How to Wash Dress Shirts Like a Professional Cleaner

Dress shirts are typically tops that are made from high-quality fabrics and feature a collared button-up design. While these shirts are typically intended for business or formal wear, dress shirts can be worn for a variety of reasons, such as date night, job interviews, or whenever you want to dress to impress.

Your special top needs (and deserves) a special laundry routine, which is why the experts say you’ll need to handle washing your dress shirts a little differently than you do your linens and casual wear. Take a look at what our pros say you need to do when washing your dress shirts, including some extra supplies you’ll need to have on hand for your next laundry day. 

Materials You'll Need 

• Gentle detergent
• Stain remover and a soft brush for scrubbing (optional)
• Mesh laundry bag
• Hangers
• Iron or steamer

Instructions 

Now that you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to get those dress shirts clean.

Step 1: Check the Care Label

Before you do anything, Matthew O’Connor, laundry expert and co-founder of NoScrubs Laundry Delivery Service, says that your first step should be to check the label on the inside of your shirt. There, you will find important instructions about how you can (and can’t) launder your top. 

Step 2: Pre-Treat Any Stains

Next, it’s time to pay special attention to any stains you’re already aware of. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on whatever stain treatment option you opt to use. 

Step 3: Prepare the Shirt

Ocean Van, owner of Coco Laundry, says you’ll need to get your shirt ready to be laundered by undoing all of the buttons, including the collar and cuffs. "This helps prevent stress on the button threads and allows for a more thorough cleaning," he says.  

Step 4: Turn It Inside Out and Place It In a Mesh Bag

O’Connor likes going the extra mile to ensure that your dress shirts continue to look the part, so he turns them inside out and places them inside a mesh bag for an added layer of protection in the wash. Van notes that your shirt should then go into a load of other lightly soiled clothes that are a similar color. 

Step 5: Pick Your Washer Setting

"Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water," says Van, who says to avoid using hot water altogether because it can shrink or damage the fabric. Add a small amount of any standard detergent and wash.

Step 6: Dry the Shirt

Next, Van says you’ll need to transfer the shirt from the washer to the dryer. "Remove the shirt promptly to prevent wrinkles," he says. "Most dress shirts can be dried in dryers at a low temperature, but you can also air dry by hanging the shirt on a clothesline or drying rack." He adds that you’ll want to avoid direct sunlight if you opt for the clothesline since it can fade colors.

Step 7: Iron the Shirt

If your shirt needs a little extra TLC to get out the wrinkles, Van says you can iron it while it’s still slightly damp. "Adjust the iron to the appropriate setting for the shirt's fabric, usually cotton or a cotton blend," he says. "Some modern dress shirts don't require ironing so you could skip this step to save time." Lastly, you’ll need to put the shirt on a hanger and add it to your closet to keep it looking good until it’s time to wear it. 

Tips for Washing Dress Shirts 

Keep these tips in mind for dress shirts that always look like new.

Use a Stain Remover for Collar Stains

"At No Scrubs, we've seen customers struggle with collar stains," O’Connor says. "A quick pre-treat with a gentle stain remover can work wonders."

Van suggests using a product like Oxiclean or Soilove for tougher stains. "Apply a small amount of Soilove or Oxiclean to the stained areas. Gently scrub with a soft brush to loosen the stains," he says, adding that your next step would be to fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of detergent before letting the shirt soak for 30 minutes to an hour so that the detergent can begin breaking up those stains before you wash. Then, dry the top as instructed above. 

Rotate Your Shirts

Having a few extra tops in your arsenal can go a long way to ensuring they look nice for years to come. “Also, rotating your shirts can extend their life—don't wear the same one two days in a row if you can help it," says O'Connor.

Take It to a Professional If There Are Heavy Stains

Washing dress shirts greatly depends on the condition of the individual shirt, according to Van, so sometimes you may need to call in the pros, especially if you’re dealing with sweat stains around the armpits and neck. "Heavily stained dress shirts from food, ink, or other substances are best left to professional dry cleaners," he says.