How to Prevent Shrinking Clothes in Dryer & Washer

Stop shrinkage in cotton, wool, denim, rayon, and more. Learn the exact wash and dry settings, what fabrics need, and how to rescue clothes that already shrank. clothes shrinking after washing machine

If your favorite shirt came out smaller or your sweater suddenly fits a child, you are not alone. Shrinking happens when heat, moisture, and mechanical action change a fabric’s structure. The good news is you can prevent most shrinkage with the right cycle, temperature, and drying method. Use this guide to set up your washer and dryer correctly, choose the best care for each fabric, and try proven ways to unshrink items that already tightened up.

Quick start. How to stop clothes from shrinking today

Sort by fabric. Keep animal fibers like wool and cashmere separate from cotton, linen, and synthetics.
Use cold water and the delicate or gentle cycle for anything prone to shrink.
Choose low heat or air dry in the dryer. Better yet, hang or flat dry sweaters and delicate knits.
Remove items while slightly damp. Smooth, shape, and finish drying flat or on a rack.
Follow the garment care label symbols. When in doubt, go colder and gentler.

Why clothes shrink

Heat relaxes and then tightens fibers as they dry. High dryer heat is the number one cause of shrinkage.
Moisture and agitation make fibers move and interlock. That is why heavy agitation can shrink or felt wool.
Fiber memory returns yarns to a shorter, tighter state. This is common with cotton and wool after the first few washes.

Washer and dryer settings to prevent shrinking

Setting	Recommendation	Why it helps
Water temperature	Cold for most everyday loads. Warm only for sturdy items that do not shrink.	Cold minimizes fiber relaxation and dye bleed that can come with heat.
Wash cycle	Delicate or gentle for shrink-prone fabrics. Normal for towels and sturdies.	Lower agitation means less fiber distortion.
Spin speed	Medium for knits and delicates. High for denim and towels.	Very high spin can distort knits. Medium leaves clothes damp enough to shape.
Dryer temperature	Low heat or air only. Avoid high heat for cotton knits and animal fibers.	Lower exit temperatures limit thermal shrink.
Dry time	Stop while slightly damp and finish by air drying.	Prevents over-drying which locks in shrinkage.

Fabric-by-fabric shrink risk and care

Fabric	Shrink risk	Best wash	Best dry	Notes
Cotton and cotton blends	Medium to high	Cold, gentle	Low heat or hang	Pre-shrunk helps but can still tighten with high heat.
Wool, cashmere, merino	High	Cold hand wash or wool cycle	Flat dry only	Agitation plus heat can felt fibers permanently.
Rayon and viscose	High	Cold, delicate in mesh bag	Lay flat or hang	Weak when wet. Do not wring. Expect some growth or shrink.
Linen	Medium	Cold, gentle	Air dry, steam to relax	Can tighten in the first wash. Steam to recover size.
Polyester, nylon, spandex	Low	Cold or warm, normal	Low heat or air	Less shrink but can warp at high heat. Watch for melting.
Denim	Medium	Cold, inside out	Low heat or hang	Expect 1 to 3 percent shrink in raw denim after first wash.

Care label basics that matter

Know your fabric care symbols so you can match wash and dry to the garment.
Fiber content tells the story. Animal fibers and cellulosics like rayon are most sensitive to heat and agitation.
Pre-shrunk helps, but always use low heat and gentle methods to keep the fit you bought.

How to unshrink clothes

Cotton tee rescue

Fill a sink with lukewarm water. Add a teaspoon of hair conditioner or gentle fabric conditioner.
Soak 10 minutes. Gently stretch the fabric underwater to relax fibers.
Press out water. Do not wring.
Lay flat on a towel and gently stretch to original dimensions. Pin or weight edges if needed. Air dry.

Wool or cashmere sweater rescue

Use cold water with a small amount of wool wash.
Soak briefly. Support the sweater fully when lifting. No twisting.
Lay flat on a towel. Block to shape by easing seams and measuring against a similar garment.
Dry flat away from heat. Steam lightly to relax if needed, without pressing down.

Smart laundry habits that prevent shrinkage

Sort by weight and fabric. Heavy towels beat up light knits which increases shrink risk.
Mesh bags protect delicate items from tangling and stretching.
Use the right detergent. High efficiency detergent at the measured dose reduces residue and stiffness.
Service your dryer. A clogged vent runs hotter and longer. See our guide to cleaning a dryer vent.
Handle early. Remove clothes promptly. Shake out and smooth seams to set the shape while cooling.
Air dry when possible. Racks and flat-dry mats are your best friend for sweaters and knits.

When to use the dryer and when to skip it

Use the dryer on low heat for denim, sturdy cottons, and sportswear if you are short on time. Stop when slightly damp and finish by air.
Skip the dryer for wool, cashmere, rayon, viscose, embellished garments, and anything labeled dry clean only.

Special tips for sewing and alterations

Prewash fabric before sewing cotton or knit garments to remove first-wash shrink.
Buy pre-shrunk when possible and still treat with low heat to protect the finish.

FAQ

Do dryers shrink clothes

Yes. High heat combined with tumbling and low moisture is the most common cause of shrinkage. Use low heat or air only and stop while items are slightly damp.

Does cold water prevent shrinking

Cold wash significantly reduces shrinkage compared to warm or hot. Combine cold water with gentle agitation for best results.

What fabrics shrink the most

Wool, cashmere, rayon, and cotton jersey are most prone. Polyester and nylon shrink less but can deform under high heat.

How do I read laundry symbols

Follow the wash basin, triangle, square, and iron icons on the label. See the Government of Canada guidance on textile labelling and care symbols.

Is dry cleaning safer for shrink-prone clothes

Usually yes for wool suits, delicate dresses, and structured garments. For everyday knits, gentle home care often works if you air dry.

Professional help for washer or dryer issues

Faulty temperature sensors, stuck heater relays, or a blocked dryer vent can run a machine too hot which increases shrinkage and even damage. If cycles never end or the dryer runs hotter than settings, schedule washer repair or dryer repair. We serve the Greater Toronto Area and nearby regions.

Service areas

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