₦airaland Forum

KobolanderSegun:
Was on Facebook today and I follow fashion on social media I came across a video of someone claiming to have worn a t-shirt for 20 years

https://www.facebook.com/61577418176407/videos/1689256429583715/?app=fbl

How long do you wear you T-Shirts for an do they end up as rags to first dust the furniture, then to mop the floor, to be used to clean the generator then finally in the dustbin for LAWMA to through away finally ?

Alikoooooooooo:
That is easy I can wear a t-shirt for 40 years. I only through away clothes when they get faded badly I have close to 200 T-Shirts so it's not like I wear the same thing regularly. 20 years is small.

KobolanderSegun:
Was on Facebook today and I follow fashion on social media I came across a video of someone claiming to have worn a t-shirt for 20 years

https://www.facebook.com/61577418176407/videos/1689256429583715/?app=fbl

How long do you wear you T-Shirts for an do they end up as rags to first dust the furniture, then to mop the floor, to be used to clean the generator then finally in the dustbin for LAWMA to through away finally ?

fireboyHtml:
Well the shirt is fine I have that much to say..... but can't the guy simply buy the same thing every year ?

KobolanderSegun:
Why would anyone buy the same shirt every year when they can maintain one shirt so it lasts for 30 years ?

fireboyHtml:
But will the shirt not be becoming faded ?

KobolanderSegun:
Not really. It all depends on how you maintain you clothes

fireboyHtml:
My clothes always fade after like 20 washes that is if I was themself. I used to give them to drycleaners in the past but the present cost of drycleaners is very high. Can you imagine washing a N5k T-Shirt for 1.5k ?

KobolanderSegun:
That is really a short time where do you buy your clothes from are the brand new ?

fireboyHtml:
How now ? I don't do Okrika. I only do brand new. I buy my clothes from Boutiques in Ikeja. I think Ikeja have more quality than buying in idumota or at Balogun

Alikoooooooooo:
Most of the time the Boutique owners get their stock from either Mandillas, Balogun or idumota. You can even get better quality at Balogun than at a Boutique in Ikeja

fireboyHtml:
I'm talking of clothes that cost like 50k. I buy my T-Shirts for 50k a piece.

fireboyHtml:
I'm talking of clothes that cost like 50k. I buy my T-Shirts for 50k a piece.

KobolanderSegun:
Was on Facebook today and I follow fashion on social media I came across a video of someone claiming to have worn a t-shirt for 20 years

https://www.facebook.com/61577418176407/videos/1689256429583715/?app=fbl

How long do you wear you T-Shirts for an do they end up as rags to first dust the furniture, then to mop the floor, to be used to clean the generator then finally in the dustbin for LAWMA to through away finally ?

KobolanderSegun:
I hope they are not scamming you because 50k should get a world class Tee-shirt. Even me that I am into fashion as my profession I buy from Lagos Island for like N6,500 and they can last for 7 years even with poor washing habits from my clients

kpankpangolo:
https://www.nairaland.com/8601145/it-finished

fireboyHtml:
Nobody is scamming me.... Do I look like a child ?

KobolanderSegun:
Did I say you were a kid ?

fireboyHtml:
I have being buying T-Shirts for God knows how long and you are insinuating that I don't know what I am doing

KobolanderSegun:
Na wa for you o..... I never said they were scamming you what I just said was a 50K shirt should not fade anyhow.

fireboyHtml:
So you are saying I'm buying fake T-Shirt that is why they are not lasting ?

Alikoooooooooo:
What type of soap do you use to wash your clothes with ? It could be you are using the wrong type of soap. Are you using Bar soap or powder detergent ?

KobolanderSegun:
Was on Facebook today and I follow fashion on social media I came across a video of someone claiming to have worn a t-shirt for 20 years

https://www.facebook.com/61577418176407/videos/1689256429583715/?app=fbl

How long do you wear you T-Shirts for an do they end up as rags to first dust the furniture, then to mop the floor, to be used to clean the generator then finally in the dustbin for LAWMA to through away finally ?

fireboyHtml:
Is soap not soap ? Or do you want me to use Shampoo ?

fireboyHtml:
Is soap not soap ? Or do you want me to use Shampoo ?

fireboyHtml:
Is soap not soap ? Or do you want me to use Shampoo ?

Alikoooooooooo:
Not all soaps are created equal. Grab the wrong one, and your beloved black tee will fade into a sad, patchy grey, or your vibrant Ankara-print collar will bleed into a muddy mess. So, what is the best type of soap to hand-wash T-shirts in Lagos? Let’s break it down, Lagos-style.

First, let’s talk about the undisputed MVP for hand-washing T-shirts: Liquid Detergent. If you are washing your clothes in a plastic bucket by the bathroom or on the balcony, liquid detergent is your best friend. Brands like Sunlight Liquid or Omo Liquid are absolute game-changers. Why? Because they dissolve instantly in water, whether it is cold borehole water or slightly warmed tank water. Unlike powders, which can sometimes leave those annoying white, chalky streaks on dark fabrics if you don’t stir them perfectly, liquid soap glides right in. It is also much gentler on the rubbery prints and logos that adorn most modern T-shirts. A little capful, a good swirl with your hands, and you are already halfway to freshness.

Now, I know some of you are loyal to the Powder Detergents, like Ariel or the classic Omo powder. And look, for tough, ground-in stains, like that suya pepper stain or the mud from a sudden Lagos downpour, powder has a certain abrasive magic. But for regular T-shirt maintenance? You have to be careful. If you use powder, you must dissolve it in a separate cup of water first before adding it to your main washing bucket. If you dump the granules directly onto a wet T-shirt, you are basically inviting localized bleaching. Use powder for your jeans and towels; save the liquid for your tees.

What about the Traditional Laundry Bars? Ah, the blue or yellow bars of soap that have been in Nigerian households since the dawn of time. While they are fantastic for scrubbing the collars of white shirts or tackling heavy-duty grime, they are generally too harsh for everyday T-shirts. They have a high pH level that can strip the dye right out of your cotton, leaving your clothes feeling stiff and looking faded after just a few washes. If you must use a bar soap, opt for something milder, or better yet, reserve it for spot-treating only.

For those who have invested in expensive, delicate, or vintage T-shirts, I highly recommend keeping a bottle of mild baby wash or a gentle fabric-specific liquid in your arsenal. These are pH-balanced, meaning they won’t attack the fibers of your shirt. They might not have the aggressive, mountain breeze scent of heavy-duty detergents, but they will ensure your tee survives another year without the print cracking or the fabric thinning out.

Of course, the soap is only half the battle. The Lagos environment demands a few extra hand-washing pro-tips. First, always soak your T-shirts for fifteen to twenty minutes before scrubbing. It loosens the sweat and dust, meaning you have to scrub less, which preserves the fabric. Second, be mindful of your water source. If you are using hard borehole water, you might need a tiny bit more soap to get a good lather, but make sure you rinse thoroughly. Soap residue trapped in the fibers will turn yellow under the fierce Lagos sun.

Speaking of the sun, please, abeg, dry your colored T-shirts in the shade. The Nigerian sun is unforgiving. Hanging a wet, brightly colored tee in direct sunlight at two in the afternoon is basically paying for it to be sun-bleached. Turn them inside out and hang them under the balcony roof or in a well-ventilated, shaded area.

At the end of the day, the best soap is the one that balances effectiveness, fabric care, and your budget. For the everyday Lagosian, a good quality liquid detergent hits that sweet spot perfectly. It cuts through the humidity and the hustle, keeps your colors vibrant, and doesn’t require a chemistry degree to use properly.

Hand-washing your T-shirts in Lagos might be a chore, but with the right soap and a little bit of care, you can step out looking crisp, confident, and ready to take on whatever the city throws at you next. After all, in a city as chaotic as Lagos, a clean, fresh-smelling T-shirt is a small victory worth fighting for.

Bayo300g:
Everyone knows bar soap is the best , this your comment is like an Epistle

Alikoooooooooo:
So which brand of bar soap is the best for washing tee-shirts?

Bayo300g:
Canoe soap or Viva soap

Alikoooooooooo:
Omo you know what's up..... You tried but the real answer is bathing soap like Lux , Imperial leather and any soap people use to bath with. These are the mildest soap for washing clothes