How to Wash and Care for Heavyweight Clothing

• July 04 2025, by Charlie Frost
• 3 min reading time

Heavyweight clothing — like thick tees, hoodies, and sweatshirts — isn’t just about looking good. It’s an investment in quality and comfort. But if you don’t look after it properly, that weighty cotton can shrink, fade, or lose shape fast. Here’s how to wash and care for heavyweight clothing so it lasts longer and stays looking fresh.

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1. Always Check the Label (Then Actually Follow It)

We get it — care labels are boring. But that little tag inside your hoodie tells you everything you need to know. Most heavyweight garments are 100% cotton, and high GSM (grams per square metre) fabric behaves differently from thinner materials.

If the label says cold wash and low tumble, it means it.

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2. Cold Water Is Your Friend

Washing heavyweight garments in cold water (30°C or lower) helps prevent:

• Shrinkage (especially with 100% cotton)

• Colour fading

• Loss of shape

Hot water breaks down fibres faster. Unless you're deep-cleaning a mud-covered hoodie (and even then…), cold is king.

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3. Flip It Inside Out Before Washing

This reduces direct abrasion on the fabric surface and preserves prints or graphics. If you’ve got screen-printed or DTG graphics, this is a must.

It’s a small step that makes a big difference over time.

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4. Use a Mild Detergent, Skip the Bleach

Heavyweight doesn’t mean bulletproof. Harsh detergents and bleach can:

• Break down cotton fibres

• Fade colours

• Crack or peel graphics

Stick to a gentle, colour-safe detergent with no added brighteners.

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5. Avoid the Tumble Dryer (If You Can)

Heat is the enemy of heavyweight clothing. Drying on high can:

• Shrink the garment

• Warp its shape

• Damage prints

Best move? Air dry flat or hang it up — ideally out of direct sunlight. If you have to use a dryer, low heat only, and take it out while it's still slightly damp to finish drying naturally.

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6. Ironing: Only If You Must

Most heavyweight garments don’t need ironing if they’re dried properly. But if you want to press them:

• Use low to medium heat

• Avoid ironing directly over graphics

• Iron inside out to protect the fabric

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7. Store It Right

Fold heavyweight hoodies and tees rather than hanging them. Why? Hanging can stretch the shoulders over time. If you do hang, use wide, padded hangers.

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Bonus: Don’t Over-Wash It

You don’t need to wash your heavyweight hoodie after every wear unless it’s actually dirty. Less washing = longer life for both the fabric and any graphics.

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Final Word

Heavyweight clothing is made to last — but only if you treat it right. Cold washes, low heat, gentle products, and air drying are key. Follow these tips and your heavyweight tees and hoodies will look better, feel better, and stay in rotation for years.

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