Shrinking clothes in the laundry is one of the most common laundry accidents that can occur. That favorite shirt can suddenly become unwearable after just one wash, but the silver lining is that laundry shrinkage is easily preventable. This blog post will cover 5 tips you can apply today to take care of your favorite clothing.
1.Read the label very carefully.
Care labels provide essential instructions on how to go about washing, drying and ironing your garments. Ignoring these instructions are one of the main reasons why clothes shrink.
2.Wash with cold water.
Hot water can tighten the fabrics in clothing, which ultimately lead to shrinkage. Switching to cold water is not only better for your clothes, but the environment as well! This is also strongly recommended for natural fabrics like wool or cotton.
3.Use the “delicate” cycle.
Strong and aggressive washing cycles can not only end up shrinking garments, but giving them more wear and tear as well. Opting for the “gentle” or “delicate” setting on the machine can reduce agitation and preserve the garment’s shape.
4.Use the dryer wisely.
High dryer heat is another one of the most common reasons for garment shrinkage. Choosing to use a “low-heat” or “tumble-dry” setting. Removing clothes that are slightly damp and air drying them, especially if they are more delicate, can be a great solution to this problem.
5.Avoid Overwashing.
Repeated washing will eventually wear down fabrics over time, and will ultimately make them more likely to shrink. To prevent this, just be sure to wash clothes when necessary, and learning to not overdo it.
With just a few adjustments to your laundry routine you can keep your clothes fitting, and looking like new.
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