How to Wash Dress Shirts for a Smooth & Elegant Touch

Dress shirts go beyond basic clothing; they can add a sophisticated and polished touch to your look, maybe even boosting your confidence and style. Perfect for professional settings, formal occasions, or everyday wear, well-maintained dress shirts can help you appear sharp and feel comfortable. 

But improper machine washing of dress shirts may lead to shrinking, fading, or distortion of their fit. Moreover, the accumulation of sweat, oils, and bacteria makes regular cleaning essential for maintaining hygiene. 

With careful maintenance, like proper laundry techniques, it will help to maintain their fresh and sharp appearance and fabric quality over time. Additionally, to disinfect your dress shirts and kill 99.99% of viruses and bacteria that detergents may leave behind^*, add Lysol^® Laundry Disinfectant - Crisp Linen for a more hygienic wash. 

Continue reading to learn how to clean dress shirts to keep them fresh, season after season.

Best way to launder dress shirts for timeless wear

Here’s how to wash and sanitize dress shirts for a neat and clean result.

Step 1: Read the care label

Before washing your dress shirts, review the care label for specific cleaning instructions. Fabrics such as cotton, linen, polyester blends, and silk may require different methods for washing, drying, and sometimes ironing or special laundering to prevent shrinkage, colour fading, or deformation.

Step 2: Turn, sort & prepare shirts

Taking a moment to prep your dress shirts before washing keeps them looking sharp for longer. Start by unbuttoning the front, cuffs, and collar, then gently turn them inside out. This protects the fabric surface, reduces friction, and preserves the shirt’s color and finish.

Wash dress shirts with lightweight items like t-shirts or undershirts to avoid damage. Keep them separate from heavy garments such as hoodies, denim jackets, wool coats, and rough fabrics like canvas, corduroy, or clothing with zippers, hooks, or sequins that could cause pulling or wear.

Step 3: Add Laundry Disinfectant

When it comes to how to wash dress shirts, think of them as wardrobe treasures that deserve care, not over-scrubbing. Skip hard products, as they can drain the colour and damage the weave. Instead, opt for a better laundry detergent designed for delicate or cotton fabrics.

To remove stubborn odours, add a powerful yet fabric-safe disinfectant to your laundry routine to eliminate 99.99% of viruses and bacteria that detergents may leave behind^*, like Lysol^® Laundry Disinfectant - Crisp Linen. 

It contains 0% bleach, is gentle on fabrics, and works well even in cold water to fight sweat residue and fabric-trapped impurities.

Step 4: Air dry

For great results and to maintain the quality of your dress shirts, choose a gentle air-drying method. After washing, squeeze out excess water without twisting or wringing the fabric. Place the shirt on a sturdy padded hanger or lay it flat on a clean towel to dry naturally.

^*vs. Detergent alone; Always read and follow the label.

FAQs

Are there any hygiene risks if you don’t wash dress shirts properly?

Failing to wash dress shirts properly can pose hygiene risks by allowing bacteria, fungi, and viruses to survive. These microorganisms can cause skin irritation, infections, and bad odours. Wearing unclean shirts also raises the chance of spreading contagious diseases.

Should dress shirts be dry-cleaned?

Most dress shirts, especially those made of cotton or cotton blends, should be washed with water and pressed instead of dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is primarily used for delicate fabrics, such as wool or silk, and for removing stubborn oil stains. If the care label says "Dry Clean Only," it's best to follow that instruction to avoid damage.

How often should I wash dress shirts to maintain their quality?

Dress shirts, particularly those worn close to the skin, should typically be washed after one to two wears to keep them fresh and in good condition. If the shirt is visibly dirty or sweaty, it’s best to wash it after every use.

How should I fold and store my dress shirts to keep them looking sharp?

To keep your dress shirts wrinkle-free and in good condition, button them up and fold them neatly along the seams before stacking. Alternatively, hang them on quality hangers to maintain their shape and prevent creases.