{"id":74770,"date":"2026-06-22T18:51:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T18:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/?p=74770"},"modified":"2026-06-16T15:46:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T15:46:32","slug":"tops-care-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for Your Everyday Tops (Tees, Tanks &amp; Long Sleeves)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Your everyday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/us\/en\/c\/aerie\/tops\/cat4130031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tops<\/a>, soft tees, go-to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/us\/en\/c\/aerie\/tops\/tank-tops\/cat520025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tank tops<\/a>, and easy long sleeves are the backbone of your wardrobe. They\u2019re worn often, washed frequently, and loved hard. But without the right care, they can shrink, fade, stretch, or lose that just-bought softness faster than you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news: with a few simple habits, you can keep your favorite basics looking fresh, fitting well, and lasting way longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-wash-t-shirts-without-damaging-them\"><strong><strong><strong>How to Wash T-Shirts Without Damaging Them<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to how to wash <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/us\/en\/c\/aerie\/tops\/t-shirts\/cat520027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">t-shirts<\/a>, less is often more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wash in cold water:<\/strong> Hot water is one of the biggest causes of shrinking and fading. Cold water is gentler on fabrics and helps preserve color.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Turn tops inside out:<\/strong> This protects the outer surface from friction, which can cause fading and pilling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use a gentle cycle:<\/strong> Everyday tops don\u2019t need aggressive washing\u2014gentle cycles reduce wear and tear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoid overloading the machine:<\/strong> Clothes need room to move so they actually get clean without stretching.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pro tip:<\/strong> Use a mild detergent\u2014harsh formulas can break down fibers over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-preventing-shrinkage-in-cotton-basics\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Preventing Shrinkage in Cotton Basics<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cotton tops are comfortable and breathable, but they\u2019re also prone to shrinking if handled incorrectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To <strong>keep tops from shrinking<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always wash in cold water<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skip high heat in the dryer (this is the #1 culprit)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Air dry when possible, or use a low heat setting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do use a dryer, remove items while slightly damp and let them finish air drying. This helps maintain their original shape and size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"2048\" width=\"1366\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?w=1366\" alt=\"Woman wearing a gray Aerie t-shirt.\" class=\"wp-image-74803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg 5343w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=768,1151 768w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=1366,2048 1366w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=337,505 337w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=1280,1919 1280w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=584,876 584w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK48_0504_V1-1.jpg?resize=210,315 210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-keep-white-tees-bright-without-damaging-fabric\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How to Keep White Tees Bright (Without Damaging Fabric)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>White tops are timeless, but they can quickly lose their brightness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To keep them looking fresh:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wash whites separately from colors to avoid dulling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a gentle detergent designed for whites (skip harsh bleach\u2014it can weaken fibers over time)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add a natural brightener like baking soda or oxygen-based boosters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dry in sunlight occasionally\u2014natural light can help brighten whites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid overusing bleach, as it can cause yellowing and fabric breakdown over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-avoiding-stretched-out-necklines\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Avoiding Stretched-Out Necklines<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing worse than a tee with a loose, warped neckline. This usually happens from improper washing, drying, or storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent stretching:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don\u2019t pull shirts off by the collar\u2014this gradually loosens the fabric<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wash on a gentle cycle and avoid heavy loads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reshape the neckline while damp before drying<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skip high heat in the dryer, which can distort elastic fibers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For delicate or favorite pieces, consider air drying flat to maintain structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-folding-vs-hanging-what-s-best\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Folding vs. Hanging: What\u2019s Best?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>How you store your tops matters just as much as how you wash them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fold these:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>T-shirts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tanks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stretchy or lightweight tops<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Folding prevents stretching and helps maintain shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hang these:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Structured long sleeves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heavier tops that hold their shape well<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do hang, use wide or padded hangers to avoid shoulder bumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"2048\" width=\"1366\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?w=1366\" alt=\"Woman wearing a green Aerie t-shirt on the beach.\" class=\"wp-image-74804\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg 5464w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=768,1151 768w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=1366,2048 1366w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=1025,1536 1025w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=337,505 337w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=1280,1919 1280w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=584,876 584w, https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU26_LK52_0036_V1-1.jpg?resize=210,315 210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-often-should-you-wash-everyday-tops\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How Often Should You Wash Everyday Tops?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It might be tempting to toss everything in the laundry after one wear\u2014but overwashing can wear out your clothes faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>General guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>T-shirts &amp; tanks:<\/strong> Every 1\u20132 wears (depending on activity level)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Long sleeves:<\/strong> Every 2\u20133 wears if lightly worn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spot clean when possible:<\/strong> Small stains don\u2019t always require a full wash<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Washing less frequently helps preserve fabric quality, color, and fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-takeaway\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Final Takeaway<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking care of your everyday tops doesn\u2019t have to be complicated. By washing in cold water, avoiding high heat, and storing them properly, you can extend the life of your favorite pieces and keep them looking as good as new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A little extra care goes a long way\u2014especially for the basics you reach for every day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your everyday tops, soft tees, go-to tank tops, and easy long sleeves are the backbone of your wardrobe. They\u2019re worn often, washed frequently, and loved hard. But without the right care, they can shrink, fade, stretch, or lose that just-bought softness faster than you\u2019d like. The good news: with a few simple habits, you can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":144,"featured_media":74805,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"callout_image":null,"mobile_callout_image":null,"_subheading":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[260,5719,582],"tribe_events_cat":[],"class_list":["post-74770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-style-trends","tag-how-to","tag-style-trends","tag-stylists-picks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Caring For Your Tops | Aerie<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Keep your favorite Aerie tees, tanks, and hoodies looking brand new. Discover the best washing and maintenance tips to keep that signature soft feel for years.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Care for Your Everyday Tops (Tees, Tanks &amp; Long Sleeves)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Keep your favorite Aerie tees, tanks, and hoodies looking brand new. Discover the best washing and maintenance tips to keep that signature soft feel for years.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"#AerieREAL Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Aerie\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-22T18:51:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alaina Greco\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU1_SMILEY_LK62_04305_V1-1.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@aerie\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@aerie\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alaina Greco\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alaina Greco\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/#\/schema\/person\/5b15e66a6aab6e233af99719b9beea6a\"},\"headline\":\"How to Care for Your Everyday Tops (Tees, Tanks &amp; Long Sleeves)\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-22T18:51:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/\"},\"wordCount\":616,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU1_SMILEY_LK62_04305_V1-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"How To\",\"Style &amp; Trends\",\"Stylist's Picks\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Style &amp; Trends\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/\",\"name\":\"Caring For Your Tops | Aerie\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/2026\/06\/22\/tops-care-guide\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.ae.com\/aerie-real-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AERIE_SU1_SMILEY_LK62_04305_V1-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-22T18:51:40+00:00\",\"description\":\"Keep your favorite Aerie tees, tanks, and hoodies looking brand new. 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