Cotton garments are popular with customers because they are soft, breathable, and absorb moisture. However, it is frustrating when a new cotton T-shirt loses its shape and becomes fluffy after being washed and dried. It is fabric shrinkage.
Do you or your customers encounter such an annoying situation? Do your customers complain about this problem? If you are confused about the above issues and want to find a solution for your customers, it is necessary to read this article. It contains expert answers and care advice. It only takes 5 minutes to gain professional knowledge about cotton and shrinkage.
Does cotton shrink in the washer or dryer?
Unfortunately, cotton clothes like sweaters and T-shirts will shrink both in a washer and dryer without a suitable setting.
In a washer, cotton garments will have an obvious shrinkage when the water temperature reaches 40℃. Hot water will cause fiber expansion and clothes shrinkage after drying. Strong stirring and dehydration function of the washing machine will stretch cotton fibers. Loose-structured cotton garments, such as cotton knitwear, are more susceptible to these conditions. Additionally, prolonged soaking in the washer exacerbates the expansion of cotton fibers. Thus, the cotton garment will shrink heavily after drying.
As for the dryer, a high-temperature environment (above 60°C) will cause the cotton fiber to shrink and cure. Overdrying is prone to making cotton fibre lose its elasticity and deform, which can affect its quality and durability.
Why does Cotton Shrink?
Before explaining this question, it is necessary to learn the fiber structure of cotton. The cotton fiber is made of more than 90% cellulose. The shape of a cotton fiber is like a fine, long tube with a hollow center. In their natural state, these fibers are held together by hydrogen bonds, which give them their stable shape.
But the cotton fibers contain hydrophilic groups (-OH) on their surface. When cotton textiles are put into water, the hydrophilic groups will absorb water and expand. The original tight-connecting hydrogen bonds are broken. This is a prelude to shrinkage.
In this process, the expansion of cotton fiber is different in length and width. The cotton fiber can expand 20%-30% in width and only 1%-2% in length. The thicker yarns will grind against each other and cause overall shrinkage. When high-moisture cotton fiber loses water quickly through a powerful spin cycle or heat drying, the fabric shrinks permanently and cannot return to its original shape.
More importantly, cotton textiles are stretched many times during their production. From spinning, weaving, to printing, cotton fiber will be stretched and fixed. Therefore, cotton fibers, like rubber bands, have a constant tendency to rebound. When cotton textiles are in water or under heat, the constraining force of fibers will decrease, and they will restore their original sizes.
Factors Influencing Cotton Shrinkage
Not all cotton textiles will shrink in the same degree. The following points are the factors that affect the cotton shrinkage.
Cotton quality and length
The maturity and length of cotton fibers both have a certain impact on its shrinkage. Immature cotton fibers, which are inferior to the mature, have a larger hollow center. This means they can absorb more water. Therefore, immature cotton has a 5%-8% heavier shrinkage than that of mature cotton fibers. Short-staple cotton (such as Upland cotton) has a looser structure than long-staple cotton (such as Egyptian cotton). The shrinkage rate of the former is 3%-5% higher than the latter.
Blending ratio
When cotton blends with polyester and spandex, its shrinkage will be significantly improved. For example, the blend fabric of 80% cotton and 20% polyester only has a 2% shrinkage rate. The stable property of synthetic fabric can inhibit the cotton shrinkage.
Yarn thickness and weaving structure
Thicker cotton yarns need more curls to adopt the structure of textiles. When sunk in the water, the expansion of yarns intensifies the curls and causes textile shrinkage. Yarn density is also an influencing factor. High-density cotton fabrics, such as poplin and fine canvas, are less likely to deform. But low-density cotton fabrics are hard to keep their shape after washing. The fabric shrinkage also differs with different weaving methods. For woven cotton fabrics, such as twill weave and plain weave, their tight structure contributes to less shrinkage. But for cotton T-shirts and singlets, commonly used knits, are more prone to shrinking due to their loose structure.
Post treatment and dyeing
For cotton fabrics, some manufacturers will minimize the risk of shrinkage through treatments. For example, sanforization is a pre-shrink method through a mechanical process. It can effectively improve the shrinkage of ready-to-wear clothes. For some cotton blend fabrics, heatsetting is an important process to prevent shrinkage and maintain their size. Resin finishing and mercerization can make the cotton fabric more uniform and stable. These agents can also reduce the risk of shrinkage. As for dyeing, the tension, temperature, and chemical treatment in the dyeing process will expand or shrink cotton fibers. As a result, dyeing will change the size stability and further affect the shrinkage rate of cotton fabrics.
Washing and care method
Water temperature, washing setting, drying, and ironing will affect the cotton shrinkage. Cotton fiber absorbs moisture sharply in hot water, resulting in obvious shrinkage. High-speed spinning during machine washing can cause a significant impact on cotton garments. Powerful spin drying and high-temperature tumble drying will further stretch the fibres. These situations accelerate shrinkage and even deformation. As for ironing, it is important to choose a suitable temperature setting. Too low or too high temperature will never refine the shrinkage state.
How Much Does Cotton Shrink?
After learning the influencing factors, it is easier to understand this topic. Generally speaking, the shrinkage rate of cotton clothes ranges from 1% to 20%. The specific figure will change with the weaving, treatment, and cleaning methods.
For different densities and weaving types, the shrinkage rate of cotton fabrics is illustrated in the following table.
| Cotton fabric | Shrinkage rate |
| Common cotton fabric | 4%-10% |
| Cotton denim | 10% |
| Cotton poplin | 3%-4.5% |
| Cotton twill | 4% |
For some preshrunk cotton, such as that treated with the Sanforized technique, its shrinkage rate can be controlled within 2%-5%, even under 3%.
At different water temperatures, the degree of shrinkage is also distinguished. When the water temperature reaches about 49℃ (about 120℉), 100% cotton garments will shrink 20%. In lukewarm water, the shrinkage rate is 8%-10%. But in cold water, the cotton garments will have a little shrinkage.
For 100% cotton textiles, its standard shrinkage rate should be controlled under 5%.
How to Unshrink a Cotton Shirt?
If you or your customers are worried about a cotton shirt shrinking, this section will introduce two methods for unshrinking it. However, it should be noted that complete restoration is difficult to achieve. The following methods can only reduce the shrinkage.
Soaking method
- Add 500ml white vinegar to 1L lukewarm water. After stirring well, the shrunk cotton shirt should be put into the mixed water for at least 25 minutes. If the cotton shirt shrinks heavily, you can gently stretch it in the water. This is to help the shrunk shirt restore its original elasticity and size. After soaking, rinse it with clean water and hang it to dry.
- Put 2 scoops of borax into 1L lukewarm water. Then soak the shrunk cotton shirt for 25 minutes in the mixed water. During the soaking period, you can gently stretch it. After soaking, lay the shirt flat on a towel and roll it to remove extra water. Keep the shirt on the towel for 10 minutes. After this, take out the shirt to still lay flat to dry.
- Add 15ml baby shampoo or conditioner to 1L lukewarm water. Then soak the shrunk cotton shirt entirely for 30 minutes. After this, gently squeeze extra water without wringing. Lay the shirt flat on a dry towel and roll it. After 10 minutes, slightly stretch it and hang it to dry.
Steaming ironing method
Lay the shrunk cotton shirt flat on the ironing table. The ironing temperature for 100% cotton garments should be controlled at 150℃-180℃. But the specific temperature is changeable with the garments’ thickness, color, and texture. After setting a suitable ironing temperature, you should keep the steam iron away from the shirt at 10cm-15cm. Then spray the steam on the clothes evenly. At that time, you can gently stretch the shirt to its original size. After stretching well, you can dry it on a flat and airy place to keep its shape. After completely drying, check the shirt to ensure it’s in its original shape and size. If not, you can repeat the above steps. But never overdose.
Tips for Washing Cotton and Helping Prevent Shrinkage
For cotton garments, shrinkage is inevitable. But a right and reasonable washing method can minimize the damage of shrinkage. Follow the tips below, and you can reduce unnecessary trouble.
- Read the care tag. Before washing cotton textiles, it is necessary to read the care tag. This is because every cotton textile has its unique material composition and production process. Following the instructions in the care label will never be wrong.
- When washing cotton textiles, remember to use cold water (under 30℃). If you have extra time, it is advisable to wash it by hand. But if you want to use a machine washer, please choose a gentle setting and use mesh bags. Besides, don’t soak textiles in water for a long time.
- The best way to dry cotton textiles is to lay them on a flat surface or hang them in an airy place. Avoid direct exposure to heavy sunlight, or the textiles will deform and shrink. If you need to dry them in a dryer, please choose low heat setting. Don’t use the powerful dehydration function of the washing machine.
- If you want to iron your cotton textiles, it is necessary to choose a suitable temperature. It is better to choose a steam iron to prevent unnecessary damage.
- After cleaning and drying, the cotton textiles should be sorted into darks and lights. Hanging them can actually cause damage over time. You can store cotton textiles by folding them neatly. You can also put drying agents in the wardrobe to avoid damp and mold.
Conclusion
Does cotton shrink? The answer is certain. But the shrinkage is not uncontrollable. Understanding the properties of cotton fiber and commanding proper washing care methods can prolong the service life of cotton textiles.
If you want to know more about cotton and related products, please contact us directly. Sino Silk, a professional fabric supplier, can offer you high-quality cotton fabric and practical suggestions.
FAQs
Does 100% cotton shrink every time you wash it?
Yes, cotton textiles will shrink with each washing. However, the degree of shrinkage varies. Cotton textiles mostly shrink during the first wash, by about 3%-5%. In later washings, shrinkage is much less without a high-temperature environment.
Do cotton/polyester blends shrink?
Yes, cotton-polyester blends also shrink. But for adding the synthetic fiber, the shrinkage rate has been significantly improved.
Does pima cotton shrink?
Yes. Although pima cotton is considered high-quality long-staple cotton, it can also shrink. But compared to common cotton, pima cotton shrinks less.
Does organic cotton shrink?
Yes. Organic cotton refers to the cotton plants that don’t use pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic cotton is more eco-friendly. However, its fiber properties are never changed. Therefore, organic cotton also shrinks.
