Powerhouse shirts are built to outlast a training block. Take care of them the right way and the print will hold for years.
Here's the whole care sheet.
Washing
- Turn the shirt inside-out before it goes in the machine. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect the print.
- Wash in cold water. Cold protects the fabric and the print. Hot water shortens the life of both.
- Use a mild detergent. Skip the bleach. Skip the fabric softener too. Softener leaves a residue that dulls the print.
- Wash with similar colors. Especially the first two or three washes.
Drying
- Tumble dry on low or hang dry. If you have the time, hang drying doubles the life of the print.
- Take it out while it's still slightly damp if you're using a dryer. Over-drying is what causes stiffness and shrinkage.
- Don't dry-clean. The solvents used in dry cleaning aren't friendly to DTF prints.
Ironing
- Never iron directly on the print. The print will melt or crack.
- To iron the fabric, turn the shirt inside-out and iron the back of the print area, or iron around the design on the outside.
- Use low heat. Skip the steam.
Storage
- Fold, don't hang heavy tees and tanks. Hangers stretch out the shoulders over time.
- Store dry. Damp shirts breed mildew and can cause the print to lift.
Common Print Questions
Is the print going to crack?
Not if you follow the guide above. DTF prints are flexible and durable, but they're not invincible. High heat and abrasive detergents are what shorten print life.
What if I already washed it wrong?
Give it a day, then check the print. If it looks intact, you're fine. Just switch to the care routine above going forward. If the print has visibly cracked or lifted after just one wash, email us with a photo.
Can I bleach out a stain?
No. Bleach will damage both the fabric and the print. For stubborn stains, spot-treat with a small amount of mild detergent, gently rub in cold water, and let it soak for 15 minutes before a regular wash.
TL;DR
Inside-out. Cold. Tumble low. No bleach. No softener. No iron on the print.
Do that, and your Powerhouse shirt will still look sharp two years from now.