So you bought yourself a brand new cotton shirt. Wore it a couple of times and then threw it in the washing machine. When you come to take it out you notice something’s off. The sleeves seem to have shortened, it’s fitted tighter and somehow it doesn’t fit like it did before. If this sounds like you then keep reading.

There are many reasons why clothes shrink after being washed. From the temperature you use to the cycle your washing machine is set to can all affect your clothes.

But there are steps you can take to ensure your clothes don’t shrink as much. Below we will show you how to prevent your clothes from shrinking in the washing machine. As well as why they shrink and how to wash certain fabrics without shrinking them.

Why Do Clothes Shrink When You Wash Them?

As mentioned earlier, clothes can shrink due to a variety of factors. When washing clothes, the fibres can become tighter together and contract. The amount your clothes shrink will vary depending on the type of fabric and the way it’s been produced.

Certain fabrics are more susceptible to water, heat and agitation than others.

Here are some of the reasons your clothes may be shrinking:

• Water Temperature: Hot water can cause some fabrics to shrink, or shrink more than if you were using cold water.
• Agitation: Too much agitation can cause your clothes to shrink. Wool in particular can shrink and feel when agitated too much.
• Washing Machine Cycle: Using a cycle that is not suitable for your clothes can cause them to shrink, such as using a heavy-duty cycle on lighter clothing.
• Dryer Temperature: If you dry your clothes at a high temperature, they may shrink or distort their original shape.
• Type of Fabric: There are some fabrics that are more likely to shrink than others.

A T-shirt made of cotton may shrink after its first few washes, especially if it hasn’t been pre-shrunk. Or wool may shrink dramatically when washed in water.

Once you know what’s causing your clothes to shrink, you can take steps to avoid it.

How to Prevent Clothes From Shrinking in the Washing Machine

There are a few easy steps you can take to ensure your clothes don’t shrink in the washing machine. By using the correct water temperature, cycle and drying method, you can prevent most shrinkage.

Here are some tips to help you prevent your clothes from shrinking.

1. Read the Care Label

Before you place your clothes in the washing machine, check their care label.

The small label sewn into your shirt/kurta/jeans/sweater can tell you a lot about how to wash your clothes, whether they can be machine washed, what temperature you should wash them at and how to dry them.

These symbols may be found on your clothing labels:

• Wash tub with a number: This will tell you what temperature to wash your clothes at.
• Wash tub with a hand in it: This means your clothes should be hand washed.
• Crossed-out wash tub: Your clothes should not be washed in water.
• Lines under the wash tub: This means you should reduce the amount of washing action on your clothes.
• Crossed-out square with a circle inside: Your clothes should not be tumble dried.

Each piece of clothing can have a different care label even if they are both made from cotton. So always check before washing.

By doing this, you can avoid damaging your clothes.

2. Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water

By washing your clothes in cold water, you can prevent them from shrinking.

Hot water can cause clothes to shrink, especially if the fabric is made from cotton or linen. It can also affect your colours.

If your care label allows you to wash your clothes in cold water, then it’s best to start there.

Things to keep in mind:

• Cold water is fine for washing everyday T-shirts and cotton clothing.
• Do not wash wool in hot water as it can cause shrinkage.
• If your clothes are dirty, use the temperature stated on the care label.
• Ensure you use a detergent that is suitable for the temperature you are washing your clothes at.

Your clothes may still shrink, but by washing them in cold water, you can help prevent it from happening.

3. Select the Correct Washing Machine Cycle

Most washing machines have different programs you can choose from: cotton, normal, delicate, quick wash, etc.

It’s not always best to put all of your clothes on the same program.

If you put your clothes on a heavy-duty cycle, your delicate kurta may not survive.

Below is a list of what you can wash on each cycle.

Washing Machine Cycle	Clothing That Can Be Washed on This Cycle
Normal/Cotton	Normal cotton clothing that is machine washable
Delicate	Light and delicate clothing
Wool	Wool that can be machine washed
Quick Wash	Machine-washable clothing that isn’t dirty
Heavy Duty	Towels or clothing that are very dirty

If you are washing clothing that is prone to shrinkage, make sure you use the correct cycle.

Note that the delicate cycle does not mean your clothes can be machine washed. Some clothes will say they are hand wash only or dry clean only.

4. Don’t Overload Your Washing Machine

It may be tempting to try and fit all of your laundry into one load. But overloading your washing machine can cause problems.

Your clothes need room to move around in the washing machine.

If there isn’t enough space for your clothes, the washing machine may not be able to wash your clothes correctly. Or they may become bunched together.

Overloading your washing machine can cause your clothes to shrink, although this isn’t the only reason.

Make sure you read your washing machine’s guidelines on how much you can fit in it.

Also, if you have bulky items such as duvets, wash them on their own.

Make sure you separate your clothes and only wash what can fit in the washing machine.

This will help your clothes last longer and get a better wash.

5. Use the Correct Detergent

As we know, detergent is used to clean our clothes of dirt and bacteria. But not all detergents are created equal.

Some fabrics will require a special type of detergent to wash them. For example, wool and silk.

If you use too much detergent, you can also build up residue on your clothes. This can happen if you overload your washing machine or don’t rinse your clothes long enough.

Make sure you use the right amount of detergent and choose one that is suitable for your clothes.

This will not stop your clothes from shrinking if they are washed in hot water or on the wrong cycle.

6. Don’t Spin Your Clothes Too Fast

When your washing machine has finished washing your clothes, it will spin them to remove any excess water.

Most clothing can withstand normal spinning speeds. But if your clothes are light or delicate, they may become stretched.

Use the correct spin speed for your clothes and make sure you don’t twist or pull your clothes when taking them out of the washing machine.

When taking woollen jumpers out of the washing machine, support them with your hands. This will stop the jumper from stretching due to the weight of the water.

7. Dry Your Clothes Correctly

Not only can your clothes shrink in the washing machine, they can also shrink in the dryer.

If you dry your clothes at a high temperature, they may shrink or if you over-dry your clothes.

It’s best to air dry your clothes if possible, provided the care label allows it.

Here are some tips for drying your clothes correctly:

• If your jumper says to dry flat, then make sure you do this.
• Don’t dry your clothes at a high temperature.
• Use a lower temperature if your clothes can be dried in the dryer.
• Don’t over-dry your clothes.
• Make sure your clothes are back to their original shape.

As you can see, drying your clothes correctly can play a big part in preventing shrinkage.

If you hang a wet wool jumper, it can stretch the length of the jumper. By drying it flat, you can stop this from happening.

What Fabrics Are Prone to Shrinking?

There are some fabrics that are more likely to shrink than others. Below we will go through each one.

Fabric	Chance of Shrinking	How to Prevent Shrinkage
Cotton	Can shrink if not pre-shrunk	Wash in cold water and dry at a low temperature
Wool	Can shrink if not cared for correctly	Follow the care label
Linen	Can shrink if washed in hot water	Wash in cold water and dry at a low temperature
Rayon/Viscose	Can shrink	Follow the care label; some viscose should be hand washed or dry cleaned
Silk	Depends on the garment	Follow the care label
Polyester	Unlikely to shrink	Avoid overheating
Denim	Can shrink depending on how it’s made	Wash in cold water and avoid over-drying

Cotton

Cotton is a fabric that is used on most clothing, from T-shirts to kurtas and shirts.

Although cotton can shrink, it usually isn’t by a lot.

By washing your cotton clothing in cold water and drying it correctly, you can prevent it from shrinking.

Wool

Wool is another fabric that can shrink if washed incorrectly.

If your wool clothing gets wet and is agitated too much, it can feel. This can cause your clothes to shrink.

Only wash your wool clothing in the washing machine if the care label states it can be machine washed.

Linen

Linen is a popular fabric to wear during the summer months.

Similar to cotton, linen can shrink if washed incorrectly.

Make sure you wash your linen clothing in cold water and dry it at a low temperature.

Rayon and Viscose

Rayon and viscose can be tricky to wash.

They can shrink and lose their shape when washed in the washing machine.

Always follow the care label when washing your rayon and viscose clothing.

Read more about different types of fabric here.

How to Unshrink Your Clothes

If you have accidentally shrunk your clothes, there may be ways you can bring them back to their original size.

Although this may not always be possible.

If your clothes are machine washable, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your clothes can be washed in water.
2. Fill a basin with cool or warm water. Place your shrunken clothes in the water. Leave for 15 minutes.
3. Squeeze out any excess water. Do not rub or twist your clothes.
4. Gently mould your clothes back to their original size.
5. Leave your clothes to dry. If your jumper or knitwear allows it, dry it flat.

Although this may help your clothes go back to their original size, it is not guaranteed.

Some clothes cannot be unshrunk once they have felt or lost their shape.

Make sure you don’t pull on your clothes too much as this can cause damage.

Mistakes That Can Cause Your Clothes to Shrink

Even if you use the correct detergent, there are still mistakes you can make when washing your clothes.

Here are some common mistakes that can cause your clothes to shrink:

• Not using the correct water temperature for each fabric.
• Washing delicate clothes on a heavy-duty cycle.
• Not checking if your clothes are hand wash only or dry clean only.
• Using too much heat in the dryer.
• Over-drying your clothes.
• Not checking your care label before washing your clothes.
• Pulling on your clothes when they are wet.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can help your clothes last longer.

When to Dry Clean Your Clothes

There are some clothes that should be dry cleaned.

If your clothes are made from wool, are delicate or have intricate designs, they may need to be dry cleaned.

If your clothes say dry clean only on the label, then it’s best to take them to a professional.

By dry cleaning your clothes, you can avoid them shrinking.

At mr. blue, you can learn more about our dry cleaning service.

Not all fabrics will need to be dry cleaned, but if your clothes say dry clean only, it is best to have them cleaned professionally.

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you can prevent your clothes from shrinking in the washing machine.

Make sure you use cold water when washing your clothes and dry them correctly.

Each fabric will need to be washed differently, so make sure you read the care label on your clothes.

By washing your clothes correctly, you can help them last longer.

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