Washing and care guide: How to keep your T-shirts, underwear and socks looking new

Even the best quality underwear and the softest T-shirts can lose their shape and color if they are not cared for correctly. By washing and treating your clothes correctly, you can significantly extend their lifespan – while maintaining the comfort and fit you love. In this washing and care guide, you will get concrete tips on how to wash T-shirts, underwear and socks in the best way. From sorting black and white textiles to choosing the temperature and drying, we guide you step by step so that your Main Copenhagen staples stay like new for as long as possible.

Before washing: Sorting and preparation

The first step to proper laundry is to sort and prepare your clothes. Start by dividing your laundry by color and material: wash light and white T-shirts and underwear separately from black socks and dark clothes to avoid discoloration. Also sort by fabric: put your soft cotton T-shirts and underwear together – they can typically be washed at the same temperature. Then check the washing instructions on the clothes (the washing label in the neck or waistband). Here you will see the recommended washing temperature and any special advice. With quality products like those from Main Copenhagen, there are rarely any special restrictions, but it is a good habit to always check. It is a good idea to turn T-shirts and underwear inside out before washing; this protects the outside from friction, so that colors (especially black) remain deeper, and prints or labels (if there are any) last longer. Also make sure to empty pockets (if you are washing pants together) and close any zippers or Velcro straps on other clothes so that they do not rub against your basic clothes during washing.

Washing temperature and program – what is best for cotton?

Choosing the right washing temperature is crucial for both hygiene and durability. In general: 30°C to 40°C is suitable for most T-shirts, undershirts and similar everyday cotton garments.

At 30-40 degrees, normally dirty clothes are cleaned while minimizing the risk of shrinkage. Modern detergents are effective even at low temperatures, so unless the clothes are very dirty, you can wash at 30°C to protect the fibers. What about underwear and socks? These items can contain more bacteria, especially underpants and sports socks. To kill bacteria, it is recommended to wash underwear at a higher temperature, typically 60°C.

Good quality cotton can withstand 60 degrees occasionally, especially white cotton panties and undershirts, which also become more hygienic and completely clean at this temperature. You can therefore wash your white underwear and sports socks at 60°C once in a while to ensure full bacterial hygiene – but only wash them at a high temperature when necessary, as frequent hot washing can wear out the clothes faster. Avoid boiling (90°C) unless absolutely necessary; cotton can usually withstand it, but it is rarely required for ordinary clothes and can cause them to shrink unnecessarily. Choose a gentle cotton program or a regular washing program depending on how dirty the clothes are. Avoid high spin (too high a spin speed), especially for T-shirts, as it can pull the fabric – 800-1000 revolutions is usually enough to get the water out without wringing the clothes out.

The right detergent – ​​and fabric softener

Always use a detergent that suits your clothes: colored detergent for colored clothes (your black and colored T-shirts), and white detergent for white fabrics. White detergents often contain optical whiteners or mild bleach, which helps keep white undershirts and socks bright in color. For sensitive skin or organic clothes, you can choose a mild, perfume-free product, but most quality detergents are gentle on cotton. Avoid fabric softener when washing underwear and socks. Fabric softener (fabric softener) can put a film on the fibers, which reduces cotton's natural breathability. Elastic and lycra (e.g. elastane in underwear or elastic edges on socks) in particular do not benefit from fabric softener - it can break down the elasticity over time, so the underwear loses its tight fit and the socks become loose at the ribs. Fortunately, quality cotton is soft in itself, so you do not need fabric softener to get a comfortable feeling; The clothes will still feel soft against the skin without it. If you still want extra softness, you can consider adding a little vinegar to the rinse water – it neutralizes soap residue and softens the fabric naturally, without perfume.

Drying and finishing

The way you dry your clothes has a big impact on how long they last. The most gentle method is always air drying. Take your T-shirts and underwear out of the machine immediately after washing and give them a light shake. Hang them to dry on a line or a drying rack. For T-shirts, you can use hangers to your advantage – hang a wet T-shirt on a hanger, gently pull the seams to shape it, and let it dry; this will also avoid many creases and often eliminate the need to iron. You can hang cotton socks in pairs or lay them flat to dry. Avoid using a dryer for T-shirts and underwear as much as possible. The heat and tumbling in a dryer wears the clothes unnecessarily and can cause cotton to shrink a little each time.

If you must tumble dry (for example, if you have washed towels together), use a low heat/gentle cycle and take the clothes out while they are still slightly damp, then let them air dry last. This will reduce shrinkage and wrinkling.

When the clothes are dry, fold your T-shirts neatly or hang them in the closet. Avoid overfilling the drawers – your cotton shirts benefit from being able to “breathe” a little in the closet, so they don’t get a stuffy smell. If your white T-shirts have become a little dull or have stains over time, you can give them a refresh every now and then: wash them separately with a stain-removing detergent intended for white clothes, possibly with a teaspoon of baking soda to remove odors and yellow stains. For black T-shirts or dark underwear, you can add a spoonful of vinegar when washing – this helps to fix the color so that the black stays black.

Bonus tips to extend lifespan

• Don't wash too often: It may sound counterintuitive, but consider airing a T-shirt instead of washing it if it's not particularly dirty. Fewer washes = less wear and tear. Underwear and socks should of course be washed after each use for hygiene reasons, but a T-shirt you only wore for a few hours at home might be reusable.

• Be careful with stains: Treat stains immediately. If you get a stain on your white undershirt or T-shirt, dab it with cold water and a little liquid detergent as soon as possible. Let it work and wash as normal – this will avoid having to use a harsher detergent later.

• Ironing: Cotton T-shirts rarely need ironing, especially if you hang them up while damp. However, if you want a completely smooth look, you can iron on medium heat (two dots on the iron). Turn the T-shirt inside out or place a cloth over the T-shirt so the iron doesn't leave shiny marks. Avoid ironing directly on prints or elastic bands.

With these washing and care tips, you can expect your favorite basics from Main Copenhagen to last longer and continue to feel as good as when you bought them. Quality clothing deserves loving care – if you treat it right, it will reward you with long-lasting use, colorfastness and the great fit you appreciated from day one. Happy washing!