The thing that surprised me most? How much difference the wash temperature makes. I tested a windbar tee in cold vs. warm water, and the cold one kept its shape noticeably better. Also, the dryer is not your friend. Even on low, the tumbling action can weaken the fibers over time. Air drying flat is the safest bet, but if you're short on time, a low tumble with a cool-down cycle works in a pinch.

Another surprise: storage matters more than you'd think. Folding your tees instead of hanging them keeps the neckline from stretching. I used to hang everything, but after seeing a collar warp on a favorite tee, I switched to folding all my cotton tees.