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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

#41

Post by systemtest »

michaelbuckbee wrote: post #38
taeric wrote: 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 still find it to be the case that most 100% cotton shirts shrink over time (even pre-shrunk) and have switched to blends just to get some more longevity out of them.

I had that issue but as it turns out I was just getting fatter

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

#42

Post by chias »

taeric wrote: 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 wish I lived in your world. It is very rare I find a long-sleeved garment whose sleeves are long enough, and it usually only takes a wash or two for them to become too short :(

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

#43

Post by account42 »

comrade1234 wrote: post #5

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...

I take the opposite approach: wash everything on the default setting and whatever survives (almost everything) is now confirmed safe for that setting. Keeps things simpler and has the advantage that you can cut of those scratchy labels that are always attached in the most uncomfortable places possible.

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

#44

Post by BeastMachine »

systemtest wrote: post #41
michaelbuckbee wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I still find it to be the case that most 100% cotton shirts shrink over time (even pre-shrunk) and have switched to blends just to get some more longevity out of them.

I had that issue but as it turns out I was just getting fatter

As silly as this sounds, the same thing happened to me. I was getting pretty frustrated because all of my pants kept shrinking.. the truth hurt.

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

#46

Post by JohnMakin »

systemtest wrote: post #41
michaelbuckbee wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I still find it to be the case that most 100% cotton shirts shrink over time (even pre-shrunk) and have switched to blends just to get some more longevity out of them.

I had that issue but as it turns out I was just getting fatter

Lol, this happened to me the first time I started gaining weight in my early 30's.

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

#47

Post by vayup »

philipallstar wrote: post #9
goda90 wrote: 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.

Same happens to me, but I don't think it's the T-shirts that are shrinking.

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

#48

Post by lotsofpulp »

account42 wrote: post #43
comrade1234 wrote: post #5

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...

I take the opposite approach: wash everything on the default setting and whatever survives (almost everything) is now confirmed safe for that setting. Keeps things simpler and has the advantage that you can cut of those scratchy labels that are always attached in the most uncomfortable places possible.

If I have to choose anything but the default wash and dry setting, I'm not worthy of wearing it.
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