When to dry clean or launder your shirts

At Hugh & Crye, we're often asked about whether to dry clean dress shirts, or to launder them at home. Here are some tips to consider and help make this decision.

Dry clean (professional clean) your shirts if...

Important Note: that when we say "dry clean" we're referring to having your shirts professionally cleaned, yet still laundered. We do not recommend actually dry cleaning your 100% cotton Hugh & Crye shirts. Dry cleaning doesn't actually clean the garment as effectively as laundering (washing) the garment does - especially related to where dirt accumulates, around the collar especially.

• You need an absolutely crisp shirt with no wrinkles. 
• The price to launder a shirt isn't ridiculously high (or conversely, money is of no concern to you) 
• It works with your lifestyle - i.e., your commute to work, your errand cycles, etc.
• You don't have time to iron your shirts

Launder your shirts if...

• You're not going to throw your 100% cotton dress shirts in the dryer - which will shrink them, and damage finer yarn count cotton fabrics over time
• Related, you understand how washing a shirt is just fine, but plan to hang dry them
• You want to pre-treat the collar or other areas that have gotten particularly dirty
• You enjoy the meditative act of ironing your shirts - especially if you know how to do it right