Fraying a common occurrence in well-loved clothes. The more you wear and wash a garment, the quicker it happens.
You may notice fraying most often in the collar or sleeves of a shirt. These are the areas that rub up against your skin or a watch most often and the folds of the fabric in those areas can take a beating. Even wearing a seatbelt or rubbing up against a counter top may cause small frays in your clothes.
In most cases fraying is the kiss of death to a good shirt. It means the fabric has finally worn out and it may not be repairable but there are a few things you can do to prevent fraying in your shirts or jackets.
1. Invest in the best
When it comes to clothes you often get what you pay for. While high-quality shirts may be pricey, they are built to last.
It’s also a good idea to understand the type of fabric you are purchasing. Heavy woven shirts, that feel thick and sturdy, are going to last longer. Thinner fabrics, while they may be advertised as more breathable, may have a tendency to wear out quicker.
2. Skip the Starch
Starch is great for giving shirts a little more texture and preventing wrinkles but too much starch can make your clothes fray much quicker.
Starch forces the fabric into a stiff position, making it less flexible to your movements which then causes it to rub up against you more often.
You may find starch is an unnecessary chemical (additive) that is wearing down the fabric of your shirt. At Prestige, we do not use starch on clothes unless it is specifically requested.
3. Be Gentle
If you start to notice some signs of fraying, it’s time to reevaluate how you wash the shirt. You may want to avoid the washing machine moving forward or at least switch to a gentle cycle.
Washing is all about rubbing and buffing out dirt and grime and while that’s important, it also causes more wear and tear on fabric.
Before you throw your shirt into the washing machine at the very least it’s a good idea to turn it inside out. This helps protect the design of the shirt and keeps buttons from rubbing up against your other items.
You may also try putting your favorite shirt in a mesh bag before throwing it in the washing machine. This adds just a small layer of protection between the delicate fabric and the harsh metal of the wash tub.
If you really want to save your favorite shirt from death by fraying, there may be some alteration services you can request. Our seamstress may be able to create a new hem or even flip the collar and cuffs of a nice dress shirt inside out–creating a new edge all together.