Will 100% Cotton Shrink?

Will 100% Cotton Shrink or Not!

Cotton is a vegetable-based fiber which comes from the seed pod of cotton plants.  It is considered to be the workhorse of the fabric world, but it can be hard to deal with sometimes.  Cotton will stretch when it is wet and shrinks when it dries—sometimes it shrinks more than you think it would.  Let’s take a closer look at Will 100% Cotton Shrink.

What does Sanforized mean?

If you read the labels on linens or clothing made of 100% cotton, you will find the term ‘sanforized’.  This means that the garment or fabric has been preshrunk using a trademarked process that will not shrink in the washer and dryer.  Often, clothing manufacturers will blend cotton with polyester or other fibers-sometimes synthetic ones-to make it less likely to shrink.

Caring for Cotton

To keep from having the will 100 cotton shrink worries, be sure to read the label, even before purchase.  Mostly, cotton is extremely easy to care for and worry-free, but one trick of the trade is not to dry cotton fabrics thoroughly.  Instead, remove them from the dryer while still slightly damp.  True, they will wrinkle and shrink over time, but allowing them to air dry is the best way to make them last longer.

Cotton clothing is highly washable and can be laundered in a variety of temperatures.  However, if you are a true believer in washing them in hot water, be sure to pretreat any stains before washing, since hot water can set some stains like grass and blood.  Also, turn the garment inside out before washing, as this will prevent the material from fading as fast.

How Do You Prevent Cotton from Shrinking?

So, Will 100% Cotton Shrink? The answer is yes, it can.  In fact, it can shrink up to 5%, which is approximately more than one size.  Remember, it is important to read all labels and to follow the washing and drying instructions.  Many of today’s cotton items are blended with other fibers which may, over time, prevent the amount of shrinkage that may occur.

Conclusion

So, today we have discussed a hotly debated topic asking Will 100% Cotton Shrink.  The truth of the matter is, yes.  It will.  We have also discussed ways to prevent shrinkage.  We have also recommended that all labels should be read, and the instructions for washing and drying be followed.  Still, your cotton garment or linens will provide you with many years of service if you take the simple suggestions into practice.

There are also blends available on today’s market that look and feel just like 100% cotton.  These blends make laundering easier and can increase the life span of the item.  They provide value as well and are sometimes cheaper than an item made only from cotton.