How to Effectively Prevent Clothes from Shrinking: Expert Advice and Insider Tips
When you buy new clothes, you want to keep them looking new for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges in maintaining the quality of your clothes is preventing them from shrinking in the wash.
In this post, we’ll go over how to effectively prevent clothes from shrinking, as well as insider tips from clothing experts on how to extend the life of your clothes.
Also read: How to Keep Your Needles Rust-Free in 5 simple ways: Expert Advice
Understanding How Clothes Shrink
Before we dive into prevention methods, it’s important to understand why clothes shrink in the first place. Clothes can shrink due to a variety of factors, including:
Heat – High temperatures can cause the fibers in clothes to contract, which can lead to shrinking. This is why it’s important to pay attention to the temperature settings on your washer and dryer.
Agitation – Clothes that are agitated too much in the wash can also lead to shrinking. This is why it’s important to sort your clothes properly before washing.
Fabric type – Certain types of fabrics are more prone to shrinking than others. For example, wool, silk, and cotton can all shrink easily if not cared for properly.
Now that you understand the causes of shrinking, let’s go over the best practices for preventing it.
Tips for drying clothes
How you dry your clothes can also impact whether or not they shrink. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Air-dry delicate fabrics like silk and wool to prevent damage.
Use a low heat setting on your dryer for heavier fabrics like denim and towels.
Remove clothes from the dryer while they’re still slightly damp to prevent over-drying and shrinking.
Insider Tips from Clothing Experts
We talked to some clothing experts to get their top tips for preventing clothes from shrinking. Here’s what they had to say:
Pay attention to the care label
One of the most important things you can do to prevent clothes from shrinking is to pay attention to the care label.
This will give you important information about how to care for each item of clothing, including what temperature to wash it in and whether or not it’s safe to put in the dryer.
Avoid hot water
According to Nicole Sassaman, a wardrobe stylist and owner of her eponymous brand, hot water is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to shrinking clothes.
She recommends using cold water instead, which is gentler on fabrics and can help prevent shrinking.
Don’t overstuff the washer or dryer
Overstuffing the washer or dryer can lead to excess agitation, which can cause clothes to shrink. To prevent this, make sure you’re not cramming too many clothes into each load.
This will give your clothes more room to move around and reduce the risk of shrinking.
Consider using a laundry bag
If you’re worried about delicate fabrics getting damaged in the wash, consider using a laundry bag. This will protect them from excess agitation and help prevent shrinking.
Other Ways to Extend the Life of Your Clothes
Preventing clothes from shrinking is just one part of keeping them looking new. Here are some other tips to help extend the life of your clothes:
Avoid direct sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause fabrics to fade and lose their color. To prevent this, try to hang your clothes to dry in a shaded area or inside your home.
Store clothes properly
How you store your clothes can also impact their lifespan. Make sure you’re folding them properly and storing them in a cool, dry place.
Avoid hanging heavy items like coats on flimsy hangers, as this can stretch out the fabric over time.
Mend small tears and holes
If you notice a small tear or hole in one of your favorite items of clothing, don’t toss it out just yet. With a little bit of thread and a needle, you can easily mend the hole and extend the life of your clothing.
The Environmental Impact of Shrinking Clothes
Throwing out clothes that have shrunk can be bad for the environment. When clothes end up in landfills, they can release harmful chemicals and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
By taking steps to prevent shrinking and extend the life of your clothes, you can help reduce your environmental impact.
How to Effectively Prevent Clothes from Shrinking
Shrinking can be caused by a variety of factors, including heat, agitation, and certain types of fabrics.
We’ll take you on how to effectively prevent clothes from shrinking.
1 Sort clothes by color, fabric, and wash cycle
One of the most important things you can do to prevent clothes from shrinking is to sort them properly before washing.
You should sort clothes by color (to prevent bleeding), fabric type (to prevent damage), and wash cycle (to prevent excess agitation).
For example, you should wash delicate fabrics like silk and wool separately from heavier fabrics like denim and towels.
2 Choose the right temperature and wash cycle for different fabrics
Different fabrics require different washing temperatures and cycles.
For example, delicate fabrics like silk and wool should be washed in cold water on a delicate cycle, while heavier fabrics like denim can be washed in warm or hot water on a normal cycle.
Be sure to check the care label on each item of clothing before washing to ensure you’re using the right settings.
3 Use fabric softener and vinegar to prevent shrinking
Fabric softener and vinegar can both help prevent shrinking by relaxing the fibers in clothes. Simply add a capful of fabric softener to your wash, or add a half-cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
This will help keep clothes soft and prevent them from shrinking.
Conclusion
Preventing clothes from shrinking is an important part of keeping them looking new.
By following the best practices outlined in this post and taking advice from clothing experts, you can ensure that your clothes stay in great condition for years to come.
And by taking steps to extend the life of your clothes, you can help reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.
