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You've invested in custom embroidered apparel for your company. Great Choice! Embroidery as a form of adding a logo to your company’s gear is smart. Not only does it look amazing, but it’s also extremely durable if it receives proper care.
A little TLC goes a long way in keeping your logo crisp, your threads vibrant, and your apparel looking as professional as the day it arrived. With just a few simple laundry habits, you can help preserve both the fabric and the stitching for years of wear.
Quick Care Tips for Embroidered Apparel
If you're short on time, here's the cheat sheet:
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Turn garments inside out before washing.
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Wash in cold water using a gentle cycle.
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Use a mild detergent (skip the bleach).
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Avoid washing with items that have exposed zippers, hooks, or rough hardware.
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Air dry whenever possible, or tumble dry on low heat.
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Iron from the reverse side or use a pressing cloth over the embroidery.
Now, let's dive into why these simple steps matter.
Wash Inside Out
Turning your embroidered apparel inside out helps protect the stitched design from rubbing against other garments during the wash cycle. Less friction = less wear = your embroidery stays clean, smooth, and vibrant.
Choose Cold Water and a Gentle Cycle
Hot water can cause fabrics to shrink and may shorten the life of both the garment and the embroidery. Washing with cold water on a gentle cycle is the safest choice, especially for embroidered polos, sweatshirts, jackets, and performance apparel.
If your embroidery includes bright or contrasting thread colors, cold water also helps reduce the chance of color bleeding.
Keep Rough Laundry Separate
Jeans with heavy hardware, jackets with metal zippers, or clothing with large buttons can snag embroidered stitches during the wash. Yikes!
Whenever possible, wash embroidered items with similar fabrics. Or you can even place them in a mesh laundry bag for an extra layer of protection.
Use a Mild Detergent
Harsh detergents, bleach, and strong stain removers can weaken fabric fibers and affect thread colors over time. A mild detergent will do the job of keeping embroidered apparel looking fresh without being too aggressive.
Air Dry When You Can
If you've got the time, air dry. Similar to using cold water, air drying will minimize shrinking boy avoiding excessive heat. Heat exposure can also shorten the overall life of the garment – we don’t want that!
Need it sooner? A low-heat tumble dry works just fine. Just avoid high heat whenever possible.
Iron Carefully
Wrinkles happen. If your embroidered apparel needs a quick touch-up, don't place a hot iron directly on the embroidery. Instead, iron the garment inside out. Or you have the option of placing a pressing cloth between the iron and the stitched design. Either of these options protects the raised stitching from being flattened or damaged by the heat.
A Little Care Goes a Long Way
Custom embroidery is designed to last. By following these simple care tips, your embroidered apparel will continue to look polished through countless meetings, golf outings, events, and wash cycles.
Your Questions, Answered.
Can embroidered clothing go in the washing machine?
For sure! But ALWAYS check the product tag first. Most embroidered garments are machine washable. Simply wash them inside out using cold water, a gentle cycle, and a mild detergent.
Can embroidered clothing go in the dryer?
Yes, but low heat is best. Air drying when you can will help extend the life of both the garment and the embroidery.
Can I iron over embroidery?
It's best to avoid direct heat on embroidery. If you need an iron, apply it from the reverse side or use a pressing cloth to protect the stitching.
Does embroidery fade over time?
High-quality embroidery is designed to last. Proper washing and drying habits help keep thread colors bright and stitching looking sharp for years.
Need custom apparel? From polos and quarter zips to hats and jackets, Threadfellows will help you choose products that not only look great on day one, but continue looking great for years to come. You’ll Love Wearing Your Logo!