Will 100% Cotton Shrink?

By Nitin Hariyani

Will 100% Cotton Shrink or Not?

100% Cotton image when it gets shrink

Yes, 100% cotton can shrink if you don't wash it properly. Pre-shrunk cotton can shrink up to 2-5% or more and if it is not pre-shrunk it can shrink up to 20%. If you want to shrink 100% cotton, wash it in hot water, if not, wash with cold water. Sometimes it shrinks more than your expectation so, we suggest to read tags or user manual. Let’s take a closer look at Will 100% Cotton Shrink.

Will 100% Cotton Shrink

Washing 100% cotton with cold water can cause shrinkage so if you want the cotton to be shrunk deliberately use cold water otherwise normal water is the best. While washing cotton in the machine, a gentle cycle and chemical-free detergents are recommended. For heavy dirty clothes, you can use hot water. Cotton is a vegetable-based fiber that 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.

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.

Sanforizing Before and after

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 to 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.

Will 100% Cotton Shrink in Cold Water or Hot Water?

By reading till here you come to know that cotton shrinks. Right! But will 100% cotton stretch? Yes, it will stretch. Cotton shrink as well as stretch. It is necessary to know that when it will shrink and when it will stretch? Cotton will stretch when it is wet and shrinks when it dries. It can shrink up to 5%. Suppose you are washing a Flat sheet of 100% cotton fabric. Cold-water is best and recommended, to wash 100% cotton clothes. This way your Sheet will not shrink. Use Hot water only if your sheet is heavy dirty and you want it to be shrunk. Hot-water-wash is the best way you can clean germs and heavy dirt spots. There you have to be very careful about it. If you ware washing clothes in hot water don't keep clothes for a long time to soak. It can fade the color of your cloth and damage its fabric.

How Much Will 100% Cotton Shrink?

People are asking will 100% cotton shrink a lot? There is always a limitation for something to do something. If you use hot water (130oF or above) it can shrink up to 20%. This is the reason why we suggest to use cold water during washing cotton clothes. One more thing I would like to add that is sanforized labeled clothes. If your washing cotton clothes which are made by manmade substances like nylon. You can use warm water (90oF) it is best to wash in which neither your clothes will fade nor your fabric will get damage.

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. Blending is to give extra quality sometimes or sometimes to make cloth cheaper but 100% cotton is the best fabric as it has so many good qualities naturally. This is why experts suggest a 100% cotton sheet set for sleeping and cotton clothes to wear. 

I hope you will not ask "will 100% cotton shrink" again to someone. If you still have any doubt about "Will 100% cotton shrink" you can comment and ask for. I'm always here to make your doubt clear & ask for. I'm always here to make your doubt clear.

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3 comments

  • When my sheet has shrunk with the first hot wash, will it continue to shrink in succeeding hot water washes??? It’s just right, now.

  • I find this “will 100% cotton shrink” article useful. I’m waiting for you to write some more blogs like this on different fabrics. Thanks for this blog .

  • Coton – is the best material for me and my children. I advice everybody take a closer look to coton.

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