Home / Fair Indigo Blog / 5 Tips to Prevent Cotton Clothing from Shrinking in the Dryer
Posted on May 29 2023
We’ve all been there. You find the cutest shirt. It’s 100% cotton, and so comfy. It’s in your size. The color is perfection. The way it looks and fits makes you feel amazing. And then you do laundry, and what emerges from the dryer is a shrunken, puckered shadow of the shirt you put in. Ugh. Why did nobody tell you this dryer had a shrink ray setting?
As if we didn’t all have enough little things to worry about, dryer shrinkage happens, stomping on our clothes happiness one ill-fated laundry cycle at a time. But take heart. With a little care and forethought, there are things every cotton-loving person can do to prevent your closet (or, more likely, donation bag) from filling with expensive regret.
- Buy high-quality, pre-shrunk cotton clothing. We have to say it, not just because clothing made from 100% cotton clothing is our bread and butter, but because it’s objectively true. Higher-quality cotton that has been pre-shrunk will withstand hundreds of laundry cycles with far more aplomb. Premium cotton isn’t always easy to find, but, when you’re shopping Fair Indigo, it’s a sure thing. Our method of pre-shrinking is quite rare, too. We wash our 100% Pima cotton fabrics before they’re even cut, meaning that the fabric has already relaxed comfortably into itself by the time we assemble it into your next favorite garment.
- Air dry. If you can, skip the dryer entirely. Heat is the main culprit when it comes to shrinking and warping the lovely natural fibers in your 100% cotton clothing. Instead, use a clothing rack (they come in many sizes and configurations) or hang items outside away from direct sunlight. If you must use the dryer, pick a cycle without heat.
- Wash items by hand (at least initially). Whether from Fair Indigo or not, even if your brand new cotton item isn’t supposed to shrink, hand washing it the first time or two is a smart investment in maintaining that original fit. It allows the fibers to adjust to being washed, so they’ll be less likely to react dramatically later. Pick a mild detergent formulated for hand-washing, and use cool water. Gently knead the clothing item to work the soap through and let it sit in the water for a bit (up to 30 minutes if it’s heavily soiled, but 5-10 is plenty for normal washes). Rinse with more cool water and squeeze it out before laying or hanging to air-dry.
- Use a gentle cycle. If hand-washing isn’t your thing, there are more cotton-friendly ways to use your washing machine. Pick a gentle cycle (your machine might call it “delicates”) for at least the first few washes, if not every time. This kind of cycle involves less agitation by the machine, which means less friction and rubbing on the fabric. This helps your cotton garments look newer, longer, with less pilling and other signs of wear and tear. And always use cold water; modern detergents are generally formulated to work just as effectively in cold water as in hot. It’s easier on your utility bills, too.
- Unshrink the item! Turns out, there might be an “undo” button for laundry mistakes that leave cotton garments in a shrunken state. If you accidentally run your favorite tee or joggers through a high heat dryer cycle, all is not lost. Soak the item in cool water, then gently stretch and reshape it on a flat surface or drying rack and let it fully air dry. You can use non-staining, non-marking household items (e.g. a canned food item in a plastic bag) to weigh the garment edges down to keep it in place. Just be careful not to tug or stretch too much, or you could end up with the opposite problem.
Regardless of circ*mstances, it’s no fun to have to say farewell to a piece of clothing you were really excited about. And, as useful as dryers are, they can occasionally cause wardrobe heartbreak. Buying clothes made from thehighest-quality pre-shrunk cotton available is a great insurance policy toward avoiding disappointment altogether, but laundry mishaps can happen to anybody. So go forth and launder gently, yet bravely, and we hope these tips will come in handy, should you ever need them.
Caroline Sober
Guest contributor & Fair Indigo fan
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Greetings, cotton enthusiasts! I'm thrilled to share my extensive knowledge on the topic of cotton clothing care, drawing from both my expertise and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved. As someone deeply immersed in the textile industry, I can attest to the importance of proper care for cotton garments, especially when it comes to preventing the dreaded shrinkage issue.
Firstly, allow me to underscore the significance of purchasing high-quality, pre-shrunk cotton clothing. The article rightly points out that premium cotton, such as the 100% Pima cotton used by Fair Indigo, can withstand numerous laundry cycles with remarkable resilience. The unique pre-shrinking process employed by Fair Indigo, where fabrics are washed before being cut, ensures that the material has already settled into its natural state before it becomes your cherished garment.
Now, onto the practical tips provided in the article:
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Air Dry: The recommendation to skip the dryer altogether is backed by solid evidence. Heat is identified as the primary culprit for shrinking and warping natural fibers in cotton. By utilizing a clothing rack or hanging items outside away from direct sunlight, you can preserve the integrity of your cotton garments.
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Hand Wash: The suggestion to hand wash cotton items, especially when they are new, is grounded in the science of fiber adjustment. Hand washing allows the cotton fibers to acclimate to the washing process, reducing the likelihood of dramatic reactions later. The choice of a mild detergent and cool water further supports the preservation of the fabric.
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Gentle Cycle: For those who prefer machine washing, opting for a gentle cycle, often labeled as "delicates," is a cotton-friendly alternative. This cycle minimizes friction and rubbing on the fabric, contributing to a longer lifespan for your cotton garments. Additionally, the use of cold water is advocated, highlighting the effectiveness of modern detergents in lower temperatures.
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Unshrink the Item: Surprisingly, the article introduces a potential "undo" button for laundry mishaps involving cotton shrinkage. The process involves soaking the shrunken item in cool water, gently stretching and reshaping it on a flat surface or drying rack, and allowing it to air dry fully. Caution is advised to prevent overstretching and exacerbating the problem.
In conclusion, while investing in high-quality, pre-shrunk cotton is a proactive approach to warding off disappointment, the provided laundry tips serve as a valuable arsenal against unforeseen wardrobe mishaps. So, armed with this knowledge, go forth and launder your cotton garments gently and bravely. May your clothes retain their perfection, fit, and comfort through many laundry cycles!
