how to wash your heat transfer vinyl shirts

I’m writing up this post because this is a question I get asked a lot! Can you wash your Heat transfer vinyl projects? YES. AND you don’t have to wash it by hand! (Lets me be real–I would never make anything if I had to wash it by hand #causewhohastimeforthat!)

So hear you go! How to wash your heat transfer vinyl!

First! I always grab my heat transfer vinyl from Expressions Vinyl! If you are using no brand/cheaper vinyl–it might not stay stuck when you wash it!

I especially love Expressions Vinyl because they literally tell you right at the bottom of each kind of iron on vinyl what and how to apply and wash it!

But let me honest–I don’t really keep track of what heat transfer vinyl each shirt and hand towel are made out of– so as a general rule:

How I wash my heat transfer vinyl projects

• Wait 24 hours before washing
• turn clothes/bags inside out (I know that doesn’t work for towels and that’s okay!) I feel like not very many people do this anymore…but this was standard practice 6 years ago and I’m a creature of habit!
• Wash cold
• and you can DRY! I usually turn down my heat-My dryers gets really warm and I don’t want to heat up the vinyl anymore than I need to.
• Don’t dry clean
• If you need to iron the shirt –make sure to keep it wrong side out and iron on the back. If the iron touches the viny it can melt it!

But let me tell you–I have thrown in a shirt that has was mixed in with the other dirty clothes and washed it hot and dried it hot. and it turned out fine! I think the generally guidelines is to keep your vinyl project looking great for a long period of time!

If you pull out your vinyl projects from the dryer and the vinyl is peeling up–that ususally means you didn’t apply it right (too much heat, not enough heat, not pressing long enough…etc.) I have a post to help you troubleshoot this!

I also have a video that helps you iron it back down so your project isn’t ruined!

I hope this helps! Let me know what questions you have done below!