Your garments may be shrinking in the wash for a variety of reasons. Fiber content, excess moisture, heat, and agitation are all examples.
Fiber content — Some natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, are prone to shrinkage more than others. Wool fibers have scales on them, which mesh together when they come into touch with heat and moisture, causing garments to shrink. This is called felting shrinkage. Cotton and wool can also absorb a lot of water, which can cause your clothes to start shrinking.
Excess moisture – Natural textiles such as cotton, linen, and silk are susceptible to a phenomenon called relaxation shrinkage. This occurs when these absorbent fibers are exposed to water, causing the fibers to swell and the garment’s overall size to shrink.
Heat and agitation – Consolidation shrinkage can occur when hot water is combined with agitation from the washer and dryer. Fibers that have been tightly woven and stretched out during the manufacturing process release this tension and return to their natural, smaller and shorter shape under these conditions. This is the most common type of garment shrinkage.
Clothing shrinkage is caused by a number of factors, including water temperature, fabric, and heat exposure. Before you make any changes to your laundry regimen, you should first understand why this is happening.
How to Prevent Your Clothes from Shrinking
You must take preventative measures before the first wash to avoid any shrinkage. There is nothing that can be done to restore a garment once it has shrunk.
Always Read Labels!
These guidelines were provided by the manufacturer to help you get the most wear and fit out of your favorite items. Have faith in their method!
Wash Garments by Hand
Wash it yourself if you want to go the old school method. While this procedure is time-consuming, it can save you money by reducing the friction and heat exposure that most washers and dryers are doing to your clothes.
Wash in Cold Water
Cool settings are the least likely to cause fit or shrink concerns with your garments, so it should be your default washing method for most items.
Invest in a Drying Rack
Dryers are useful, but the extended heat exposure can harm your clothes over time. Hanging your garments to dry produces little to no damage and is more environmentally friendly than using the tumble dryer. This is also necessary for any synthetics or delicate components.
How to Unshrink Your Clothes
Don’t worry if you’ve accidently shrunk your favorite piece of clothing; there’s a simple procedure you can do to undo the damage. Send it to a dry cleaner for expert cleaning if at all possible. Dry cleaners have the necessary equipment and heat settings to return items to their previous state.
Here are some pointers if you’re doing it on your own. Add a capful of baby shampoo to a sink or tub of lukewarm water. Allow your item to soak in the water for around five minutes. This allows the fibers to be relaxed.
After that, gently squeeze the clothing to eliminate excess water without rinsing it. To absorb any excess moisture, roll the clothing in a towel. Finally, take a clean towel and lay the clothing on it. Allow it to air dry after reshaping it to its original dimensions.
