Washing Shirts with Spaghetti Straps

Updated on May 28, 2009
J.S. asks from Santa Fe, NM
15 answers

In the summertime, I love to wear shirts with spaghetti straps. They're so comfotable and easy to nurse my daughter in! My problem is that the straps keep getting tangled up or caught on something in the washer or dryer and it either stretches the straps too far to wear or rips the straps off altogether! I just took a load out and had 3 shirts completely ruined. How can I keep this from happening? I thought about a mesh garment bag but I can't find one big enough so that all the shirts will fit inside and still dry. Any thoughts?

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J.C.

answers from Phoenix on

after I am done wearing the Tank and before I put it in the hamper, I tie the straps together in a semi-loose loop knot. This way the straps don't get caught around the washer thing or get wrapped around any cloths in the dryer, then when I am ready to wear again, I just pull the loop knot out and WAAALA!

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D.D.

answers from Phoenix on

garment bag is probably the only answer unless you want to hand wash and lay flat to dry. Get a few of the mesh bash if you need to.

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M.A.

answers from Phoenix on

Have you tried washing them on the gentle cycle? My washer has a delicate cycle and a hand wash cycle with very low agitation. I use these for my bra's and shirts like you mentioned. I even use it for items that I don't want to fade (like dark jeans). Works great!

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M.J.

answers from Tucson on

get a mesh bag to wash them in.

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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Get a few of the mesh bags rather than one big one...the expense is worth it not to ruin the tops. Or hand wash.

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L.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I have a very large mesh bag I use in the washer. I think I ordered it from Lillian Vernon. You could look on-line for one. You said you tried the mesh bag but the shirts aren't drying. Are they getting ruined in the washer or dryer? You could wash them in the bag and take them out of the bag when you put them in the dryer.

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D.W.

answers from Phoenix on

I think you are on the right track with the mesh bags. Why does it have to be one big one? Would several small ones not do the same duty?

D.

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D.S.

answers from Flagstaff on

Go to WalMart (even Safeway sells them here) and get yourself a lingerie bag. It is a fishnet type bag that zips open and closed. Put one or two of your shirts in it and wash them in that. This keeps the straps from getting tangled in anything, guaranteed. They can be dried in the bag as well. (or line-dry them). Some bags are small and some are larger. The average will probably hold two.
My mom says that they used pillow cases in her day. Hey, why not? These bags are also good for delicates and other items that have velcro or ribbons/straps that get tangled up or caught in other things and ripped. I use mine for bras, ace bandages, bibs with tie-straps or velcro, etc.
As you say, the only problem is that you can probably only fit two at a time. You can find fairly large ones. I have two and the largest is about 22" X 20". I can fit two sun-tops with spaghetti straps at a time.
Hope this helps.

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S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

You can get inexpensive mesh bags at Dollar Tree in a variety of sizes. I would try that. I've bought ones there large enough for sweaters.

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K.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi J.,

You might not have the time for this, but if you hand washed in the sink, a few at a time, and hung them up to dry it would eliminate the problem. I have a clothes line in my back yard which I love using. I found out that if you hang clothes out early in the morning or after the sun goes down, they do not get stiff. Hang clothes out at night and take down in morning. Plus you save on electricity by not using the dryer all the time.
Just a thought.

Have a great day!
K.

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J.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I'd simply pull them out of the washing machine when you're transferring the clothes to the drier, and then hang dry them.

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J.C.

answers from Phoenix on

try using a pillow case... and dry flat

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M.V.

answers from Las Cruces on

Hi, I use a pillow case that works pretty well for me. I havent been able to find any of the mesh bags or a garment bag. I go to my moms house to use her washer and dryer too since mine doesnt have a gentle cycle. My shirts stretch over time and mostly my cat eats the straps my pillow case works for me right now for my camis and bras and stuff. where do you find garment bags and do they really help and dry in the dryer?

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K.W.

answers from Phoenix on

I large pillow case and tie the end into a knot.

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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

I use the mesh bags for bras, or a separate mesh bag for anything with velcro on it - so it dosen't snag other items. I always have several of the bags. I would think that would be your best bet. I have them in several sizes. You may have to try different stores to find the size you're looking for. Target, Walmart. Kmart, and Bed, Bath & Beyond would have them.

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