Will your shirt, sweater, or pants shrink in hot water? Read our article to find out!
Sometimes we shrink clothes on purpose, sometimes we shrink them by accident. Either way, the one thing that is consistent in shrinkage is: hot water.
Continue reading our article to find out how hot water effects your clothes, as well as which types of fabrics shrink the most and other questions like these.
- Will hot water shrink clothes
- Does warm water shrink clothes
- Does washing clothes in hot water shrink them
- Does hot or cold water shrink clothes
Although hot water does have the ability to shrink clothes, it is also great for removing stains as well as killing germs and bacteria.
Table of Contents
Does Hot Water Shrink Clothes?
Hot water will cause shrinkage to clothes made from a variety of different fabrics. Fabrics that will shrink the most in hot water include 100% cotton, silk, wool, linen, and hemp.
Clothes made from natural fibers tend to shrink more than clothing made from synthetic fibers. Garments made from synthetic fibers such as polyester (can you shrink polyester), nylon, and spandex are resistant to shrinkage. This is because synthetic fabrics are treated with a special chemical during production to make them shrink, wrinkle, and sometimes stain resistant.
Heat has the potent ability to shrink clothes, so avoid washing your clothes in hot water or tumble drying them in high heat if you do not want shrinkage to occur.
Your best course of action to make sure your clothes don’t shrink when cleaning them is to take them to a dry cleaner instead. Learn how much dry cleaning costs and how long dry cleaning takes.
1. Fabrics that shrink the most
- Cotton
- Wool
- Linen
- Hemp
- Silk
2. Fabrics that shrink the least
- Polyester
- Nylon
- Spandex
- Acrylic
- Acetate
How To Shrink Clothes
If you are looking to make your clothes tighter or shrink them, the main thing you want to do is use heat. The hotter the environment the garment gets placed into, the more likely it is to shrink.
The best way to shrink clothes is by using the washing machine on the hot water setting, paired with the dryer (learn how to use a dryer properly & how long does a dryer take) on tumble dry settings: tumble dry high & tumble dry medium (tumble dry low will not be hot enough.)
Find out how hot a dryer gets to truly understand how much your fabric may shrink.
If you do not have access to a washing machine and dryer you may instead place your clothes into a pot of boiling hot water to shrink them. Boiling water works great for making waistbands smaller.
If you are looking to shrink a specific clothing item, let us help you.
How To Wash Clothes
Sort your laundry into groups so that white clothes, colored clothes, and dark clothes are washed separately. Check the care labels before beginning to make sure there are no special care requirements. Use the right water temperature and cycle settings to wash your clothes. Choose the cold water and delicate cycle settings if you do not know which presets to use. Use the appropriate laundry detergent, and do not over-pour.
Once finished (how long does a washer take?), air dry your clothes by hanging or laying flat on a drying rack (line dry or dry flat.) Learn all the ways to dry your clothes without a dryer.
To see more information take a look at our detailed step-by-step guides on how to wash clothes.
FAQ
Different fabrics will shrink to a different degree when placed in hot water. 100% cotton may shrink up to 20% of its size if it is not pre-shrunk, whereas a garment made from polyester may not shrink at all. Check your garment’s care label to see what kind of fabric it is made from. As a general rule, natural fabrics will always shrink more than synthetic fabrics.
Hot water shrinks clothes. Cold water does not shrink clothes. Heat is the main requirement to shrink any type of clothing.
Written and reviewed by
Tall Paul
Paul Marlow, standing at an impressive 6'7 (201cm) and weighing 225lb (102kg), is a mental health speaker, fashion expert, and ex-athlete who excels at helping tall men find well-fitting clothing and teaching them how to style it effectively. As a model in the fashion and film industries, Paul shares his expertise in tall men's fashion, offering valuable advice on measurements, tailoring, and alterations. In addition, he founded Never Alone, an organization that provides mental health and therapy inspiration, and started the Mental Growth Newsletter to support those facing mental health challenges, drawing from his own experiences.
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I'm Tall Paul, a recognized expert in the fields of fashion, clothing care, and mental health. With a height of 6'7" (201cm) and a weight of 225lb (102kg), I have firsthand experience navigating the challenges of finding well-fitting clothing, particularly for tall individuals. My background as a mental health speaker, fashion expert, and former athlete has equipped me with a deep understanding of both the physical and psychological aspects of personal well-being.
In the context of the provided article on clothing care, I can assure you of my expertise in this area. The information presented aligns with my knowledge, and I'd like to delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
1. Effects of Hot Water on Clothes: The article correctly asserts that hot water has the potential to cause shrinkage in various fabrics. This is due to the impact of heat on the fibers, especially in natural fabrics like cotton, silk, wool, linen, and hemp. These materials are prone to shrinkage when exposed to hot water.
2. Fabrics Prone to Shrinkage: The article categorizes fabrics based on their susceptibility to shrinkage. Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, and silk tend to shrink the most when exposed to hot water. On the other hand, synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, spandex, acrylic, and acetate are resistant to shrinkage. This resistance is attributed to the special chemical treatment applied during their production.
3. How to Shrink Clothes: The article provides insights into intentionally shrinking clothes, emphasizing the role of heat in this process. The recommended method involves using a washing machine with hot water settings and a tumble dryer. The hotter the environment, the more likely the garment is to shrink. Additionally, the article mentions an alternative method of using boiling water for targeted shrinking, such as making waistbands smaller.
4. Washing Clothes Properly: The article offers practical advice on washing clothes to prevent unwanted shrinkage. Sorting laundry, checking care labels, using the right water temperature, and selecting appropriate cycle settings are highlighted. It emphasizes the importance of using cold water for washing, as hot water is known to shrink clothes.
5. FAQ Section: The FAQ section addresses common questions about clothes shrinking in hot water. It explains that different fabrics will shrink to varying degrees, with natural fabrics shrinking more than synthetic ones. The role of heat in the shrinking process is reiterated, clarifying that hot water, not cold water, causes clothes to shrink.
In conclusion, my expertise in both fashion and mental health positions me to validate and expand upon the concepts presented in the article on clothing care. The information provided aligns with my knowledge base, and I'm confident in its accuracy and applicability to real-world situations.
