Nothing kills the vibe faster than a once-vibrant graphic tee that now looks dull, feels stiff, or fits like it belongs to your little brother. Caring for printed shirts isn’t complicated, but it does call for a gentler touch than the average laundry load. Follow these easy-to-remember habits and your Jest Quest Apparel favorites will keep their punch-line colors and stay comfy for years.

Why Prints Lose Their Pop

High heat is enemy number one. It opens cotton fibers and weakens the inks used in screen-print or DTG processes, which leads to cracking and fading. Harsh detergents strip color, while heavy items like jeans and towels batter lightweight tees in the wash. The takeaway: treat a printed shirt the way you would a delicate sweater—cool water, mild soap, and minimal agitation.

The Ideal Wash Routine

Start by sorting. Keep tees away from abrasive fabrics, then flip each shirt inside out to shield the design from direct spray and friction. Choose a cold-water cycle and a gentle, dye-free detergent. If you like your tees buttery-soft, skip commercial fabric softener and pour a splash of white vinegar into the rinse compartment. It dissolves leftover soap residue and naturally relaxes fibers without leaving a scent.

Drying Without the Damage

As soon as the wash ends, give each shirt a quick shake and smooth the seams back into shape. Air-drying on a flat surface—or draped neatly over a drying rack—prevents shrinkage and protects your print from the frying-pan effect of a hot dryer drum. If you’re in a hurry, tumble on the lowest heat or “air fluff” setting and pull the shirt out while it’s still slightly damp; letting it finish drying on a hanger or towel keeps the fit true.

Tackling Stains the Safe Way

Life happens, spills happen. Pre-treat grease with a dab of dish soap mixed into a little baking soda, loosen coffee or tea marks with a quick soak in equal parts white vinegar and water, and break down pen or marker spots with a touch of rubbing alcohol. Always test a hidden corner first, rinse in cold water, and then launder as usual.

Storage That Extends Tee Life

Fold tees instead of hanging them—gravity can stretch necklines over time. Slip them into a cool, dry drawer; a tiny silica-gel packet tossed inside will guard against humidity. Avoid prolonged sun exposure in closets with windows because ultraviolet light fades pigment faster than any wash cycle.

An Eco-Bonus Worth Mentioning

These low-heat, cold-water habits don’t just rescue your prints; they also shrink your energy bill and carbon footprint. Washing in cold can slash laundry-related energy use by up to 90 percent, and skipping the dryer whenever possible keeps hundreds of pounds of CO₂ out of the atmosphere each year.

Caring for a graphic tee is mostly common sense: cool water keeps colors vivid, mild soap preserves fibers, and gentle drying wards off cracks and shrinkage. Follow this routine and every Jest Quest design—whether it’s a meme mash-up or a limited-edition drop—will stay as bright and witty as the day it arrived on your doorstep.