Does Cotton Shrink? How to Prevent Cotton from Shrinking

Cotton shrinks during washing and drying processes. This shrinkage occurs because water molecules are absorbed into the fibers of the fabric and expand them.

If you wash your cotton clothes multiple times, the process becomes more pronounced. As mentioned above, this shrinkage can cause problems when trying to wear a garment that has been washed several times.

The good news is there are ways to prevent this from happening. In this article, you’re going to learn how to prevent cotton from shrinking.

A Guide to Stop Cotton from Shrinking

Cotton is one of those fabrics that we love because of its softness, durability, and ease of care. Unfortunately, cotton does tend to shrink over time.

This is especially true when exposed to lowest heat, moisture, chemicals, and agitation.

There are several ways to help keep your clothes looking great without having to pay hundreds of dollars to replace them. Here are some cool tips to stop cotton from shrinking.

1. Dry Cleaning

If you’re worried about your cotton clothes getting shrunk, you might want to consider taking them to a professional cleaner. They’ll use special equipment to reduce the amount of agitation during the cleaning process. If you don’t have access to a professional cleaner, you can try doing it yourself.

2. Hand Wash

This method requires less energy and water than machine washing, but it won’t provide the same level of protection against shrinkage. You can still wash your cotton garment by hand if you’d rather save money and resources. Just remember to follow proper washing care instructions.

3. Cold Water

Cold water is good for keeping your clothes clean, but it’s not always the best option for preventing shrinkage. When you wash your cotton shirts in cool water, you’re actually adding extra agitation to the mix. Instead, opt for warm or lukewarm water.

Also Read: How to Clean a Washing Machine Drain Pipe

Does Cotton Shrink in the Wash and the Dryer?

Cotton shrinks because there is a lot of tension being applied to its fibers and fabric during the construction of the specific garment. This tension is caused by the heat from the washer and dryer releasing the fiber’s built up energy.

When the clothes are put away, the air cools off, causing the tension to build again. As soon as the laundry is placed into the machine, it releases the tension, allowing the material to shrink back to its original size.

If you notice that your favorites are still shrinking after multiple washes, it could mean that your washer or dryer needs some maintenance.

How Much Does Cotton Shrink?

Cotton shrinks up to 5% in length and width following washing. This is a widespread practice among clothing manufacturers and is done for the consumer’s convenience.

You don’t want to purchase something that fits perfectly the first time around only to find out later that it shrunk in the wash.

The care label usually indicates whether the cotton item has undergone pre-washing prior to being shipped to retailers. Pre-washed garments are typically shrinked less than unprocessed ones. Depending on the manufacturer, the shrinkage can range anywhere from 2% to 5%.

If you’re buying a large quantity of clothes, check the labels carefully to avoid wasting money on extra shipping costs.

Also Read: How to Clean Gold Jewelry at Home

Caring for Cotton

The average person throws away $1,500 worth of clothes every single year. And while it might seem like a lot of money, it isn’t much compared to how much we spend on our pets.

So why does it feel like throwing away money when we throw away our clothes?

Because many people aren’t aware of what happens to their clothing as it goes into the landfill.

Even though most people know that textiles degrade over time, they often forget about the fact that fabric itself actually degrades.

While some people think that washing their cotton clothing is enough to keep them looking good, it’s important to remember that there are things that you can do to help prevent your clothes from shrinking.

For example, you can wash your clothes less frequently, use dryer sheets, and follow the label instructions carefully.

You can also ask your local thrift store to accept gently used items and donate them to those in need.

How to Prevent Cotton from Shrinking?

Whether your clothing is crafted from cotton or a premium cotton mix, it shouldn’t shrink when exposed to high heat and in direct sunlight.

But even if you do everything right, some fabrics shrink when exposed to high temperatures. This is especially true of polyester blends that contain cotton.

To avoid shrinking, you should use proper laundering procedures, laundry soap, laundry detergent. If you’re washing your clothes by hand, make sure you don’t overfill the machine.

You should also use gentle laundry cycle and lower water temperature settings. And since many people like to tumble dry their clothes, try to limit how long you let your clothes hang out in the dryer.

And while we’re talking about labels, it’s worth noting that there are different ways to spell “cotton.” Some brands spell it “cotone,” others spell it “cotone,” and still others spell it “cole.”

Whatever spelling you choose, just remember that the best way to keep your clothes looking great is to read the label carefully.

Machine Washing

A great rule of thumb: When you wash clothes, turn the temperature down to cold water. This will help prevent shrinking. Use the gentle laundry cycle if possible. If you don’t have a front loader, try a top load. They are less expensive and often work better.

Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics used in clothing today, especially among women. But did you know it needs special care?

When washing clothes, don’t forget about the fabric type. If you’re washing cotton fabric, make sure to wash it in cold water. This will prevent shrinking and help keep colors vibrant.

You want to avoid turning up the temperature too high, though. While many people think warm water is better for cleaning, it actually causes the fibers to become stiffer.

So, if you do decide to go with warm water, make sure to use a gentle detergent.

Also Read: How To Clean Your Birkenstocks

Hand-Washing Option

The washing machine might seem like the obvious answer to cleaning your laundry, but there are many reasons why you might want to do some hand-washing instead.

Here are five reasons why you might prefer doing your laundry by hand over putting it into the washing machine.

1. You don’t have a washing machine. If you live in an apartment building without a shared washing machine, you’ll need to wash your clothes by hand.
2. Your washing machine isn’t working properly. Maybe it’s broken or leaking water everywhere. Or maybe you just don’t trust it. Whatever the case, you’re probably better off washing your clothes by hand anyway because you know exactly how much soap to use and you won’t end up with a damp mess.
3. Your washing machine takes too long. Some people say that the best way to clean your clothes is to put them in cold water and let them sit for 15 minutes. This method helps break down stains and removes odors. However, if you’re short on time, you might be better off washing your clothes in hot water and rinsing them immediately.
4. You don’t have enough space. If you live in a small apartment or condo, you might find yourself running low on storage space. This could mean that you need to hang your wet clothes outside to dry. But hanging clothes outside is a hassle. Instead, try folding your clothes and storing them inside a closet or under your bed.
5. You don’t have access to electricity. If you don’t have access to power, you might need to wash your clothes manually. This could involve boiling water on a stovetop burner or lighting a fire underneath your washing machine. Either option works fine, but remember to keep the heat low to avoid scalding your clothes.

Can You Reverse Cotton Shrinkage?

If you’re looking to save your favorite cotton T-shirt, it might be time to do some laundry. In fact, you could even say that cotton shrinkage is a real thing might back to the normal size.

While most people wouldn’t think twice about washing their favorite sweater, there’s actually something special about how clothes shrink. And while you might think that shrinking happens randomly, it turns out that there’s a method to the madness.

In fact, researchers found that if you fully submerge a piece of clothing in water, it’ll shrink up to 20 percent. But what if you want to avoid having to wash every single article of clothing in your closet? There’s good news here too.

The research team discovered that you can use a technique called “drying shrinkage,” where you simply hang your wet items on a drying rack. This process allows the fabric to dry naturally, without causing further damage.

And while this isn’t exactly a permanent solution, it does mean that you won’t have to worry about accidentally shrinking your favorite pieces again.