The care and feeding of your polo shirt or tee is all about how to properly care for them and it can be easy with a few short guidelines. But before we talk about that, we need to know a few things. The Proud Americans Who Serve Polos are made from Dry Fit Jersey Mesh. This is an awesome material as it combines a cottony feel with a smooth quick dry moisture-wicking mesh. The subtle texture and breathable performance, makes these shirts as comfortable as they are unique and stylish. When you feed it well, as in giving it the proper care, it stays healthy. Just look when you feed and give yourself the proper care, you stay healthy. (Ok couldn’t resist a little let’s all stay healthy comment). Back to business.
As you will see on our product pages, our high-quality polyester material ensures you have a polo shirt or tee shirt that will be the same size and quality even after numerous washes. And the colors are unwavering in detail and resilience.
See our patriotic polo shirts.
Another great quality of these Polo Shirts and Tee-Shirts are their superior cooling ability. So let’s get to it. How do we care for these great shirts?
How to Care for your Polo and Tee Shirts
The following care instructions will keep your dry fit polo’s and tees lasting for years to come. .
- MACHINE WASH COLD
- WASH INSIDE OUT WITH LIKE COLORS
- DO NOT USE SOFTENERS
- REMOVE IMMEDIATELY
- DO NOT ALLOW TO LAY ON ITSELF WHEN WET
- DO NOT BLEACH
- COOL IRON
- DO NOT IRON DESIGN
- DO NOT DRY CLEAN
- TUMBLE DRY LOW
Machine Wash Cold: So let’s get started with the care and feeding of your polo shirt or tee with the washing. First step is to remove any stains by hand before putting your polo shirts or tee shirts into the washer. Sweat stains are easier to remove, but grass, blood, mustard, ketchup, or beer can be stubborn. Here’s how you can get rid of them before putting your polo’s into the washer:
- Dampen the stained area in cold water.
- Apply a prewash stain removing agent (spray and wash or even oxy-clean works great) on the stain. However there’s really no need to purchase expensive stain removers, vinegar, soap or even shampoo will work.
- Rub gently with a stain removing sponge or a soft-bristled toothbrush, and squeeze out excess moisture.
Wash Inside Out with Like Colors
Try to wash the same colors together. White jersey should be washed separately from other colors as your other fabrics may bleed during the wash. Black colors also sometimes bleed so keep those colors together as well.
The subdued polo shirt line is very popular. Pictured: The Betsy Ross
Do Not Use Softeners
Why, you may wonder. The waxy coating in the softener can interfere with moisture wicking and absorption properties – athletic fabrics are designed to wick moisture from the skin to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate, but if you cover the fabric in a waxy coating it’s like plugging up a drain and it blocks the fabrics ability to move moisture. The coating also builds up over time making it harder for water and detergent to permeate the fabric so odors and stains are more difficult to get out and become sealed in. Fabric softeners can also stain your clothes, liquid softeners can occasionally leave blueish or grey stain spots on garments and overtime the waxy build-up can also cause yellowing on whites.
REMOVE IMMEDIATELY
You may already be aware, especially if you have ever left your laundry in the wash too long, that the fabrics can start to smell. This is due to bacteria and mold growth from leaving wet clothes sitting too long. If this happens, no amount of drying or fabric sheets will remove the smell until you wash the clothes all over again. That said, a few hours is ok. Overnight is dicey and a few days is a definite no no.
DO NOT ALLOW TO LAY ON ITSELF WHEN WET
Furthering our conversation about the care and feeding of a polo shirt, it only makes sense not to allow your polo shirts or tees to lay on themselves when wet. For the same reasons as mentioned above. I mean you have this really awesome looking shirt, don’t be that guy or gal that looks great and smells awful!
DO NOT BLEACH
Did you know that any of our styles can be embroidered? Check out some of the many options here.
Bleaching your moisture–wicking shirts will fade those beautiful colors. Bleach does nothing for the smell, when they are smelly and should be avoided. Also, the harsh chemicals in bleach will weaken the material over time. Which means they are getting worn out faster.
COOL IRON
The correct setting on an iron can make the difference between a good job and a disaster. The right temperature selection makes ironing easier, quicker and gives a more professional result. The wrong temperature can mean more work, curled edges or, even worse, burns in your polo shirt.
DO NOT IRON DESIGN
While heat is great in the winter or when you have chill, it is not so hot (pun attended, LOL) for your uniquely designed polo’s and tees. Ironing will damage those awesome prints. Just don’t do it!
DO NOT DRY CLEAN
Dry cleaning can fade the color of your shirts. A dark black can turn pale black, ugh! Also dry cleaning chemicals will interfere with your prints. Some dry cleaning solvents are harsh. Seriously, caring for your polo shirt is easy, protect it at home and save yourself the dry cleaning bill.
We proudly honor all who serve our nation
