Washing a shirt inside out by mistake is a common occurrence and usually doesn't have significant consequences. In fact, many clothing items are designed to be washed inside out to protect the outer fabric and any printed or delicate designs. However, there are a few potential consequences you might encounter:
Fading: Washing clothes inside out can help preserve the colors and prevent fading. If you accidentally wash a shirt right-side out, it may experience more friction with other garments, potentially leading to slight fading over time.
Wear on fabric: Washing clothes inside out can reduce the wear and tear on the fabric's outer surface. Washing them right-side out might expose the outer surface to more agitation and rubbing against other clothes, leading to slightly more fabric wear.
Print or design damage: If the shirt has any printed graphics, delicate embroidery, or other surface decorations, washing it inside out can help protect these designs from rubbing against other clothes or the washing machine's drum. Washing it right-side out might slightly increase the risk of damage to these decorative elements.
Lint and pilling: If the shirt is washed right-side out and made of materials that are prone to pilling (such as certain types of cotton or synthetic fabrics), it might develop more lint and pills due to the increased friction during washing.
Wrinkling: In some cases, washing a shirt inside out might help prevent excessive wrinkling. If washed right-side out, the shirt's outer surface may wrinkle more during the washing process.
While washing a shirt inside out is generally considered a good practice to protect the fabric and any decorative elements, the consequences of washing it right-side out by mistake are usually minor and won't ruin the shirt. To minimize potential issues, make sure to follow the care instructions on the clothing label, use appropriate washing settings, and separate delicate items from rougher fabrics when doing laundry.