Cleaning > LaundryMay 18, 2009

Preventing Clothes from Shrinking

I have been doing laundry for a couple years but always shrink my clothes. Why does this keep happening?

By airtas from NY

Answers

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By
05/24/2009

Its not major shrinkage its like half an inch, usually is 95% cotton do these always shrink no matter what? How much of a difference is tumble dry low to high?

By
05/24/2009

You may be washing clothes that should not be washed - like rayon. some fabrics are dry clean only because of the shrinkage problem. Usually, you can wash those clothes in cold water, by hand, and dry flat. You may be using too hot a water &/or too hot a dryer. NEVER use high heat on your dryer. I guess things like towels are okay on the highest heat, but clothes - never.

I dry all my things, except those that say hang to dry or dry flat, in the dryer, till they are dry, on my medium setting. My clothes do not shrink (I wish I could use that as an excuse - it is me getting bigger! LOL) Some older dryers only have one setting, which may be too hot.

By
05/23/2009

Try to buy only 50/50 Cotton/ Poly, not all cotton which will shrink OR over stretchout when worn. It's unreliable. Follow the suggestions of using cold water and cool air for machine wash/dry. I have been doing this for a year and it truly has made a world of difference all the way around. Good luck.: )

By
05/18/2009

Something is too hot - either the water or the dryer. Wash on cold or warm and if you need to dry in the dryer for wrinkle prevention, do so on low and get them out while still damp...except towels and sheets. You can hang shirts and let them finish drying on the shower rod. Pants will also dry this way.

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