Clothes shrinking in the wash is frustrating. One minute, your shirt fits. The next, it looks like it belongs to your little cousin. The truth is that most clothes shrink because of how they’re washed and dried. But here’s the good news: you can stop this from happening.

I care deeply about helping people live better, more confident lives. And yes, that includes not walking around in shrunken sweaters. So, let’s get straight to the point—here’s what you need to know to wash your clothes the right way and keep them fitting perfectly.

Why Clothes Shrink

Most shrinking happens because of heat, water, and friction. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Heat: Hot water or high dryer heat causes fibers to tighten up.
Water: Natural fibers like cotton and wool absorb water and swell, then tighten when they dry.
Friction: Tumbling clothes in the washer or dryer adds stress to the fabric, especially when combined with heat.

In short, too much heat and rough handling will shrink your clothes. Now, let’s talk about how to avoid it.

Check the Label First—Always

Every piece of clothing has a care label for a reason. It tells you exactly how to wash and dry the item. Look for instructions like:

“Machine wash cold”
“Lay flat to dry”
“Dry clean only”

Ignoring the label is the fastest way to ruin your clothes. Before anything goes into the washer, take a few seconds to read it. That small habit can save you a lot of money.

Wash with Cold Water

Hot water is the top reason clothes shrink. It’s great for killing germs but terrible for most fabrics. Cold water, on the other hand, is much gentler and works well with modern detergents.

Pro tip: Use cold water for almost everything unless the label says otherwise. It protects fabric and prevents shrinkage.

Use the Gentle Cycle

The regular cycle on your washer is too rough for many clothes. The gentle or delicate cycle reduces friction, spinning, and agitation. That means less stress on your clothes—and less shrinking.

Reserve the normal cycle for things like towels or bedsheets. Your shirts, dresses, and pants will thank you for using the gentler setting.

Skip the Dryer (Or Use Low Heat)

Dryers are a major cause of shrinking clothes. The combination of high heat and tumbling is a recipe for disaster.

Here’s what you can do instead:

Air dry: Hang your clothes or lay them flat on a clean surface.
Tumble dry low: If you must use the dryer, choose the lowest heat setting possible.
Remove while damp: Taking clothes out before they’re fully dry can help them retain their shape.

Wool, cotton, and rayon shrink easily. These should never go in a hot dryer.

Turn Clothes Inside Out

This reduces friction on the outer fabric during washing and drying. It also helps preserve color and shape. Turning clothes inside out is especially useful for jeans, t-shirts, and anything delicate.

Use Mesh Laundry Bags

Mesh laundry bags are helpful for protecting delicate clothes during a wash. They reduce agitation and keep items from stretching or tangling, which helps prevent shrinkage. Use them for underwear, bras, and anything made of silk, lace, or lightweight cotton.

Don’t Overload the Washer

Cramming too many clothes into your washer means they won’t move freely. This creates more friction and uneven washing. Clothes get twisted, pulled, and worn out faster.

Wash smaller loads when possible. It’s gentler on fabrics and actually gets things cleaner.

Use the Right Detergent

Some detergents are made for cold water and delicate fabrics. Choose a mild, enzyme-free detergent when washing clothes you care about. Stronger detergents can weaken fibers over time, making them more likely to shrink.

Reshape While Damp

When clothes are still damp, gently stretch and reshape them before laying them flat to dry. This works especially well for sweaters and knitwear. It helps the garment dry in its original size and shape instead of tightening up.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to keep replacing clothes just because they shrank in the wash. Most of the time, the damage is preventable. The key is to be intentional with how you wash and dry your clothes. Stick to cold water, gentle cycles, and low heat—or better yet, skip the dryer entirely. And always, always check the label.

Your clothes should fit you—not the other way around.

Let this be the last time laundry ruins your outfit.