The Shirt off my back (and into the wash)

So I got my work shirt finally today. And it's heavy, stiff and new. It's 100% cotton, pre-shrunk. I deliver pizzas, so I'm in the hot kitchen all fucking day. I want it to be softer and easier to wear.

How do I distress or 'age' the shirt? Is there a way to do it in the wash? Any clothing mavens out there?

'fabric conditioner' ?

Or you could get an old school washboard. The vigorous rubbing action would break down the cotton fibres and make it more flexible.

I'd suggest wearing a vest (undershirt) underneath, but you say it's hot, so maybe that's a stupid idea. It'd soak up the sweat though.

[Edited on Sep 16, 2004 by demetrius_z]

There's fabric softener now? First dryer sheets, now this...

a crowded ashtray,leftovers,some bricks and a few gallons of sweat will do the job...washing time: 2-3 weeks at body temperature....



[Edited on Sep 16, 2004 by crucified]

Wait, that's irony, right? If it is stop reading now.

Do you have a toploader washing machine?

In the UK we have front loaders, and the stuff goes in a draw at the front (BUT SEE HINT LATER) and you buy soap powder and you can buy fabric conditioner which makes your clothes soft and smell nice.

Don't use it on towels though, because it makes them shed fibre, and it stops them being as absorbent.


HINT: Ignore the draw in a UK machine, just chuck the powder into the drum onto the clothes. You use less powder, and it doesn't get the drawer dirty, and it's better all round.

Not irony. Clothing ignorance.