01Why storage matters
Ironing a shirt takes time and skill; creasing it again takes a second. Many people press shirts beautifully, then hang them on thin wire hangers in a packed wardrobe, or fold them into a crowded drawer, and wonder why they look tired by the time they are worn. A pressed shirt is at its best when it has been allowed to cool and set, then hung or folded in a way that supports its shape and keeps it away from pressure, damp and dust.
Good storage also protects shirts over the long term. The right hanger keeps shoulders from stretching, enough space stops collars being crushed, and a dry, cool wardrobe prevents musty smells and the slow yellowing of collars. Shirts that are stored well need less ironing, last longer and look better every time they are worn.
This guide covers hanging shirts, choosing hangers, organising the wardrobe, folding shirts for drawers and travel, caring for collars and cuffs in storage, storing shirts for longer periods and keeping them fresh between wears.
02Let pressed shirts cool first
A shirt straight off the ironing board is warm and slightly damp. The fibres are still relaxed and will take on the shape of whatever presses on them. Hang it in the open air for a while, on a door frame or a hook, until it is completely cool and dry, before it goes into the wardrobe. Ten to fifteen minutes is usually enough. This simple step stops new creases forming as soon as the shirt is put away.
03Choosing the right hanger
The hanger is the most important storage tool for a shirt.
| Hanger | Effect on shirts |
|---|---|
| Thin wire hanger | Leaves dents in shoulders; shirts slip and crease |
| Narrow plastic hanger | Better than wire, but shoulders can still droop |
| Shaped wooden hanger | Supports shoulders; keeps shape; ideal |
| Padded hanger | Gentle on delicate fabrics such as silk blouses |
| Velvet-covered slim hanger | Stops slipping; saves space; can mark some fabrics |
The right width
The hanger should reach just inside the shoulder seams. Too narrow and the shoulders droop; too wide and the hanger pushes out bumps at the sleeve heads.
Wire hangers
Wire hangers from the dry cleaner are fine for getting shirts home but not for storage. Swap them for proper hangers as soon as you can.
04How to hang a shirt
- Fasten the top button and one button in the middle, so the front stays straight and the collar keeps its shape.
- Straighten the collar so it sits evenly around the hanger.
- Smooth the shoulders and sleeves so they hang straight.
- Leave the sleeves hanging naturally at the sides, not twisted.
- Make sure the shirt hangs square on the hanger, not pulled to one side.
Collar stiffeners
If your shirts use collar stiffeners, put them back in after ironing so the collar points stay sharp in the wardrobe.
06Caring for collars and cuffs in storage
- Do not crush collars against the wardrobe wall or other shirts.
- Keep collar stiffeners in the collar or in a small pot nearby.
- Remove cufflinks before storage.
- Leave cuffs unbuttoned or buttoned loosely, so they do not crease at the fold.
- For double cuffs, fold them loosely rather than pressing a sharp crease that weakens the fabric over time.
07Cufflinks, stiffeners and accessories
Cufflinks, collar stiffeners and collar bars are small and easily lost. Keep them in a small tray or box near the wardrobe. Remove cufflinks before a shirt goes into the laundry or into storage; they can tear the cuff, damage the machine or get lost. Keep a set of spare collar stiffeners, since they bend and break over time. Metal stiffeners last longer than plastic ones but should never go through the wash.
08Organising the wardrobe
A crowded wardrobe is the enemy of pressed shirts.
- Leave a finger's width or more between shirts, so they do not crush each other.
- Hang shirts facing the same way, so they are easy to see and take out without disturbing others.
- Keep heavy coats and jackets on a separate rail, so they do not press against shirts.
- Group shirts by colour or occasion to find the right one quickly.
- Put freshly pressed shirts at one end and take from the other, so all shirts get worn.
Damp and light
Keep the wardrobe away from damp outside walls and bathrooms. Damp brings musty smells and mildew; strong light fades colours. A closed wardrobe in a dry room is ideal.
09Planning a shirt wardrobe
If you are setting up a new wardrobe or reorganising an old one, a little planning keeps shirts in good condition.
Rail height
Shirts need about a metre of hanging height. A double rail, with one rail above the other, fits two rows of shirts where one row of coats would go.
Rail length
Allow enough rail length for every shirt to have a little space. As a guide, think of a few centimetres per shirt, more for heavier fabrics.
Shelves and drawers
Use shelves or shallow drawers for folded casual shirts, polos and knitwear. Deep drawers lead to tall stacks and crushed shirts at the bottom.
Lighting
A light inside or near the wardrobe helps you see colours and spot marks before wearing. Keep it away from fabrics, since some bulbs give off heat.
Ventilation
Wardrobes with slatted doors or a gap at the top allow air to circulate. Solid doors are fine if the wardrobe is aired regularly.
10Shirts in small London wardrobes
Many London flats have small built-in wardrobes or none at all, and space for shirts is tight. A few ideas help.
- Use slim, shaped hangers, which take less rail space than bulky wooden ones while still supporting shoulders.
- Add a second rail below the first for shirts, since shirts are shorter than coats and dresses.
- Keep out-of-season clothes elsewhere, under the bed or in storage, so the wardrobe holds only what you wear now.
- Use over-door hooks for the next day's shirt, so it airs and stays uncreased.
- Fold casual shirts in drawers to free rail space for formal ones.
- Consider a freestanding rail with a cover in a bedroom corner if there is no wardrobe.
Avoid the back of the door
Hanging lots of shirts on the back of a door crushes them every time the door opens. Use it for one or two at most.
11Keeping the wardrobe fresh
A musty wardrobe makes clean shirts smell stale.
- Air the wardrobe regularly by leaving the doors open for an hour.
- Keep it away from damp outside walls; leave a small gap between the back of the wardrobe and the wall.
- Use moisture absorbers in damp homes and empty them regularly.
- Never hang damp or worn shirts among clean ones.
- Vacuum the wardrobe floor and wipe shelves every few months.
- Use cedar or lavender if you like a natural scent.
12Folding shirts for drawers
Some shirts, such as casual shirts, polo shirts and shirts for travel, are often folded rather than hung. A neat fold reduces creases.
- Button the shirt, at least the top, middle and bottom buttons.
- Lay it face down on a flat surface and smooth it.
- Fold one side towards the middle, about a third of the way across, folding the sleeve back along the side.
- Repeat with the other side.
- Fold the bottom up by about a third, then fold again to the collar.
- Turn the shirt over; the collar and front should be neat and flat.
Tissue paper
A sheet of tissue paper inside the fold softens the creases and stops the shirt pressing against itself.
Stacking
Stack folded shirts no more than a few high, so the ones at the bottom are not crushed. Store them collar to collar alternating, or upright in a drawer like files, so you can see each one.
13Tissue paper and why it helps
Acid-free tissue paper placed inside folds does two things. It cushions the fabric, so folds are softer and less likely to set into sharp creases. And it stops one layer of fabric pressing directly against another, which reduces friction creases. For shirts stored folded for a long time, or packed for travel, a sheet or two of tissue makes a noticeable difference.
14Packing shirts for travel
Shirts and suitcases do not get on, but a few methods keep creasing to a minimum.
The folding method
Fold each shirt as for a drawer, with tissue paper inside, and lay the folded shirts flat near the top of the case, where nothing heavy sits on them. Alternate collars at opposite ends to keep the stack level.
The rolling method
Rolling suits casual shirts and T-shirts: button, fold the sleeves in, fold in half lengthways and roll from the hem. Rolled shirts can still crease at the collar, so this is less suitable for formal shirts.
Folding boards
Shirt folding boards or packing folders keep folded shirts flat and protect them from being crushed. They are useful for business trips.
Garment bags
For important shirts, a garment bag carried separately, or laid flat on top of everything else, keeps shirts on their hangers and almost crease-free.
On arrival
Unpack shirts first and hang them straight away. Hang them in the bathroom while you shower; the steam drops out light creases. A travel steamer is useful for anything more.
15Shirts in hotel rooms
Hotel wardrobes often have hangers that cannot be removed from the rail and are too thin for shirts. Some travellers pack a couple of light, shaped travel hangers. Hang shirts as soon as you arrive, away from the bathroom door if the room is steamy for long periods, and keep worn shirts in a separate bag so they do not mingle with clean ones.
16Between wears
Most business shirts should be washed after each wear, but a shirt worn for a few hours on a cool day may be fine to wear again. If so, hang it to air overnight on a shaped hanger, away from other clothes, before deciding. Never put a worn shirt back among clean pressed shirts, where it can pass on smells and body oils. If the collar or underarms look or smell worn, wash it.
17Rotating shirts
Wearing the same few shirts over and over wears them out quickly, while others sit unused. Rotation spreads the wear.
- Hang freshly pressed shirts at one end of the rail.
- Take the next shirt from the other end.
- Over time, every shirt is worn and washed in turn.
Rotation also means you notice when a shirt needs attention, such as a loose button or a worn collar, because you handle every shirt regularly.
18Pressed on hangers or folded from the laundry
When shirts come back from a laundry or shirt service, they usually come either pressed on hangers or folded.
On hangers
Shirts on hangers are ready to wear. Transfer them to your own shaped hangers if the laundry's hangers are thin, and remove plastic covers once home. Hang them with space around them.
Folded
Folded shirts are useful for travel and for storing in drawers. They will have fold lines, which usually drop out after a few hours on a hanger or with a quick touch of the iron. Ask for folded shirts if you pack often or have little hanging space.
19Storage by fabric
Different shirt fabrics behave differently on the hanger and in the drawer.
Cotton poplin and broadcloth
Smooth, crisp business cottons hang well on shaped hangers and hold their press for days if they have space.
Oxford cloth
A slightly heavier, textured cotton that creases less and is forgiving in drawers and suitcases.
Twill and herringbone
Dense weaves that drape well and resist creasing; good travellers.
Non-iron cotton
Treated to resist creasing. Hangs well and often needs only a quick touch-up after storage.
Linen
Creases readily. Needs plenty of space on the rail and a steam or press after folding.
Silk and viscose blouses
Delicate and slippery. Use padded or velvet-covered hangers and keep them out of direct light.
Flannel and brushed cotton
Soft and slightly bulky. Fold for drawers or hang on wide hangers with extra space.
20Linen shirts
Linen shirts crease easily, both when worn and in storage. Hang them with plenty of space so they do not press against other clothes. If you fold them for travel, accept that they will crease and plan to steam or press them on arrival. Many people enjoy linen's relaxed look and do not mind a few creases; the key is to avoid deep, sharp folds that set.
21Polo shirts and knitted shirts
Polo shirts and knitted shirts stretch if hung for long periods, especially at the shoulders. Fold them and store them in drawers or on shelves rather than on hangers. If you do hang them, use a wide, padded hanger and do not leave them hanging for months. Fold sleeves behind the body and fold in half or thirds.
22Dress shirts and formal wear
Dress shirts for black-tie events often have pleated or bibbed fronts, wing or turned-down collars and double cuffs. They are worn rarely and usually stored for long periods.
- Have them laundered and pressed after each event, before storage.
- Remove studs and cufflinks and keep them with the shirt in a small bag.
- Hang them on a shaped hanger in a breathable cover.
- Do not starch them before long storage.
- Check them a few weeks before the next event, so there is time to press or refresh them.
23School shirts
School shirts can be hung on child-sized hangers in a row for the week, with the next day's shirt at the front. Hanging them straight from the wash, smoothed by hand, often means little ironing is needed. If they are folded in drawers, fold them neatly so collars do not crease, since a crumpled collar is what shows under a school jumper.
24Refreshing shirts that have creased in storage
Even well-stored shirts sometimes pick up a crease. A quick refresh fixes most:
- A few minutes with a handheld steamer from top to bottom.
- Hanging the shirt in a steamy bathroom while you shower.
- A light press of the collar, cuffs and front with an iron.
For shirts with deep creases from long storage or folding, a full press is best.
25Storing shirts for longer periods
Shirts you wear rarely, such as dress shirts or seasonal linen, need a little extra care.
- Make sure they are completely clean before storing; body oils left in the collar darken over time.
- Do not starch shirts before long storage; starch can attract insects.
- Hang them in breathable cotton garment covers, not plastic.
- Store them in a cool, dark, dry place.
- Check them every few months for yellowing, moths or damp.
- Before wearing, give them a quick press or steam.
Plastic covers
The thin plastic covers shirts sometimes come back from the laundry in are for transport. For storage, remove them; they trap moisture and can cause yellowing.
26Yellowing in storage
White shirts stored for months can develop yellow patches, particularly along collars and folds. Common causes are body oils not fully washed out, which oxidise over time; storage in plastic, which traps moisture; storage on untreated wooden shelves, which can transfer acids; and exposure to light. Wash shirts thoroughly before storing, use breathable covers and store away from light. If yellowing appears, washing at the warmest temperature the label allows, with pre-treatment, often improves it.
27Moths and shirts
Clothes moths prefer wool, silk and other animal fibres, but they will damage cotton and blends that carry food stains or body oils, and they lay eggs in undisturbed corners of wardrobes. Shirts are less at risk than wool jumpers, but a stored dress shirt with a gravy mark on the cuff is not safe.
Store only clean shirts, vacuum the wardrobe floor and corners regularly, and check rarely worn shirts every few months. Cedar blocks or lavender bags may help deter moths as part of a routine, but clean clothes and a clean wardrobe matter most.
28Seasonal swaps
Many people swap lighter summer shirts for heavier winter ones as the seasons change. When swapping, wash and press shirts going into storage, fold them with tissue or hang them in breathable covers, and store them somewhere dry. When bringing shirts out of storage, hang them for a day to let fold lines drop and air out storage smells, and give them a quick press if needed.
29Moving house with shirts
Moving is hard on shirts. Packed into boxes, squashed in vans and left for days, they come out heavily creased.
The easiest way to move shirts is to keep them on their hangers. Wardrobe boxes, tall cardboard boxes with a hanging rail, let shirts travel upright. Alternatively, gather a dozen shirts on their hangers, slip a large bin bag or garment bag over them from the bottom with the hooks poking out of a hole at the top, and tie it closed. They can then be laid flat in a car or van and hung straight up at the new home.
If shirts must be folded into boxes, fold them neatly with tissue, pack them at the top of boxes and unpack them first. Press or steam them once they are hung in the new wardrobe.
How ArkLaundry helps
Shirts come back pressed on hangers, or folded for travel if you ask. A weekly shirt collection keeps the wardrobe topped up; ironing only is £2.00 a shirt, including VAT.
