How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking

If you have ever washed your favorite t-shirt, only to remove it from the dryer and find that it now can fit your 5 year old child, you have felt the pain and regret of shrinking your clothes.

Sadly, that happens to thousands of people every single day. So today we are going to find out what causes clothes to shrink and how to prevent it from happening in the future!

Why do some clothes shrink when you wash them?

The number one reason clothing shrinks when you wash them is their fabric content. Wool, linen, and cotton are more likely to shrink (which is why you should always read your clothing labels!)

Other reasons include excess moisture, heat and agitation.

Fiber content – Certain natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, are more likely to shrink than others. Wool clothing is prone to felting - a process that entails the wool fibers (which are covered in scales) to mesh together when they come into contact with heat and water.

Excess moisture – Natural fibers like cotton, linen and silk can be prone to relaxation shrinkage. When these fibers are exposed to water, they swell, causing the size of the garment to shrink.

Heat and agitation – Sometimes, the combination of hot water and the agitation from the washer and dryer can cause consolidation shrinkage. These conditions cause fibers, which are tightly woven and stretched out during the manufacturing process, to release this tension and return to their natural, smaller and shorter shape.

How to Prevent Your Clothes from Shrinking

Always Read Your Labels

Every garment comes with care instructions on the label. Following these instructions should ensure your clothing will not shrink. If the label says cold water only or dry clean only, follow their instructions!

Hand Wash

Hand washing helps you avoid the friction and heat exposure most washers and dryers can put your clothes through.

Wash In Cold Water

You will be least likely to shrink your clothing if you wash in cold water. However, note that not all “cold” washes are the same! Wool needs to be washed in 40 degree water - and if your cold wash is warmer than that, you could risk shrinking your garment.

Use a Drying Rack

Hanging your clothes to air dry is much safer than drying in a dryer. Save money, electricity, and your clothes!

How to Unshrink Clothing

If you’ve accidentally shrunk your favorite piece of clothing, don’t despair. It’s possible to reverse the damage by sending it to a dry cleaner. Dry cleaners have the proper machinery and heat settings to more effectively restore garments to their original condition.

You can also try to do it at home (this is a great tip for wool). Fill up a sink or tub with lukewarm water and add a cap full of baby shampoo. Place your garment into the water and allow it to soak for about five minutes. This process relaxes the fibers in the clothing.

Gently squeeze the clothing to remove water, then roll it up in a towel to absorb any additional moisture. Lay the garment out on a fresh towel and gently reshape it to its original dimensions and allow it to air dry.

Avoid Shrunken Clothing for good

Laundry mishaps happen… and if you are tired of shrinking your favorite clothes, spending hours of your time doing your laundry, and dreading your laundry every week, you need to use a mobile toxin-free laundry service like OrangeBag. Download the app and schedule a pickup today.