Do Dryers Shrink Clothes? Prevention Tips

What can and cannot be dried in a tumble dryer is explained in detail, along with tips on preventing shrinkage.

When you take a load of laundry out of the dryer only to find that your favorite shirt or pair of pants has shrunk so much that you can no longer wear them comfortably, it is beyond frustrating.

You can’t leave your clothes in the washing machine overnight because doing so encourages the growth of mold and mildew, but dryers shrink clothes because of the high temperature.

Our best advice for preventing shrinkage and extending the life of clothing in the dryer has been compiled.

Do Dryers Shrink Clothes?

Clothes can shrink in the dryer. In either scenario, the rapid heating of the clothing is to blame. The dryer’s heated air, the washer’s excessively hot water, or a combination of the two could be the cause of that heat.

Delicate fabrics like silk, lace, and cashmere are generally the ones you should steer clear of tumble drying. It’s also a good idea to exercise caution when handling items made of 100% natural fibers, such as wool, and materials, such as suede, that you’d prefer not to get wet in the first place.

Natural fabrics that are more durable will hold up better in the dryer including cotton, linen, and denim.

The notion of fabric shrinkage is widespread in the clothing industry. There are various kinds of fabrics and each reacts to washing in a different way. The manufacturer should have their fabrics tested before releasing them into the market. Below are the most common questions about shrinking clothes:

Why Do Clothes Shrink in the Dryer?

There are a number of different factors that go into why your clothes “shrink” in the washer and dryer. It largely depends on the kind of material you are cleaning. Still, most clothes that shrink in the wash do it for one of the following reasons:

• They are really returning to their natural size: Several fabrics, including cotton, are actually stretched while being manufactured. The fabric relaxes back into its natural size when heat and extra moisture are applied to it. These appear to be shrinking more than they actually are.
• Too rough a washing cycle can cause scales to tighten: Other types of fabric, such as wool, contain minute scales that can constrict when a lot of heat and motion are applied to them at once. When you take the clothing out of the washer as a result, it will have shrunk.

Even though the mechanism underlying how various fabrics shrink differs, motion and heat are the main contributors to clothing shrinking in the wash.

How Do Different Types of Fabric Shrink?

Technically, not every kind of fabric that seems to shrink actually does so. Some are going through a process called “felting,” while others are simply returning to their natural size. Of course, there are those who are actually shrinking as well.

Below we’ve listed some of the most common types of fabric that shrink in the wash, along with a description of how and why they shrink in the first place:

• Silk: Unfortunately, improper cleaning can cause silk to shrink. Silk fibers become extremely tight as a result of too much water and pressure during the spinning and drying cycles. However, when the heat hits them, they start to constrict themselves.
• Cotton: Cotton is the most well-known material that can shrink when washed. The rapid movement can stretch out the fibers when it is in a spin cycle or is just drying in the dryer. This stretching is relieved and the fabric constricts in on itself when cotton is exposed to too much heat from the air or water in a dryer or washer.
• Wool: Wool is another material that is infamous for shrinking in the washer. In the case of wool, excessively hot, soapy water and motion tighten the fabric’s scales, which contributes to the majority of shrinking.
• Linen: Similar to silk, linen is a very fine fabric that easily shrinks when subjected to excessive heat and moisture. In fact, for the least amount of shrinking, the majority of linens should be hand washed. No matter what water temperature you use to clean them, keep in mind that unless they have been pre-washed, they are expected to shrink a little bit.

How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking in the Dryer?

In the dryer, does polyester shrink? Do low-heat tumble dryers cause shrinkage of clothing? Clothes care can be confusing but we’ll keep it simple: here are our best tips on how not to shrink clothes in the dryer:

• Always start by reading the care label. Certain fabrics should never be tumble dried. Before putting your clothing in the dryer, check the care label to see if it is appropriate.
• Put your washing machine in the cold water setting. 30ºWhen you put the clothing in the dryer, it won’t be too hot, so a temperature of C will work just fine.
• Always use the lowest heat setting when drying your clothes. The likelihood of clothing shrinking only rises with exposure to intense heat.
• Avoid long cycles. These lengthen the time that your clothes will be undergoing the tumble motion.
• Always try to dry your clothes in just one cycle. The fibers will become more irritated if you use the tumble dryer more often.
• As soon as the cycle is complete, always empty your tumble dryer. Then, to keep your clothes in good shape, hang or fold them.

Final Words: Dryers Shrink Clothes

To reduce moisture content, dryers combine heat and rotation. Although different materials respond to heat in various ways, the majority of fabric textiles shrink in hot environments.

When you empty the washing machine, sort your laundry by drying method to prevent your tumble dryer from shrinking items that should be air-dried.

FAQs