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Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

swinburne.edu.au

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Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#11
post #8
post #6

It has been ages since I had clothes shrink on me. To the point that I had assumed something must have gotten better in modern dryers. Is that not the case? Edit: Quickly searching, this appears to be the case? Specifically modern moisture sensing dryers that stop appropriately goes a long way to never having something shrink on you.

I think a lot of things use pre-shrunk fabric these days. I've got t-shirts that haven't shrunk, and t-shirts that have. Unfortunately a lot of band shirts bought at concerts fall into the latter :(.

Even cheap band t-shirts don't shrink in our dryer. I have sweaters that I am confident would have shrunk in the past, but do just fine here.

On that last, I almost forgot I had direct evidence. We visited a place that shrank some of our clothes that we had washed many times back home.

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#12
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think a lot of things use pre-shrunk fabric these days. I've got t-shirts that haven't shrunk, and t-shirts that have. Unfortunately a lot of band shirts bought at concerts fall into the latter :(.

I tend to find that older (10+ years) t-shirts shrink a lot. Even if I don't wash them.

I literally have a t-shirt from 1997 that doesn't shrink in our machines. :D

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#13
post #6

It has been ages since I had clothes shrink on me. To the point that I had assumed something must have gotten better in modern dryers. Is that not the case? Edit: Quickly searching, this appears to be the case? Specifically modern moisture sensing dryers that stop appropriately goes a long way to never having something shrink on you.

There have been changes in the manufacturing process to "pre-shrink" fabrics. Similar improvements have been made to improve colorfastness. Mixing new reds and whites used to consistently produce pink. Not anymore.

I should have been clear, I also expected that there were changes to the clothes. I was just more surprised after we ran some sweaters through the cycle on accident, only to find that they did just fine.

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#14
post #6

It has been ages since I had clothes shrink on me. To the point that I had assumed something must have gotten better in modern dryers. Is that not the case? Edit: Quickly searching, this appears to be the case? Specifically modern moisture sensing dryers that stop appropriately goes a long way to never having something shrink on you.

It's not just moisture sensing. Modern dryers also use patterns to prevent shrinking in terms of reducing the heat and then bringing it back as opposed to a constant temperature until dry.

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#15

I have the following printout in the laundry room. I haven't had any problems with shrinking or fading, etc. https://www.ihateironing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/07...

What the hell does "Do not dry" mean? You have to keep it moist forever?

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#16
post #6

It has been ages since I had clothes shrink on me. To the point that I had assumed something must have gotten better in modern dryers. Is that not the case? Edit: Quickly searching, this appears to be the case? Specifically modern moisture sensing dryers that stop appropriately goes a long way to never having something shrink on you.

New clothes also tend to include synthetic fibers that seem to not shrink as much. 100% cotton, or especially wool garments will shrink if you’re not careful, but are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#17
post #4
post #3

Just buy them slightly oversize and let them shrink down to the right size.

Difficult when the options are Medium and Large!

This also requires knowing how much it will shrink, and accurately gauging if I've left enough buffer when trying something on at the store.

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#18
post #15

I have the following printout in the laundry room. I haven't had any problems with shrinking or fading, etc. https://www.ihateironing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/07...

What the hell does "Do not dry" mean? You have to keep it moist forever?

It probably means to air-dry (to not use a dryer)

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#19
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tend to find that older (10+ years) t-shirts shrink a lot. Even if I don't wash them.

I literally have a t-shirt from 1997 that doesn't shrink in our machines. :D

I think you may not have fully appreciated the comment you replied to

Re: Why some clothes shrink in the wash and how to unshrink them

#20
post #18
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What the hell does "Do not dry" mean? You have to keep it moist forever?

It probably means to air-dry (to not use a dryer)

You would think that, but there is an icon for not using a dryer. There is an icon for all forms of drying. On a clothes line, in the shade, "flat", ...
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