How to Prevent Clothes From Shrinking, According to Laundry Experts

You’ve just pulled out a load of fluffy, warm laundry from your dryer only to realize that one of your favorite garments has undergone some serious shrinkage. In order to avoid this fate happening again, we reached out to laundry professionals for their best tips on how to not shrink clothes—and the advice is surprisingly simple. Find out which fabrics are most prone to shrinking, plus how to fix clothes that have shrunk in the wash. 

Why Do Some Fabrics Shrink?

While some textiles don’t shrink much, others have a propensity to shrink at the slightest amount of miscare. Fabrics more prone to shrinkage are those made of loosely woven natural fibers. 

“Vigorous motion and high temperatures in washing and drying cycles constrict these natural fibers and distort materials, resulting in shrunken clothing,” explains Haven Polich, a laundering expert for ASKO Americas. 

Fabrics Most Prone to Shrinking 

• Cotton (including denim and muslin)
• Wool (including flannel and cashmere) 
• Linen 
• Silk 
• Bamboo 
• Viscose
• Rayon 

Shrinking happens because the fibers of these organic materials tend to be sensitive to high temperatures, which causes the threads to curl up and move closer together, says Carmen Lopez, laundry expert.

Fabrics Least Likely to Shrink

• Nylon
• Polyester
• Spandex

These are human-made textiles that are tightly woven and have undergone heavy processing and are thus more resistant to shrinking.

How to Prevent Clothes From Shrinking 

Follow these tips for laundering even the most delicate clothing to avoid shrinkage.

Always Check the Care Label

The key to learning how not to shrink clothes is to always default to the label instructions. Found on the inside of the garment, this tag indicates the best method for washing, drying, and ironing to ensure your garment stays in pristine shape. 

"The most common reason why clothes lose their shape and beauty is because we wash them too often or in the wrong way," explains Frej Lewenhaupt, textile expert and CEO of Steamery. "It's always important to check the care label before washing a garment, as some materials are more susceptible to shrinkage and losing their shape and luster if not washed properly."

Both symbols and written instructions are often included on the garment’s tag, and the instructions can get pretty specific. Follow them closely, and shrinkage or damage won’t be as much of an issue. By washing your clothing according to the label, sorting them properly, and using a suitable laundry detergent, they will last a much longer time.

Spot Clean Any Stains First 

If you notice a stain on a garment, it’s best to tackle the small area first instead of running it through the wash and hoping for the best. "This will not only help to remove any stubborn stains, but it can also help with the cleaning process when the washer does not have to work as hard to remove stains, and you can choose a more gentle cycle," Lopez says.

Choose a Cooler Water Temperature 

Lewenhaupt says it’s "kinder on your clothes" to wash them in cool or warm water instead of at very high temperatures. This is because hot water often causes unnecessary wear and tear. If you're worried about your clothes not getting clean enough, know that modern laundry detergents contain both enzymes and surfactants that are super effective even at colder temperatures.

"Unless your clothes are heavily soiled or made from more durable textiles, it’s usually good to wash at 85 degrees (30°C)," he says. "This should be your standard option, as it’s a great temperature for washing clothes made of synthetic blends, delicate items, and clothes and fabrics that are not heavily soiled."

The only exception would be if you're washing your garments for hygiene reasons. Lewenhaupt recommends washing intimate garments, such as underwear and bedding, at a higher temperature setting closer to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60°C).

Wash Only as Necessary 

Unless soiled, many garments don’t need to be washed every single time you wear them, including jeans, sweaters, suits or blazers, and some dresses or nicer items that are only worn for short periods of time.

"It is always a good idea to think critically about whether or not you need to wash a garment," Lewenhaupt says. "Today, we wash our clothes way too often, causing them to fade, shrink, and lose their shape."

Ways to Refresh Clothes Between Washes:

• Steaming
• Brushing
• Ironing
• Airing out
• Fabric refreshers
  

Always Follow Drying Instructions  

Shrinking often occurs when a garment is exposed to excessive heat, either in the washing cycle or while tumble drying. Your label's drying instructions will indicate whether the garment can go through a regular dry cycle, if it should be tumble-dried, or if it requires other care like drying flat or line-drying. Take care when line-drying outdoors; leaving clothes outside in the sun for too long can damage, age, and shrink them.

"There are many ways to dry your laundry, but some methods are gentler than others and can prolong the lifespan of your clothes," Lewenhaupt says. "Most garments will last longer and keep their shape if you let them slowly dry on a drying rack or on a hanger. For your knits, you should instead dry them on a flat surface to help them keep their shape."

He adds that tumble drying is not only bad from an energy consumption perspective, but it can also shrink your clothes and harm the textile. For that reason, he recommends only using tumble dry for bed linens and towels. If you prefer to tumble dry, then use tumble dryer balls to help shorten the drying time and remove static.

Does Laundry Detergent Cause Shrinking? 

Generally speaking, laundry products do not cause clothing to shrink. The two biggest factors that contribute to clothing shrinkage are temperature and cycle setting. Polich says that if you stick to avoiding heavy-duty washing cycles, fast spinning modes, and high-temperature washing/drying, your clothes will last much longer. 

That said, some fabrics benefit from using a different detergent and care. "When washing wool, for example, it is very important to keep a low temperature and a suitable laundry detergent that nourishes the wool fibers to minimize the risk for the garment to shrink," adds Lewenhaupt.

Handling Delicate Fabrics to Avoid Shrinkage 

While all clothing requires specific care, it’s especially important to properly handle delicates. When approved for washing at home, these garments typically require cold temperatures and no/low spin. It can also help to place delicates in a mesh laundry bag to further protect them from agitation. 

If the label instructs to dry clean only, it's best to take it to a professional to avoid damaging or shrinking the garment. Dry cleaning only is an indicator that a garment has a high chance of shrinking or damaging in the washer or dryer, Lopez says.

How to Properly Store Clothes to Prevent Shrinking 

Even clothing in storage is potentially susceptible to shrinking. Follow these tips to minimize any damage: 

• Store in temperature-controlled rooms versus an attic or garage. 
• Avoid storing in high humidity areas, like the bathroom. 
• Store in garment boxes or bags to protect garments from the elements and moths/insects. 
• Keep out of the sun, which can cause yellowing, in addition to heat-related shrinkage.

How to Fix Clothes That Have Shrunk 

Dealing with shrunken clothing is frustrating, but hope isn't always lost. For cotton or wool that has shrunk, soak the garment in 1 gallon of lukewarm water with 1/3 cup of standard hair conditioner. After rinsing, gently stretch and reshape the garment and lay it flat to air dry.

For silk, warm up the fabric with a steamer and then gently stretch and reshape. You can also try taking your garment to a professional cleaner to see if they’re able to address the shrinkage.