Clothes shrinkage after washing is common, but by following some tips, it can be returned to normal.

In a report published by the British newspaper "Theguardian", Lucien Twente said that there is no magic way to treat clothing shrinkage, but there are some steps that can help you avoid falling into this problem in the future.

the reasons

According to textile expert Rebecca Van Amber, all fabrics shrink because of the way they're made.

When threads are passed through machines and turned into fabric, they are stretched, regardless of whether they are woven or knitted.

"When we wash the fabric, the water becomes like a lubricant, allowing the threads to stretch, sometimes stretching to the point that they don't return to their normal position," she says.

Clothes eventually shrink because the threads shrink and become shorter than they were, and Van Amber explains that this applies to different fabrics because shrinkage "has nothing to do with the fibres, it's about the type of machine it's made on."

Woolen clothes shrink due to the presence of scales on their surface that react to heat, humidity and the washing machine (Al-Jazeera)

wool and polyester

Woolen garments shrink due to scales on the surface of the wool that react to heat, moisture, and the washing machine.

Van Amber explains that the scales rise and move, causing them to "stick together and intertwine, and thus shrink and become very small" and the contraction occurs.

Most wool garments have been treated with a so-called anti-shrink technology, which means they can be safely machine washed.

As for polyester, it is supposed to not shrink like natural fibers, because polyester threads are made very long, which means that the thread does not warp like cotton, wool or linen have shorter fibers.

This makes "synthetic fibers more stable because the fibers are so long and there isn't much room for shrinkage," Van Amber says.

Using an iron to press the fabrics with a little steam and leave them stretched out until they cool down, eliminating shrinkage (communication sites)

Steam and ironing

According to LTC Worldwide Laundry Expert Steve Anderton, a professional cleaning agent can untangle clothes by using steam at high temperatures.

At home, it is preferable to turn the garment from the inside out and use an iron to press the fabric with a little steam, and keep the piece stretched out until the cloth cools.

But Van Amber explains that the use of steam or an ironing board does not apply to woolen garments.

When washing clothes, do not use the hot cycle of the washer or dryer (Pixabe).

Important Tips

If you're concerned about clothes shrinking, here are some tips:

  • Do not use the hot cycle in the washer or dryer.

    Wash cold and dry clothes on a clothesline.

  • Choose a front loading washing machine.

    "A top-loading, medium-motor washer does more damage to fabrics than a front-loader, which is more water-efficient and saves on clothes," Van Amber says.

  • Expect a few centimeters of shrinkage in new clothes, but if a piece of clothing has shrunk by more than 5%, it may be a manufacturing defect.

  • Buying used or old clothes.

    "Old clothes have been washed several times, so they won't shrink," Van Amber points out.