How can you stop clothes from shrinking in the wash?

Question

Everytime I wash my clothes they always seem to shrink. It doesn't matter what it is or the fabric but they almost always shrink. Does washing them on cold help? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Make sure that you read the washing instructions on the label and follow them, especially if it says hand wash or dry clean only.  I wash most of my clothes in cold water and then put them in the dryer on low heat for about 5 minutes or just long enough to release the wrinkles. Then I hang them to finish drying. Hanging shirts inside- out helps reduce hanger marks on the shoulders or you can lay them flat to dry on a clean oven rack.

Answer 2

I do cold water and low heat or delicate in the dyer or you could always hang dry it to, but that takes a while to dry.

Answer 3

Well,The same thing happens to me.... when we wash we don't dry them if they will shrink maybe wash on cold or hand wash them.

Use everything you need when you hand wash.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

hot water shrinks fabrics. the dryer does the same.  wash on cold and hang to dry.

Answer 6

By using your favorite laundry detergent and washing them in cold water and dry them on low heat.

Answer 7

dry your clothes on a lower heat setting and take them out before they are completely dry and let them air dry on a drying rack.  

Answer 8

Heat in the wash water can shrink cotton but also any agitation will cause shrinkage in some cottons. Washing in cold will stop most items from shrinking but also hanging everything to dry instead of using a dryer.