How to Avoid Shrinking Clothes in the Wash: Do’s and Don’ts

28th Jul 2025 Laundry

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Knowing how to care for your clothing properly is essential for keeping it in good condition, particularly during the hot Bahraini summer, when fabrics are more susceptible to wear and heat. Colors can fade, clothing can shrink, and the fit of your favorite clothes can be ruined by even minor laundry errors, such as using hot water or overdrying.

For this reason, it’s critical to follow the proper laundry tips and, when necessary, seek the advice of professional dry cleaning services. Love2Laundry offers reliable laundry pickup & delivery, allowing you to enjoy clean, freshly laundered clothes without worrying about damage or stress.

What Causes Clothes to Shrink?

Clothes shrink due to the type of fabric, agitation, moisture, and heat. Fibers are tightened by high washing or drying temperatures, particularly in materials like rayon, cotton, and wool. Fabric shape is also distorted by rough cycles and excessive water. These are the common fabric types sensitive to shrinking.

Wool shrinks with movement and heat.
Cotton shrinks with moisture and heat.
Rayon is brittle and prone to shrinkage.
Polyester can warp at high temperatures but does not shrink.

Follow fabric care instructions to avoid shrinking clothes, or consider using laundry services near me for professional assistance.

Do’s and Don’ts to Prevent Shrinking Clothes

If you want your clothes to last longer and keep their fit, you must take good care of them when you’re washing them. Following the proper procedures can help you avoid shrinking clothes and maintain the fresh appearance of your wardrobe, whether you’re washing delicate items or daily wear. Here are some helpful clothing care tips presented as simple dos and don’ts, making it easy to follow.

Do’s

Use these smart laundry techniques to maintain the best possible condition for your clothing, especially regarding thobe care and abaya care:

Read the Care Label: For correct handling, always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wash with Cold Water: Cold water helps preserve the fabric’s quality.
Use Gentle Wash Cycle: To prevent damage, it is especially crucial to use gentle wash cycles for delicate clothing, such as abayas and thobes.
Sort your Laundry: Sort them according to the type of fabric. To provide the best possible washing conditions, keep delicate, light, and dark fabrics apart.
Let it Air Dry: Specialty clothing is far safer to hang or flat dry than to tumble dry.

Don’ts

Avoid these typical laundry mistakes to avoid shrinking clothes:

Avoid packing the washer too full: Overloading the washer restricts the movement of the clothes, resulting in uneven cleaning and potential damage.
Avoid using hot water excessively: Hot water can cause shrinkage and break down fibers, particularly in cotton and wool.
Avoid over-drying clothing in the dryer: Overheating causes fabrics to lose moisture, making them brittle and more likely to shrink.
Pay attention to the type of fabric: To properly protect each item, always check the labels and sort accordingly to avoid shrinking clothes.

Step-by-Step Washing Guide to Avoid Shrinking Clothes

Keeping your clothes in great shape doesn’t have to be difficult. You can prolong their lifespan, preserve their fit, and avoid typical laundry errors with the right strategy. Here’s a step-by-step, beginner-friendly guide to washing clothes without shrinking, complete with easy laundry hacks to make the process go more smoothly.

Step 1 – Read Clothing Labels

Understanding the care labels on your clothing is the first step to avoid shrinking clothes. These labels provide crucial information specific to the type of fabric, including the recommended drying technique, washing temperature, and whether dry cleaning is recommended.

Keep an eye out for symbols such as a square with a dot (dryer settings), a bucket with a hand (hand wash), or a circle (dry clean). By following these laundry tips, you can preserve delicate materials and maintain the best possible appearance of your clothing through multiple washings, while also avoiding shrinkage.

Step 2 – Wash with Cold or Cool Water

One of the easiest yet most effective laundry tips for preserving fabric quality and avoiding shrinkage is to wash clothes in cold or cool water. Particularly in natural textiles like cotton and wool, hot water can cause degradation of the fibers, leading to shrinkage and loss of shape.

Over time, cooler temperatures help preserve colors, textures, and fit because they are kinder to clothing. It’s also energy-efficient, which benefits the environment and your wardrobe.

Step 3 – Use a Gentle Wash Cycle

It’s crucial to use a gentle or delicate wash cycle when handling delicate materials, such as wool, silk, or lace. These settings reduce wear and tear, preventing clothes from shrinking by using slower spin speeds and cooler water temperatures.

If the “wool” setting is available, choose it especially for wool clothing, as it is designed to clean without overly disturbing the fibers. You have a better chance of maintaining the fabric’s softness, size, and shape while avoiding the shrinking of clothes if you apply less stress to it during washing.

Step 4 – Choose Low-Heat or Air-Dry Settings

When using a dryer, always choose low-heat or air-dry settings to avoid shrinkage. One of the primary causes of fabric distortion, especially in cotton, wool, and synthetic blends, is high heat. Flat drying on a fresh towel is the best option for delicate items, such as wool sweaters. It helps them maintain their shape without shrinking or stretching.

Air drying is the safest option when in doubt. It keeps your clothes looking and fitting perfectly by being gentle on fibers and drastically reducing the chance of shrinkage.

Step 5 – Avoid Over-Drying

Your clothes can get seriously damaged if you overdry them, especially if they are made of delicate materials. Overheating damages fibers, ruins colors, and, worst of all, causes clothing to shrink. It’s essential to remove your clothes from the dryer while they’re still slightly damp and let them air dry for the rest of the day if you want to avoid shrinking clothes.

Consider not using the dryer at all for materials like silk, wool, or lace. A safer option that preserves the structure, color, and shape of your clothing, keeping it in top condition for longer and preventing shrinkage, is dry cleaning for delicate fabrics.

Air Drying vs Tumble Drying: What’s Safer?

When it comes to protecting your clothes, air drying is generally the safer option. It prolongs the life of your clothes, prevents shrinking, and is gentle on fabric. But it requires more space and time.

On the other hand, tumble drying is quick and simple, but it can be rough on delicate materials. Particularly for cotton, wool, and silk, excessive heat and agitation can result in wear, fading, or shrinkage.

Suggested Air-Dry Fabrics:

Delicates (such as lingerie)
Stretchy materials (like spandex and lycra)
Wool
Silk
Lace

Pro Tip: When in doubt, opt for air drying, especially for clothing made of natural fibres or delicate materials, and check the garment labels for optimal results.

How Love2Laundry Helps You Avoid Shrinking Your Clothes

When your favorite clothes shrink, we at Love2Laundry understand how frustrating it can be. Our professional laundry services are designed to prevent shrinking clothes. Our staff selects the appropriate wash cycle and temperature for each item, utilizing fabric-specific care techniques. We preserve delicate fibers and maintain the original fit of your clothing by using temperature-controlled washing and air-drying options.

Looking for smart laundry tips? You’ll never have to worry about shrinking again, because Love2Laundry will take good care of your clothing.

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FAQs – Avoid Shrinking Clothes

Does cold water prevent clothes from shrinking?

Yes, using cold water can be a helpful way to prevent shrinking clothes. Unlike hot water, which tends to relax and tighten fibers, especially in cotton, wool, and other natural fabrics, cold water is much gentler. It helps keep the fabric’s original shape and size.

Do clothes shrink in the washer or dryer more?

Clothes typically shrink more in the dryer than in the washer. While hot water in the washer can cause slight shrinkage, the intense heat and tumbling motion of the dryer are the main culprits.

Can you reverse shrunken clothes?

In certain situations, you can reverse some mild shrinkage! Soaking the garment in lukewarm water with baby shampoo or hair conditioner relaxes the fibers, easing the garment back to its original size. Keep in mind, results may vary, but this gentle method can often help restore some size, especially in cotton and knit fabrics.

Wrap Up!

Using the proper water temperature, drying techniques, and fabric care methods is crucial to avoid shrinking clothes. With Love2Laundry’s expert laundry service, you don’t have to worry about trial and error. To preserve the original fit and quality of your clothing, our experts handle each item with care, employing gentle cycles and appropriate heat settings. Love2Laundry is the best option for reliable laundry in Manama and Riffa, offering precise, convenient, and shrink-free results.