based detergents, as they can cause discoloration.
Drying process:
· The spin cycle will remove most of the water.
· Promptly remove the shirts from the machine to prevent deep wrinkles.
· Hang them on a hanger or lay them flat to air dry. Avoid sharp hangers or tight clothespins, as they can distort the fabric.
Ironing: You don’t need to wait until the shirts are completely dry—ironing while they are slightly damp makes the process easier.

✅ Pros: Full control over the process, better stain treatment, and gentle care for buttons and collars.

❌ Cons: Time-consuming and requires attention to detail.

Method 3: Dry Cleaning at the Cleaners

While we don’t generally recommend dry cleaning cotton dress shirts, some people still prefer this method. It prevents shrinkage and doesn’t damage the fabric, but it also has drawbacks.

🔹 Why isn’t dry cleaning ideal?

Expensive—usually over $5 per shirt.
Water-soluble stains like sweat may not be removed. Since dry cleaning solvents contain little to no water, sweat-based dirt may remain in the fabric.
Washing dress shirts in water is more effective at removing sweat and dirt.
However, oil-based stains (such as grease or makeup) are better treated with dry cleaning.

✅ Pros: Convenient, reduces wear and tear, removes oil-based stains.

❌ Cons: Does not effectively remove sweat or water-based stains, expensive, and dependent on the cleaner’s quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can I put dress shirts in the dryer?

We recommend air drying shirts on a hanger whenever possible. If using a dryer, select a low heat setting and remove the shirt while it’s still slightly damp. Then, iron immediately to remove any remaining moisture and wrinkles. Fully drying shirts in the dryer can make them harder to iron perfectly and cause excess shrinkage.

❓ How do I remove a stain from a white shirt?

If you accidentally spill wine or pasta sauce, act fast to minimize staining.

Remove excess debris with a brush or knife to prevent spreading.
Treat the stain immediately with water or a stain remover. The sooner, the better.
No stain remover available? Try a Tide Pen, dish soap, lemon juice, vinegar, or club soda.
Dab the stain gently rather than rubbing it in, as excessive pressure may push the stain deeper into the fabric.
Repeat as needed until the stain disappears.

❓ Should I use starch when ironing a dress shirt?

While some people like their shirts heavily starched, we strongly advise against it.

Starch may make broadcloth or oxford shirts look extra crisp, but it weakens the fibers over time.
The starch particles embed in the fabric and act like tiny knives that break down fibers, causing premature wear and tear.