Does cotton shrink?

Learning the do’s and don’ts of fabric care can help keep your family’s wardrobe in good shape, and understanding cotton is no exception. During manufacturing, cotton fibers are stretched under tension. Exposure to water, agitation and dryer heat can cause these fibers to relax and contract, resulting in shrinkage. Hot water, agitation in the washer and dryer heat can all make shrinking worse for some fabrics.

Read on to see how shrinkage can vary across fabric types like 100% cotton, preshrunk cotton and cotton blends and learn more about which laundry habits may contribute to shrinking. Discover how to help prevent shrinking—and possibly try to unshrink affected clothes, then get tips for washing cotton clothing.

Does cotton shrink in the washer or dryer?

Using cool water in the washer and low heat dryer cycles can help protect fibers while helping garments retain their original size.

Cotton clothes like T-shirts, sweaters or dress shirts can shrink in both the washer and dryer if the settings aren’t right. Heat and agitation are the biggest offenders.

Washing in hot water with a heavy cycle can sometimes lead to shrinkage, and drying on high heat only adds to the problem—especially if you tend to overdry your clothes. Opt for a gentler, cold-water wash and low drying heat to help keep your cotton garments in better shape.

How much does cotton shrink by fabric type

How much cotton shrinks can depend on several factors, including how the fabric was treated during manufacturing, how many other fabrics are mixed in with it, its weave and how it’s laundered at home. Water temperature, agitation, dryer heat and overdrying can all play a role. Consult the chart below for some basic guidelines that may help prevent shrinkage in some cases.

Fabric type	Typical shrinkage range	First-wash risk	Care considerations
100% Cotton (untreated)	Can shrink up to around 20%	High	Cold water, Gentle/Delicates cycle; use the Low Heat, Less Dry or Air Dry to help prevent high-temperature shrinkage
Preshrunk cotton	Around 2% to 5% over time	Low	Cold or warm water, Gentle or Normal cycle; tumble dry on Low Heat
Heavy cotton (denim, canvas)	Varies, tends toward higher end without pre-treatment	Moderate to high	Cold or Warm water with Normal or Heavy Duty/Towels cycle (the latter being for maximum water extraction on heavy fabrics). Dry on the More Dry or Very Dry cycle on medium for jeans, towels and sturdier fabrics.
Cotton-polyester blend	Generally less than 100% cotton	Low	Wrinkle Control, Permanent Press or Casual cycle with Warm or Cold water. Tumble dry on Wrinkle Control using Medium Heat.
Cotton-spandex blend	Generally less than 100% cotton	Low	Cold water, Casual or Normal cycle. Tumble dry on Low Heat (High heat can permanently damage spandex elasticity).
Cotton-rayon blend	High shrinkage risk if exposed to heat	Moderate	Cold water, Delicates cycle only. Air drying or line drying is preferred. If using a dryer, select the Delicates Cycle on Extra Low Heat.

Disclaimer: Be sure to check your care label for detailed instructions on washing and drying specific items as ideal washing conditions may vary by garment.

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 to try to alleviate this issue. You can help minimize any future shrinking by sticking to the care tag instructions.

Generally, how much your cotton clothes shrink comes down to three factors: how they were treated during manufacturing, their 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. You may be able to worry less when washing cotton blends as cotton fibers blended with synthetic fabrics like polyester, rayon or spandex are often less susceptible to shrinking.

Can you unshrink cotton?

You may be able to help stretch your garment back to its original size by trying to relax the fibers that tightened up from heat or agitation. Try using some lukewarm water to rehydrate the fibers and a bit of hair conditioner to soften them up, making the fabric flexible again. Always check your care tags first. Read on to discover the step-by-step process for attempting to unshrink cotton clothes.

How to try 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. It is helpful to check your care label before starting because this method may not be suitable for all fabrics.

1. Soak in water and conditioner mixture

Fill a sink with lukewarm water and mix in two tablespoons of conditioner. Hair conditioner or fabric conditioner can both work. The conditioner may help soften the fibers, making the fabric more pliable for reshaping. Add your shrunken garment and let it soak for 30 minutes.

2. Remove excess water

Rather than wringing the garment tightly, which can stretch or distort the fabric, gently squeeze out as much water as you can by hand. Then lay it flat on a towel and roll the towel up around the garment, pressing gently as you go. The towel will help remove excess water.

3. Gently stretch clothing

Unroll the garment and gradually stretch out the clothing. Once you’ve stretched it to your desired shape, consider using heavy items like books or canned goods along the edges to hold the clothing in place as it dries.

Clothes inside of the Removable Delicates Basket in a Whirlpool® Washer

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The first washer with a Removable Delicates Basket

Whirlpool brand's Removable Delicates Basket keeps delicates safe—with gentle agitation and slower spin forces—while regular, everyday loads wash around it. Available soon on select models.

How to help prevent cotton from shrinking

Cotton is loved for its durability, breathability and softness. With the right wash settings and laundry habits, you can help keep your cotton clothes looking and feeling just right.

Every garment has distinct coloration and a unique fabric blend, so always read your clothing’s care tag for specific washing and drying instructions. Check out additional tips for washing and drying cotton fabrics, below.

In the washer:

Use cold water: High temperatures can cause cotton fibers to lose their shape and shrink. Opt for cold water settings to keep your garments properly sized and help vibrant colors last longer.

Pick a Gentle cycle: Use a Gentle or Delicate cycle to help prevent excessive agitation that can damage fibers.

Use a mesh bag: Excessive agitation can damage clothing fibers and make shrinking worse, so consider putting particularly delicate cotton items in a mesh bag before washing.

In the dryer:

Dry with low heat: Drying with low heat, air drying or using a cycle like the Tumble Dry cycle on select Whirlpool^® Dryers can help prevent shrinkage caused by high heat or overdrying.

Opt for air drying: Hanging your cotton clothes on a clothesline or laying them flat on a drying rack is often the safest way to avoid heat damage and preserve the fit of the fabric. You can also use an air only cycle for a result similar to air drying.

Remove your clothes early: If you’re afraid your items might shrink, but their care tags say they are allowed to go in the dryer, you might want to play it extra safe and either run a shorter cycle or stop the dryer about 10 minutes early when clothes are roughly 80% dry. You can then remove finished items and hang the rest to air-dry completely.

Washing cotton FAQs

Whether you are trying to protect a favorite shirt or just building better laundry habits, the answers to these questions can cover some of your most common concerns about washing cotton clothing.

Washing clothes in cold water does not cause shrinkage and can actually help prevent it. While hot water is more likely to cause damage and shrinkage for some fabrics, cold water can help preserve the size and shape of many garments.

The easiest way to tell if cotton is preshrunk is to check the care tag or product label. Garments that have been preshrunk are typically labeled as such. Keep in mind that preshrunk cotton can still experience some minor shrinkage over time.

You may be able to shrink cotton intentionally (for instance, if you bought a shirt that is too large and want to size it down a bit) by washing it in warm or hot water and drying on a higher heat setting. However, results can vary and there's a risk of uneven shrinkage or fiber damage. Always check your care tag first.

Whether to size up depends on the type of cotton, your preferred fit and how you plan to wash and dry the garment. If you expect to use warm settings or mixed loads, sizing up may help compensate for possible shrinkage in some cases. But this isn’t a guarantee, as many garments are made differently and react differently in the wash.

Shop 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.