All Indian men who wear formal shirts to the office are well acquainted with the struggle. You wake up, open your cupboard, take a freshly laundered shirt, and to your shock, it comes with creases.
Deep lines throughout the sleeves, collars flattened, and the entire shirt looks like it’s been stuffed under a suitcase for a week. Not the best look when you need to head to an important client meeting or are logging into an unexpected Zoom call.
Who has time in the morning for extended ironing sessions? Hence, the selection of a washing machine cycle is more important than you would’ve thought.
In this article, we’re going to explain which cycle works best for office shirts, give you a few laundry tips, and help you finally eliminate the need to iron.
Why Creases Happen In The First Place
Before we dive into cycles, let’s figure out what is going wrong. Most office shirts, especially 100% cotton or linen, are susceptible to looking creased. And the way your machine treats the garment plays a significant role.
What happens if there’s too much spin? You get wrinkles. What about too much heat? You have shrinkage accompanied with folds. When there is no steam or wrinkle management, welcome to the ironing board.
Every washer has cycles that are gentle yet effective. Smart machines such as front load washers are exemplary.
The Cycle You Should Actually Be Using
“Quick wash” is the most care-free option and we go to, but it lacks the touch office shirts required. The ideal cycles for these shirts are:
- Easy Care
- Shirts
- Delicate
- Synthetic (with wrinkle guard)
All of these cycles have one thing in common – they are shorter, use lower temperatures, and most importantly, lower spin speeds. There won’t be any tangling, stretching, or smashing against drum walls.
What’s the Sweet Spot for Settings?
For customized machines, here is some structure:
- Max Temperature: 30°C
- Spin: 600 to 800 RPM
- Cycle Time: 30-40 minutes
If your machine allows, enabling the steam option is best.
Steam is preferred because it helps relax the fibers during a wash, which makes drying much simpler as there are no creases. This method also guarantees the removal of any odors, making it easier to wear the shirt for a few hours.
Getting Ready to Wash
No washing machine will restore a badly packed load of laundry. Here is your prep list in order:
- Remove all the buttons – don’t skip the cuffs and collar.
- It is good practice to turn the shirt inside out – This minimizes damage to the softer fabrics.
- Utilize the mesh laundry bag – recommended for softer and pricier items.
- Don’t overcrowd the machine drum – An 8 kg machine does well with 5 shirts.
- Choose a mild detergent – Strong detergents cause stiffening of the material which leads to creasing.
Following these five habits can assist in minimizing your headaches caused by laundry.
What to Do Directly After the Wash
For most men, this is the tricky part. If you leave your damp shirts in the washing machine for an extended period of time, unwanted folds or creases will develop. Which is why as soon as the cycle ends, you should:
- Remove the shirts without delay
- Gently shake them for wrinkle release
- Button the top button on the hanger so the shirt can be kept in place
- With a gentle pulling motion that keeps the cuffs and collar in the front, they can be straightened.
If your washing machine has the option to prevent wrinkles, make sure to activate that feature. Wrinkle prevention means the washing machine will keep the load rotating after washing to help maintain a wrinkle-free finish.
Welcome the Haier Advantage
Here is when the upgrade in lifestyle comes in. If you’re the type of person who wears formals regularly, pretty much guarantees that front-load washing machines are life-changing.
Let’s look at the 8Kg Smart Direct Motion Washer. The model number is HW80-DM14959CS8U1. The features include a Direct Motion Motor which is directly assigned to the drum. This reduces how much vibration and noise gets issued, as well as smooths out drum movement. This is good because your shirts don’t get slapped around above the drum. Less movement means less creasing.
Then, there is also the feature of Steam Wash technology. This is not just marketing hype. This sends hot steam into the drum during the wash cycle. That helps soften and relax a shirt’s fabric so with steam and detergent, it smells fresher and smoother. If you happen to live in humid states like Chennai or Mumbai, you will thank me later.
Not to mention, machines come with Anti-Bacterial Technology, or ABT for short, in the detergent drawer and the gasket. That means fewer odors and less mold and bacteria growing in your washer. This is crucial when you’re re-wearing shirts or have to wash the sweaty ones.
Weekly Shirt Scheme For Commuters
Let’s assume you use five formal shirts for the week. Here’s a plan that cannot fail:
Shirts need to be washed on Fridays after work. The washing machine should be set to Easy Care or Shirt cycle. If steaming is an option, that’s ideal. In addition, using detergent is best in liquid form. To avoid wrinkles, clothes should be spun at a low speed.
The next step is to hang them. Avoid folding, placing them in a basket, or stacking them. They should be left to dry while hanging which will allow for better texture.
Come Monday, you have 5 crisp shirts ready. Minimal ironing. You’re sorted.
Innovative Game Changer: The Washer Dryer Combo
Do you need to skip drying? Then you should consider the 11Kg Washer Dryer Combo HWD105-B14959S8U1. It does everything for you. You can put your shirts in, pick the cycle, and clean and dried shirts will come out, all in one！
These appliances can be particularly useful for young professionals and Ryerson students who happen to live in small apartments with no space to dry clothes. Also, you’re not forced to remember to take the clothes out before they wrinkle from sitting still in the machine.
Small Tips That Make a Big Difference
- Never make use of extremely hot water for office shirts
- Always hang dry on hangers
- After the wash, try buttoning the collars and cuffs
- Fabric conditioner can be best used once a month
- If the dryer must be used, don’t over dry.
Final Word: Crease-Free Isn’t a Luxury, It’s a Smart Move
Looking sharp every morning doesn’t have to take an extra 20 minutes of ironing or spending hundreds on laundry services. What is needed is to have the right wash cycle set, prep done, and smart machine ready.
If you wear shirts on a daily basis then a range of front load washing machines and washer dryer combos are a must have. These machines come with incredible features such as Steam Wash, Direct Motion Motor, ABT, Smart Wi-Fi controls, and up to 20 years motor warranty. That’s literally the machine your wardrobe needs.
Visit the full range at Haier India and get a washing machine that understands how to handle office wear like a pro.