A lot of time and care go into embroidering clothes, so it’d be a waste not to look after these intricate pieces and give them the longest lives possible. A little bit of extra thought before washing can go a long way with such unique pieces, but lots of people aren’t actually aware that these garments even require a different kind of wash.
So, if you’re unsure and wondering, ‘Can you machine wash embroidered clothes?’ or wouldn’t know how to iron them properly, we’ve got you. Anthem’s care guides are here to help you get the most from your personalised clothing – so every stitch stays sharp, wear after wear.
Can You Wash Embroidered Clothes?
Before throwing your embroidered, custom-made clothing into the wash, there are a few things worth considering. First, start with the fabric. Consider what you’re working with and the best follow best practices for washing a piece made of that material – the last thing you need is to shrink it and misshape or disturb the embroidery work.
Can You Machine Wash Embroidered Clothes?
Providing that the material of your custom merchandise can go into the washing machine, we’d suggest washing at around 30 degrees with a mild detergent so as not to fade or disturb the thread – this will preserve colour and keep your embroidery intact.
Before putting it in the washing machine, we’d recommend closing any zips to maintain shape and clearing out the pockets – checking that there’s nothing that could potentially cause damage – or be damaged – during the spin. Next, you’ll want to turn your garment inside out to protect the embroidery during its cycle in the washing machine – this simple step helps shield the embroidery from wear during the spin. Got a mesh laundry bag? Even better. Pop your garment inside for an extra layer of protection. Because good merch deserves to last more than a few wears.
How to Dry Embroidered Clothes
As for drying, we suggest keeping it simple and skipping the heat. Leave your garment to air dry, either hanging from a washing line or lying completely flat. Don’t attempt to tumble dry your embroidered pieces of clothing, as it may weaken the thread. The same goes for dry cleaning— harsh chemicals and embroidery don’t mix. They can dull the colours and loosen the stitching.
How to Iron Embroidered Clothes
Ironing embroidered clothes is actually pretty straightforward. Flip your piece inside out first, like you would with most garments. That alone helps shield the threads from direct heat. However, you may want to place a thin piece of fabric between the embroidery and the iron to protect the threads from the heat.
For extra protection, lay a thin cloth between the embroidery and your iron. It acts as a buffer, keeping your design crisp and your threads intact. Whatever you do, don’t press the iron straight onto the front of the embroidery – you will likely damage your design.
Find Garments Perfect For Embroidery at Anthem
Here at Anthem, we’ve designed a whole collection of premium, sustainable garments that are perfect for embroidery. We’re keen to help designers and organisations get more from their blanks, which is why we’ve prioritised both smooth surfaces and stylish silhouettes.
Ready to stitch your story into something that lasts? Order Anthem garments through our trusted clothing distributors and start building your identity from the blank up. Whether it’s personalised T-shirts for team away days, customisable sweatshirts for your crew, or sustainable joggers that move with purpose — we’ve got premium pieces made for every moment.
Design it your way. We’ll provide the canvas.
