Craig Landes Blog
Sports Wear Information
How Long Can a T-shirt Last?
We all know that t-shirts don’t last forever. Indeed, no type of clothing can. However, we may care to ask how long a good quality t-shirt should last. The answer to this question is largely dependent of how often you wear the shirt and how you care for it. These are the two major factors that affect the shelf life of a t-shirt. Other important factors that affect how long a t-shirt will last include the construction of the t-shirt and how well it is stored.
In essence, a t-shirt will last for a long time provided that it is well constructed, not worn too frequently, stored appropriately, and cared for properly. Even if you wear a t-shirt every day, it will still give you some few months of bliss and comfort if it is well-made, cared for properly, and stored appropriately.
These factors are explained in more details below:
The T-shirt Construction
The construction of a t-shirt encompasses such things as the quality of fabric and threads used, the number of stitches per inch, and the quality of the buttons, and more. These construction factors will affect how long your t-shirt will last. As such, when you are shopping for a durable t-shirt, check out for the following features:
- Pay close attention to the stitching at the seams. Ensure that they are very strong.
- The density and type of the fabric matters a lot. Make sure you check these and be sure that you know what you are getting.
- Take a good look at the buttons. Examine how they are sewn on, and ascertain that the stitching is strong enough.
How Often You Wear the T-shirt
The more you wear a t-shirt, the more often you will need to wash it. Conversely, the more often you wash a t-shirt, the more likely it is to wear out. According to those in the laundry industry, a shirt can only last about 35 to 50 washings.
Even if you choose to dry-clean your t-shirts, the number of times the t-shirt goes into a clothes dryer also affect how long it will last. In fact, t-shirts have been proven to last much longer if they are hung up or laid flat rather that when they are dried in clothes dryer.
So then, if we can find a way not to wash and/or dry a t-shirt every time it is worn, them it will last much longer. How can this be done while maintaining proper hygiene? If you only wear t-shirt for just an hour or two, you may not need to wash it each time you wear it.
How You Wear the T-shirt
In line with how often you wear your t-shirts, you should also mind how you wear them. This also affects how long they will last. For example, the amount of antiperspirant you use will affect the life-span of your t-shirt. Aluminum chlorides, found in antiperspirants, usually cause fabric to deteriorate and cause discoloration in the armpit region of clothes. Sweat also does the same.
Furthermore, if you wear the collar of the t-shirt too tightly; you will soon begin to notice signs of abrasion in the neck region. Also, if the t-shirt is too tight through the torso, the seams will begin to weaken in no time. So then, if you want your t-shirts to last really long, make sure you wear them properly.
How You Take Care of the T-shirt
We cannot ignore how good a t-shirt looks in determining its durability. Therefore, you would want to make sure that your t-shirts keep looking their best for a long time. This depends on how well you take care of them.
It is not good to pile up your dirty t-shirts up for weeks before washing them. You should wash them as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is not advisable to use bleach on your t-shirt more than once or twice throughout its entire lifespan. Frequent use of bleach gradually weakens the fabric, and holes may begin to appear on the t-shirt as time goes on.
Harsh detergents also have the same effect as bleach. So then, it is better to use gentle detergents in washing, and to wash with slow agitation. With proper care, a t-shirt will last for as long as you want it to, even for decades.
How You Store the T-shirt
Your t-shirts will probably spend more time in storage than on your body. You must therefore make sure they are properly stored, whether they are dirty or clean. When your t-shirts are dirty, for example, you should not store them wet. Allow perspiration, rain, or any other thing that causes wetness to dry out before you store the t-shirt in your laundry bag.
Generally, clothes last much longer when they are stored in dark, dry places. Additionally, it is better to fold t-shirts than to put them on hangers. Hanging a t-shirt can stretch it out, thus reducing its lifespan.
In conclusion, there is no standard duration on how long a shirt will last. This is due to variations in the aforementioned factors from shirt to shirt, and from person to person. But then, we know that no t-shirt can last forever. Nonetheless, it isn't that hard to make them last for a very long time so long as we are willing to exert some mental effort in applying preservation tips.