How to Care for Your Cotton Basics

Cotton is forgiving, but a few habits make the difference between a t-shirt that looks new after twenty washes and one that's faded and misshapen after five.

Wash cold and inside-out. Cold water keeps colors from bleeding and fading, and turning a piece inside-out protects any print or embroidery from friction against zippers and buttons in the wash.

In Dhaka's humidity, air-drying indoors under a fan is often more reliable than line-drying outside, where dust and pollution can settle into damp fabric. Avoid direct, prolonged sun exposure while drying — it's the fastest way to fade dark colors.

Skip the tumble dryer where you can. Heat is what shrinks cotton and breaks down elastane in ribbed or fitted pieces. If you must use one, a low, short cycle is far gentler than a full high-heat run.