You bought that Dawg House tee or the elusive Landmark hoodie. Now the real challenge: keeping the print crisp and the fabric soft without shrinking it into a kid's size. In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to wash Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast merch so your favorite pieces last through dozens of episodes and a few spill-heavy laughs.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Product/Pick | Best For | Key Feature | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight Tee | Daily rotation | 100% ring-spun cotton, pre-shrunk | $30-$35 |
| Pullover Hoodie | Cold-weather comfort | 80/10/10 cotton-poly-rayon blend, fleece-lined | $60-$70 |
| Dad Hat | Low-maintenance accessory | 100% washed cotton, structured brim | $25-$30 |
| Trucker Cap | Summer breathability | Foam front, mesh back, snap closure | $20-$25 |
What You Need to Know
Washing fan merch isn't rocket science, but it does require a touch of respect for the fabric. MSSP tees are mostly 100% ring-spun cotton - soft but prone to shrinking if you blast them with hot water. Hoodies use a cotton-poly-rayon blend that holds shape better but can pill if tossed in a high-heat dryer. The goal: keep that screen-printed Dawg, Landmark, or Wild Kingdom design looking as sharp as day one. Here's what you'll learn: the right water temp, the best detergent moves, and why you should never trust a dryer cycle with your favorite hoodie.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Turn Your Merch Inside Out
Before you even see water, flip every garment inside out. This protects the printed surface from friction against other clothes or the machine drum. Pro tip: zip up any hoodie zippers to avoid snagging. Common mistake: forgetting this step, then wondering why the print cracked after three washes.
Step 2: Pick Cold Water, Always
Wash on cold (30°C/86°F max) with a gentle cycle. Hot water is the enemy of screen prints and cotton fibers. It accelerates shrinking and fades colors faster than Shane's stories. Cold water saves energy, too. Set your machine to "delicate" or "hand wash" if available.
Step 3: Use a Mild Detergent - No Bleach
Grab a gentle, liquid detergent (avoid powders with abraisives). Never use bleach, fabric softener, or stain removers with optical brighteners on printed areas. They degrade the ink. For tougher stains, spot-treat with a tiny dab of dish soap and a soft brush before washing.
Step 4: Wash with Like Colors
Dark tees with darks, whites with whites. The Landmark design on a black tee will shed some dye, so don't throw it in with your white socks. Wash with similar colors to avoid surprise pink tinting.
Step 5: Skip the Dryer - Air Dry Flat or Hung
This is the big one. Machine drying is the #1 killer of merch longevity. High heat shrinks cotton, cracks prints, and fuzzes up hoodie fleece. Instead, lay your tee flat on a drying rack or hang it on a padded hanger in the shade. Hoodies: hang over a drying rack, not on a thin hanger (stretches the shoulders). If you must use a dryer, set it to low heat and remove while still slightly damp to minimize damage.
Step 6: Don't Overload the Machine
Your washer needs room to slosh water through every fiber. If you cram in 10 tees, the friction will abrade prints and leave creases that won't come out. Wash no more than 2-3 hoodies or 4-5 tees per load.
Step 7: Optional - Use a Guppy Bag for Delicates
For your most prized pieces (like the limited-run Wild Kingdom tee), toss them in a mesh laundry bag. It adds a layer of protection against snags and zippers from other clothes.
Step 8: Re-Shape While Damp
After washing, gently tug the shirt back into shape if it stretched. For hoodies, straighten the waistband and cuffs. This prevents bunching and keeps the silhouette true to size.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using hot water or high heat. This shrinks cotton and accelerates print peeling. Cold water and low/no heat is the way.
- Tossing hoodies in the dryer. The fleece lining will mat down, the fabric pills, and prints crack. Air dry always for hoodies.
- Folding prints together while wet. The ink can transfer if two printed sides touch while damp. Hang them separately or use a drying rack with space.
- Skipping the inside-out step. Direct abrasion on the print leads to fading and cracking within 5-10 washes. Flip it, friend.
- Using fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps odors, plus it reduces absorbency. Your tee doesn't need it.
Pro Tips from the Community
Fans on the Da Boys subreddit swear by a few extra steps. First, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle (no, your hoodie won't smell like salad). It removes residual detergent, softens fabric naturally, and helps set colors. Second, for hoodies, do a cold soak with a tablespoon of baking soda for 30 minutes before washing to pull out odors without harsh chemicals. Third, store your merch flat in a drawer rather than hung on thin hangers that create shoulder points. Our Heavyweight Tee is dense enough to handle hanging, but the Pullover Hoodie prefers folded life. Finally, if you rotate three tees evenly, each one gets less abrasion per wear, extending life by months.
How to Store Your Merch Between Tours
Once clean and dry, store your MSSP merch in a cool, dark, dry spot. Avoid attic or garage extremes - heat and humidity degrade elastic and prints. Fold tees and hoodies rather than hanging them on wire hangers (use wide, padded hangers if you must hang). The Dad Hat and Trucker Cap can be hung on hooks or stacked on a shelf. Keep them away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. A cedar drawer or wardrobe insert keeps moisture low and odors fresh.
Key Takeaways
- Always wash inside out with cold water and a gentle cycle.
- Air dry - never machine dry - to protect prints and fabric.
- Use mild detergent, no bleach or softener.
- Store folded in a cool, dark place.
- Rotate your merch to even out wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fabric softener on my MSSP merch?
No. Fabric softener coats fibers, reduces breathability, and can weaken the adhesive on screen prints. Stick to a mild liquid detergent and add white vinegar to the rinse cycle for natural softness.How do I remove stains from a printed tee?
Spot-treat with a mixture of cold water and a drop of dish soap, gently dabbing with a soft cloth. Rub from the outside of the stain inward. Never scrub the print directly. Then wash on cold inside out.Why did my hoodie pill after washing?
Pilling happens from friction in the machine. You may have overloaded the washer or used a rough cycle. Always use a gentle cycle, turn the hoodie inside out, and wash with similar lightweight items.Can I use hot water to shrink a tee that's too big?
You can try a warm wash, but it may also fade the print. For a controlled shrink, wash on warm, not hot, and dry on low heat. Check often to avoid overshrinking - cotton can lose up to 5% of its size.How often should I wash my merch?
After every 2-3 wears unless it's visibly dirty or smelly. Over-washing wears out prints faster. Spot clean small stains and air out tees between wears to extend time between washes.
