Quick answer
Wash your sugarplum boy shorts inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then line dry them in the shade. Skip the dryer and harsh detergents to protect the cotton-spandex blend and the deep plum color.
Why sugarplum needs a gentler routine than you might think
Deep, saturated colors like sugarplum show fading faster than light shades, and heat is the main culprit. Hot water and a hot dryer break down dye molecules and can also weaken the spandex that gives the boy shorts their stretch.
The self-bound edges on these undies are a comfort feature, but they can pill or lose shape if they rub against zippers or heavy fabrics in the wash. Turning the shorts inside out and using a mesh bag keeps those edges protected.
What to avoid even when the label seems flexible
The care note on these boy shorts says cold wash and line dry, but it does not specify a detergent type. As a safe rule, choose a mild, color-safe detergent without bleach or optical brighteners. Bleach will strip sugarplum to a dull mauve, and brighteners can leave a chalky cast on dark cotton.
Fabric softener is another thing to skip. It coats cotton fibers and reduces the natural breathability of the 92% organic cotton blend, and it can make the spandex feel slimy over time.
Step-by-step care for sugarplum boy shorts
- Turn them inside out and bag them: Before washing, turn the boy shorts inside out so the outer sugarplum surface faces inward. Place them in a mesh laundry bag to keep the bound edges from snagging on zippers or buttons from other clothes. Check that the bag is zipped closed; an open bag defeats the purpose.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle: Use cold water (below 30°C / 85°F) on a delicate or gentle cycle with a mild, color-safe detergent. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, and detergents with optical brighteners. If your machine has a hand-wash setting, use it; the less agitation, the better for the spandex.
- Skip the dryer and line dry in the shade: Hang or lay the boy shorts flat to dry away from direct sunlight. Direct sun can fade sugarplum over time, and a tumble dryer's heat will shrink the spandex and set wrinkles. Dry them indoors or in a shaded spot; a sunny windowsill is not your friend here.
- Store folded, not hung: Once dry, fold the boy shorts and store them in a drawer. Hanging them by the waistband can stretch out the elastic over months. Keep them away from rough drawer hardware that could snag the bound edges.
Product details that shape the care routine
-
BOY SHORTS, sugarplum: Mid-rise boy cut with two front seams and a self-bound comfortable finish, made from 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex. The cotton-spandex blend needs cold water to protect stretch, and the bound edges benefit from inside-out washing to prevent friction damage.
BOY SHORTS, sugarplum
