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Once you know how to soften T-shirts quickly and easily, you’ll never have to wait for a new tee to develop a soft, lived-in feel. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use salt, vinegar, baking soda, or fabric softener to soften stiff tees without affecting their quality.
These methods work perfectly on ringspun cotton and rayon and polyester blends from popular brands like Gildan, Hanes, and Fruit of the Loom. (Note that these methods are best used on standard t-shirts, and may be too harsh for more delicate fabrics like linen.)
For me, these methods are right up there next to knowing how to unshrink your clothes in terms of useful clothing hacks!
Table Of Contents
How To Soften T-shirts
Any of the quick and easy techniques we’ll cover here will make t-shirts softer and more comfortable to wear, and they are all inexpensive too. When new cotton t-shirts are too stiff, rough, or scratchy, use one of these ways to soften them up!
Jillee’s Take:
How To Soften A Shirt With Table Salt
Here is the step-by-step method on how to soften a stiff cotton shirt with table salt:
You’ll need:
- Bucket
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 1 quart of warm water
Instructions:
- Combine one quart of warm water and 1/2 cup of table salt in a bucket, then stir until the salt dissolves completely.
- Soak the shirt in the salty water for up to three days. (This method requires patience, but the results are worth the wait!)
- Stir the shirt around in the water once a day — you may notice salty patches forming on the shirt or salt crystals in the water, but that’s normal!
- After three days, remove the shirt from the salty water and place it in your washing machine.
- Wash the shirt as usual, then tumble dry on low heat until it’s just shy of dry.
“If you add a bit of vinegar to the salt water solution, it will help set the color in the shirt or any other article of clothing. I learned this a long time ago at a lingerie party. It even works on whites.”
– OGT Reader Deborah
Using Vinegar To Soften T-shirts
Here’s how to soften a shirt with vinegar:
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
Instructions:
- Put the shirt in your washing machine, pour the vinegar over the top of it, and then run a rinse cycle using cold water. (If your washer has a fabric softener dispenser, you can add the vinegar there and run a cold rinse cycle.)
- Wash and dry the shirt as usual.
Using Fabric Softener To Make A Shirt Softer
You’ll need:
- Fabric softener (my homemade fabric softener is great for this!)
Instructions:
- Wash the t-shirt using your normal detergent and add fabric softener to the rinse cycle.
- Allow the shirt to air dry until slightly damp.
- Put the shirt in your dryer, then dry on low heat with a few wool dryer balls. (You can also use tennis balls, but be warned — they’re noisy!)
- Take the shirt out before it’s completely dry and hang.
Fabric Softener Alternatives
The homemade fabric softener I referenced above is far from the only option you have when it comes to fabric softeners. You can also make a wonderful fabric softener with glycerine and vinegar that will work great. Another option is homemade dryer sheets — they make a single bottle of fabric softener go a long, long way!
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You can also soften tees and other clothes using homemade fabric softener crystals (which in turn can be used to make homemade laundry detergent). They’re easy to make with Epsom salt and essential oils.
Finally, you may be able to achieve the softness you desire using wool dryer balls alone! They’re great at reducing stiffness, improving flexibility, and fighting static cling, especially with fabrics made from natural fibers.
BONUS: Heavy-Duty Options To Soften Stiff T-shirts
Some t-shirts are so rough, starchy, and itchy that the methods above may not soften them as much as you’d like! In that case, a more drastic measure may be called for. Try using a scouring pad, pumice stone, or even sandpaper to distress and soften the shirt around the collar, sleeves, and hem.
These options pose more of a risk, but it makes sense to try them if the alternative is giving up on the shirt entirely. Use a light hand to avoid damaging the fabric, then wash the shirt in hot water with 1 cup of salt and 1/4 cup of washing soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes Shirts Soft?
Brand-new shirts may feel stiff or rough at first, especially when they’ve been treated with finishing agents like starch. Washing new shirts or soaking them in water overnight can make them softer and more comfortable. To soften shirts fast, use the salt, vinegar, or fabric softener methods outlined in this post.
Does Salt Soften T-shirts?
Yes! Salt can soften t-shirts because its granules have an abrasive effect, helping to break in stiff fibers and make shirts softer and more flexible.
How Can I Make Cotton Very Soft?
If you want to make a cotton t-shirt very soft, the simplest way to do it is by wearing and washing it often. Regular wear and tear will naturally soften cotton and relax its fibers. To make a cotton shirt soft quickly, try the methods outlined in this post, or get it wet and manually knead, rub, and stretch the fabric before washing it.
Conclusion
Wearing a brand-new t-shirt isn’t always the most comfortable experience, especially if it feels rough or itchy. Luckily, there are several ways you can make your shirts softer quickly and easily! Armed with this knowledge, you’ll never have to suffer through another “breaking in” period to get the vintage-soft feel you want.
Have you ever tried to soften a new t-shirt?
How To Soften T-shirts With Salt (Step by Step)
Equipment
- Bucket
- Stiff t-shirt
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 quart warm water
Instructions
- Add the warm water and salt to a bucket and stir until dissolved.
- Place the shirt in the salty water and let it soak for 3 days, stirring once daily.
- Remove the shirt from the bucket, then wash and dry as usual.
Video
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