raverr
Your favorite show hoodie has been through a lot: sweat, spilled drinks, campfire smoke, dust. I've still got shirts from decades of festivals, and the ones that survived all got treated the same way. Here's how to make a printed hoodie or tee last.
The five rules
- Turn it inside out. The print never rubs against other clothes or the drum.
- Wash cold. Hot water fades ink and shrinks cotton.
- Gentle cycle, mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener; softener can coat the print and break it down over time.
- Hang dry, or tumble on low. High heat is the number-one print killer.
- Never iron the print. If you have to iron, do it inside out, around the art.
After a festival
Festival clothes come home crusty. Shake dust out outdoors first. If it's caked, let it soak in cold water for 30 minutes before the wash. For campfire smoke, a cup of white vinegar in the rinse helps. Wash festival clothes in their own load so the grit doesn't scrub everything else.
Sweat and stains
Treat stains before washing, with cold water and a little detergent worked in with your fingers. Don't put a stained hoodie in the dryer; heat sets stains for good.
Will it shrink?
Some shrinkage is normal for cotton-blend fleece, mostly in the first wash and mostly from heat. Cold wash and low dry keep it to a minimum. Our hoodies already run small, so we tell everyone to size up.
Storage
Fold hoodies, don't hang them. Hangers stretch the shoulders over time. Keep them dry between festivals; a damp tote in a hot car is how mildew happens.
Ready for a new one?
If yours finally gave out, our rave hoodies are $64 ($68 for 2XL and up) and our rave shirts start at $32. Every piece is printed to order. Shipping is $6.95 for hoodies, $4.95 for tees, and free on orders of $75 or more. Going somewhere cold? Start with the cold night hoodies.
FAQ
How do I wash a graphic hoodie without ruining the print?
Turn it inside out, wash cold on gentle with mild detergent, and hang dry or tumble on low. Skip bleach, softener and ironing the print.
Can I put a printed hoodie in the dryer?
Yes, on low heat and inside out. Hang drying is best for the print's life.
How do I get festival dust out of clothes?
Shake them out outside, soak in cold water for 30 minutes, then wash separately on a gentle cycle.