How to Avoid Shrinking Clothes
‘Less is more,’ people say. And that’s true when you’re clearing out your kitchen cupboards or packing for a week away.
But less isn’t ‘more’ when it comes to that top you love. Or those trousers. Or that dress your teen needs for tonight.
No-one wants to open the washing machine or tumble dryer to find their favourite clothes are a size smaller.
So how can you avoid shrinking your clothes?
Follow these easy steps to enjoy wearing clothes the size you chose for years to come.
Why do clothes shrink in the laundry?
Too much agitation and high washing machine and tumble dryer temperatures are to blame as they damage the fibres in fabrics such as cotton, denim and wool.
How to avoid shrinking clothes in the washing machine
1. Check the laundry care label
Laundry care labels are there for a reason. To avoid shrinking your clothes, check them before you do your laundry. Even better, check them before you buy.
The label tells you how to keep your clothes looking good for years to come.
This includes if something is hand wash or dry clean only, and which cycle to use if it’s safe in your washing machine.
2. Get your laundry pile sorted
Washing days can be a rush, especially if you’re managing laundry for a busy family.
But dividing your laundry pile by fabric and cycle means clothes at risk of shrinking won’t end up getting ruined in the main cottons wash.
3. Wash your clothes in cooler water
It’s a fact: clothes are more likely to shrink in hot water, so keep things cool.
Fortunately, many washing machines (and detergents) are now designed to clean laundry effectively at temperatures as low as 30°C.
Good for clothes and good for energy bills.
Looking for the best washing machine to suit your family’s needs? Check out our range of Beko, Blomberg, Bosch, Hotpoint, Indesit, LG and Samsung washing machines.
4. Use the right washing machine cycle
‘Gentle’ is the word to note. As well as choosing cooler settings, avoid heavy-duty cycles and fast spins.
Whether you use a freestanding or integrated washing machine, most washing machines offer delicate and/or fabric-specific programmes for silk, synthetics and wool. Protect extra-special items in a mesh laundry bag.
How to avoid shrinking clothes in the tumble dryer
1. Check the laundry care label – again
You know the drill. As with any washing, always check the care label before putting clothes in your tumble dryer.
If something can’t be tumble dried, hang it on an air dryer or (weather permitting) outside on the washing line.
2. Dry your clothes at a lower temperature
Because high-heat tumble dryer cycles damage and distort fabric fibres, they can damage and distort your clothes – so choose the lowest tumble dryer heat setting recommended on the care label.
The good news is today’s new-tech tumble dryers are designed to dry clothes well at lower temperatures – like the A+++ energy-rated I-Pro Series 5 Haier HD90-A3959 9kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer with 60-plus specialist cycles to cover different fabric types, H0n app, I-Refresh, pillow-shaped pads and a hygiene function to remove up to 99% bacteria from bedding and clothes.
3. Use the right tumble dryer cycle
As well as choosing the lowest suitable heat setting on your vented, condenser or heat pump tumble dryer, avoid long cycles which can over-dry your clothes.
For very delicate items, choose the ‘air dry’ setting which doesn’t add any heat to the drum.
The Haier HD90-A3959 9kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer is especially good here as it comes with 60-plus specialist cycles as well as pillow-shaped pads so your laundry slips gently over the drum.
No need to cope with shrunken clothes again…
Check out our range of laundry appliances to suit your needs and keep your clothes in tip-top condition. If you could benefit from expert advice on choosing the right product, find your local store.
