Textile scientist on unshrinking clothes that's shrunk in the wash
14 days ago
- #fabric-care
- #textiles
- #laundry
- Clothing shrinkage occurs due to the relaxation of textile fibers back to their natural crinkled state when exposed to heat, moisture, or mechanical action.
- Fibers like cotton and linen have cellulose molecules that straighten during manufacturing but revert when washed, especially in hot water.
- Wool shrinks differently through fiber entanglement called felting, where cuticle cells interlock during washing.
- Synthetic fibers like polyester resist shrinkage due to their crystalline structure and engineered stability.
- To minimize shrinkage, use cold water, gentle wash cycles, and avoid high spin speeds.
- Shrunken garments can sometimes be rescued by soaking in lukewarm water with conditioner, then gently stretching and drying flat.