The Dilemma of Professionally Laundering Cotton Shirts

Question: The Dilemma of Professionally Laundering Cotton Shirts

Is it safe to take my nice cotton dress shirts to be professionally laundered?

Answer:

When it comes to my nice cotton shirts, I prefer to launder my own. However, I do take my black and dark shirts to the dry-cleaners which preserves the dark color better. But I do not like to have any of my shirts laundered because they use chemical detergents, really hot water, high heat in the pressing process. The result is a loss of color, shrinkage and accelerated wear and tear.

I wash my shirts in cold water and drip dry them. I also press them with less heat and steam than they would if professionally laundered. This preserves the integrity of my shirts for much longer which saves money not only in laundering costs but in replacing worn shirts.