Here's the thing: soft-wash doesn't mean zero maintenance. Some people assume the shirt is already 'broken in' so it'll never shrink or fade. Not true. The garment-dyeing process makes the fabric softer, but it also means the dye sits on the surface, so it can fade faster if you're not careful.

Another common mix-up is thinking fabric softener is your friend. It's not. Softeners coat the fibers, which can dull the color and reduce breathability. Skip it. And bleach? Unless you want a tie-dye effect, keep it away.