This White Shirt Won't Stain From Wine Spills
Nothing beats the look of a clean, crisp white button-up shirt, but all it takes is one drip of red wine to ruin it. When the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute found a shirt from Chico’s that claimed it was stain resistant and no iron, we had to put it to the test. Is this the white cotton shirt of our dreams?
The Textiles Lab evaluated the shirt’s two main claims:
"Repels oil-based and water-based stains"
"Always has a pristine wrinkle-free look"
The stain test: We checked if this shirt could really stand up to all types of messes. Using over 15 different stains, we tested liquids like hot coffee, cold oily salad dressings, sticky condiments, and even makeup (which is technically a pigment based stain). The shirt was stained with each ingredient when it was brand new, after one wash, and after five washes to see if the finish would hold up over time.
The wrinkle test: On a separate shirt, we rated the smoothness of the fabric after it was washed once and again after five washes. We also looked at the shrinkage and overall appearance after laundering.
Is the shirt truly stain- and wrinkle-resistant?
Yes! This shirt mostly held up to its two main claims. When it came to stains, the water based stains (like coffee, wine, and soy sauce) beaded and wiped away easily, leaving no residue even before laundering. When the shirt was brand new, messier oil based stains such as chocolate sauce and ketchup left some residue before laundering, but after washing there was barely any sign of them. Pigment-based stains like ink, foundation, and lipstick stained the shirt, but that's not surprising as they're not oil or water-based.
After multiple washes, though, the stain resistant finish did not hold up as well to oil-based stains, so you may want to continue avoiding red sauce around your white shirt. Luckily, the shirt continued to repel water based stains with ease, so don't worry about that red wine drip.
Though it wasn't totally wrinkle-free, the shirt only had slight wrinkles and no deep creases that plague other professional button tops. The wrinkles were so minimal that we did not see a need to iron after washing. Plus, there was barely any shrinkage or pilling in our evaluations, so you can wear this top right out of the dryer.
Is it worth it?
If you're someone who is always spilling your drink or stressing about looking like a crumpled mess, this is the shirt for you. Just don't expect any miracles. It won't protect you from all stains or keep you looking totally wrinkle-free.
It's available in sizes XS-XXL and it comes in lots of colors and prints, so you can reap its benefits even if white shirts aren't your thing. Chico's is offering a deal right now where if you buy 2, you can get each for $59. This is certainly the white shirt of our dreams but you can also sign us up for one in every color!
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