Why does cotton shrink?
Learning the dos and don’ts of fabric care can help keep your family’s wardrobe in good shape, and understanding cotton is no exception. Cotton fibers loosen and swell as they’re washed or heated, then absorb water and shrink as they dry, tightening the fabric. Hot water, agitation in the washer and dryer heat can all make shrinking worse.
Read on to learn more about which laundry habits contribute to shrinking. Discover how to help prevent shrinking and possibly unshrink affected clothes, then get tips for washing cotton clothing.
Does 100% cotton shrink every time you wash it?
Cotton typically shrinks the most during its first wash, but it can still shrink a bit more if it's exposed to high heat over time. Some clothing manufacturers pre-wash their cotton clothes before they hit the rack try and alleviate this issue. You can help minimize any future shrinking by sticking to the care tag instructions.
How much does cotton shrink?
How much your cotton clothes shrink ultimately depends on how they were treated during the manufacturing process, the fabric’s weave and how they’re cleaned at home. Preshrunk cotton typically shrinks around 2% to 5% when you wash it, but untreated, non-preshrunk cotton can still shrink up to around 20%, depending on the garment.
Cotton fibers are often blended with synthetic fabrics like polyester, rayon or spandex to create clothing that’s less susceptible to shrinking, so you can worry less when washing cotton blends.
How to unshrink a cotton shirt
You may not be able to restore clothes to their original size and shape, but warm water with conditioner mixed in might help relax the fibers so you can stretch and reshape them. Follow the steps below to help try to unshrink clothes.
1. Soak in water and conditioner mixture
Fill a sink with lukewarm water and mix in two tablespoons of conditioner. Add your shrunken garment. Let the garment soak for 30 minutes.
2. Remove excess water
Gently wring out your garment, then lay it out on a towel and roll it up to remove excess water.
3. Gently stretch clothing
Unroll the towel, then gradually stretch out the clothing. Once you’ve stretched it to your desired shape, consider using heavy items to hold the clothing in place as it dries.
Explore Whirlpool® Washers and Dryers
Whirlpool® Washers and Dryers have the features you need to care for your delicate fabrics. The Cold Wash Cycle on select models adjusts wash actions and time, using gentle temperatures to help protect fabrics. Advanced Moisture Sensing on select dryers offers added protection against overdrying, as three sensors detect both moisture and temperature and adjust drying time accordingly.
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