Doing Laundry: This Is How to Prevent Clothes From Shrinking

Let’s face it—washing clothes can be a hassle. Whether you’re forced to dry-clean certain materials or work to remove a pesky oil stain, it can be a chore to keep your favorite pieces clean.

However, when a favorite clothing item shrinks, there’s little you can do to reverse it. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to prevent clothes from shrinking in the first place.

But are there helpful laundry tips that can prevent your clothes from becoming doll-sized after a handful of washes?

We’re here to fill you in. Keep reading below to learn how to wash clothes and prevent them from shrinking once and for all!

Read the Tags

Many of us cut the tags out of our clothes as soon as we get them—those things can itch! However, if you plan on removing the tag, make sure you read it before getting rid of it.

On the tag, you’ll often find washing instructions. At the very least, you’ll be able to read the materials used. This is important because plenty of fabrics are susceptible to shrinking, such as wool, cotton, and polymer. These days, you can often find pre-shrunk cotton shirts, which eliminates the problem at once.

Wash Them Carefully

While this article isn’t meant to teach you how to do laundry, it is meant to encourage you to be more mindful of your clothes-washing habits. Most of us toss our clothes into the washer, turn it to the default wash setting, and forget about it.

However, shrinkable materials often need more careful treatment. For example, you may need to wash certain fabrics, like wool and cashmere, by hand to avoid putting stress on them. The clothing tags also often specify how cold or warm the water should be and which cycle is best.

Generally, shrinkable materials are best washed with cold water to prevent shrinking. However, delicate cycles are ideal for clothes prone to shrinking, and they often fair better in mesh bags for delicates.

If you’re still struggling to find the perfect settings for your clothes, consider consulting professionals. Laundry services can be miracle workers when it comes to properly washing your clothes—read more here to learn why it might be the right choice for you.

Dry Them Lightly

When learning how to prevent clothes from shrinking, you have to understand both the washing and drying basics. The two main things that cause shrinkage are heat and agitation. Based on that, you can see why a dryer set to high heat can negatively affect shrinkable materials.

The best way to dry shrinkable clothes is by air-drying them. Whether it’s on a clothesline or indoor drying rack, the lack of heat and tumbling motion will prevent your clothes from shrinking in on themselves. If you can’t avoid using your dryer, use low heat or a heatless tumble setting.

How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking and Enjoy Your Wardrobe

It’s heartbreaking watching a favorite clothing item shrink after several washes. To keep your clothes in tip-top shape, it’s important to wash them properly and avoid conditions that lead to shrinking. With the guide above, you’ll have no trouble learning how to prevent clothes from shrinking!

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