How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking? On Purpose
When you want to put on your best clothes for a party or event, all you get out of the dryer are pieces of shrunk clothes. You can't help but complain, "How to shrink clothes?" Luckily, you've come across this article that will help you with that worry!
How to prevent clothes from shrinking?
Read on to learn more useful facts about clothes shrinking.
What Causes Clothes to Shrink?
First, it's important to understand why some clothes shrink in the dryer before "How to prevent clothes from shrinking".
Clothes absorb water during the washing process, causing the fibers to expand. When these swollen fibers are subjected to high temperatures and mechanical action in the dryer, they may not fully return to their original state, which can cause clothes to shrink in size. This is especially true for cotton, linen, denim, or wool fabrics.
How to Shrink Clothes in the Wash?
Why does everyone's clothing shrink so easily? Is it just the fabric?
No, it's not! You must be doing something else wrong.
Here are some of the mistakes that often lead to shrink clothes in the wash:
1. Choose a high temperature for washing: High temperatures can accelerate the expansion and contraction of fibers, thus increasing the possibility of shrinking clothes.
2. Long soaking time: Long soaking time allows the clothes to absorb water fully and increases the tension between fibers, which helps shrinkage in the subsequent process.
3. Strong scrubbing and wringing: Strong scrubbing and wringing can increase the friction and squeeze between the clothing's fibers, which can help promote shrinkage.
4. Drying at high temperatures in the dryer: Drying at high temperatures can further accelerate the shrinkage process.
How many of the above mistakes have you made? To evaluate the method's efficacy and hazards, test it on the garment's lining or bottom.
How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking?
Having learned the basics about clothes shrinking, let's go back to the center of this article: How to prevent clothes from shrinking?
Put the following tips to good use!
Step 1: Understand the material of clothes
The first step in preventing clothes from shrinking is to follow the washing instructions on the care label. Check the care label before washing and buying new clothes, so you know what to expect.
You can buy some high-quality garments. Our 100% cotton garments can withstand hundreds of washes more comfortably. Quality cotton isn't always easy to find. But when you shop at Fioboc, you can easily find high-quality cotton clothing. Of course, you'll also find some garments that resist wrinkles. It is a great option to avoid shrinkage of your clothes.
Step 2: Control the washing conditions
1. Water temperature control
Avoid using hot or high-temperature water to wash clothes. Using cold or lukewarm water (usually no more than 35℃) is recommended. Washing at a high temperature will easily destroy the fiber structure of clothes and lead to shrinkage.
2. Detergent selection
Choose detergents suitable for clothes and avoid using strong alkaline detergents, which may damage the fibers of the clothes and increase the risk of shrinkage.
3. Washing Method
Hand wash: Hand washing is the best choice for clothes prone to shrinkage. It involves gently rubbing the clothes and avoiding hard rubbing.
Machine washing: If using a washing machine, choose a gentle washing program and avoid high-speed spinning and strong agitation. You can also turn the clothes over for washing to minimize the risk of wear and tear and shrinkage.
Step 3: Choose a tumble-dry or air-dry setting
Using your dryer's tumble dry or air dry mode minimizes wear and tear on fabric fibers, which prevents shrinkage. The garment care label will provide the optimal temperature and dryer setting to help avoid shrinkage.
⚠Over-drying and prolonged drying at high temperatures can damage fabrics and cause shrinkage. Opt for natural drying whenever possible. Lay your clothes flat or hang them in a ventilated area to dry, avoiding direct sunlight and hot environments.
Step 4: Treating shrunken clothes
If the clothes have shrunk, try using an iron to set the shape of the clothes. Lay the garment flat and iron it at the right temperature to bring it back to its original shape and size. Please note, however, that this method may not work for all types of clothing and shrinkage situations.
Does Cold Water Shrink Clothes?
Cold water does not directly cause clothes to shrink. Shrinkage is mainly related to the clothes' material, the detergent's composition, and the way the clothes are washed.
Does Hot Water Shrink Clothes?
Hot water does have the potential to cause clothes to shrink. In addition to shrinkage, hot water may cause color fading, especially in dark and brightly colored clothes. The fiber strength of clothes may be weakened under high temperatures, making them susceptible to damage by tearing or stretching, which may cause the clothes to break.
In the case of specially treated garments (e.g., prints, embroideries, etc.), hot water may cause the adhesive to deteriorate, affecting the overall aesthetics and durability of the garment.
How to Reverse Shrinking Clothes?
For some fabrics, you can reverse shrinking by soaking clothes in warm water, adding a few tablespoons of conditioner, stretching, and air drying. If clothes shrink, do the following:
1. Fill the sink with warm water and two tablespoons of conditioner.
2. Soak the garment for about 30 minutes.
3. Remove the garment and wring out as much water as possible.
4. Put it on a towel and roll it up to get rid of the extra water.
5. Unroll the towel and stretch the garment as far as possible.
6. Let it air dry.
How to Dry Clothes without Shrinking?
You can dry clothes at a low temperature or naturally. For example, you can dry down clothes at about 60°C and wool clothes at about 50°C.
How Can I Shrink a Shirt?
You must remember only a few things: wash at a high temperature, dry, and use a shrinking agent or alkaline laundry detergent.
Will Clothes Shrink in the Washer or the Dryer?
Material and washing methods affect the likelihood of garment shrinkage in the washer. Depending on the drying temperature and material, clothes shrink more in the dryer.
What Types of Fabrics Tend to Shrink?
Cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp are among the fabrics that tend to shrink. Fabrics made from natural fibers are more likely to shrink than clothes made from synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester. However, spandex shrinks in the dryer. For this reason, most athleisure companies recommend air-drying clothes.
Conclusion
Do you know "How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking" after read this article?Proper washing and care methods are key to preventing clothes from shrinking. These include choosing the right water temperature, following the washing instructions on the clothing label, avoiding high-temperature drying, and air drying naturally.
It's also good to know some "how to shrink clothes" tips, just in case. This way, we can keep our clothes in their original shape and adjust them when needed so that they fit better and last longer.
