Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them (swinburne.edu.au)

Article summary

Clothes shrink in the wash due to the natural crinkled state of textile fibers, which can be straightened and aligned during manufacturing, but may return to their original shape when exposed to water and heat. Understanding the science of textile fibers can help prevent shrinkage and potentially rescue garments after a laundry accident. The article explains that common textile fibers, such as cotton and linen, are made from plants and have irregular and crinkled shapes that can cause shrinkage. By knowing how textiles are made, individuals can take steps to prevent shrinkage and care for their clothes properly.

Main themes

• Clothing shrinkage
• Textile science
• Laundry care
• Fabric manufacturing
• Clothing maintenance

What commenters say

• Some commenters believe that clothes can be 'unshrunk' by soaking them in a solution of hair conditioner and water, while others suggest that this method is not effective.
• A few individuals think that buying clothes slightly oversized and letting them shrink down to the right size is a good way to avoid shrinkage issues.
• Others argue that clothes labels are too conservative with their washing instructions and that most clothes can be washed and dried on normal settings without shrinking.
• Some people believe that modern dryers and manufacturing processes have improved to reduce shrinkage, while others claim that shrinkage still occurs, especially with certain types of fabrics.
• There is a debate about the effectiveness of different laundry techniques, such as washing clothes inside out and air-drying them, in preventing shrinkage and extending the life of clothes.
• A few commenters think that the problem of shrinkage is not with the clothes themselves, but with the person's body changing size over time, causing the clothes to appear shrunk.