Stop Guessing! EXACT Temps for Shrink-Free Laundry Days

If you’ve gone out and splashed the cash on some new threads, well done. Now you need to know how to keep them looking fresh and fitting like they did in the shop. 

No one wants to pull out their favourite jumper only to find it’s shrunk to toddler size. Don’t panic, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s everything you need to know to avoid a laundry disaster, and keep your new clothes as good as new.

What’s The Magic Temperature For Shrink Free Laundry?

First off, there isn’t one single magic number. Annoying, right? It all depends on the fabric. Some materials are like Goldilocks: too hot, they shrink; too cold, they still find a way to mess with you. Here’s the lowdown:

Wool can shrink even in cold water, like it’s got a vendetta. It’s not only the temperature that causes wool to shrink, rough handling is as bad if not worse! 

Synthetic stuff is tougher, but anything over 90°C and it’s game over. Synthetic materials don’t get stretched during manufacture so they don’t shrink in hot water. But if the temp is too high, all bets are off.

You need to always check your labels, they’re like a cheat sheet for not ruining your wardrobe.

What REALLY Shrinks Your Clothes?

It’s not just about the temperature, shrinkage comes down to three contributing factors:

1. Material
   Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, cashmere and silk are more sensitive than your mate who cries at rom-coms. Man made fibres like polyester? Not so much.
2. Temperature
   Hotter washes increase your chances of shrinking disasters. Cooler is usually safer, but even cold washes can’t save certain fabrics (we’re looking at you wool).
3. Movement
   Yep, it’s the washing machine’s spin cycle smashing your clothes about like they’re in a mosh pit. This can cause fibres to weaken, contract and shrink.

What Happens To Clothes At Each Wash Temperature?

Let’s take a quick run through each of the temperature settings on a standard washing machine and see what effect it has on your clothes;

Cool Wash At 20 to 30°C

Most clothes can handle this just fine. But wool? Nah. It’ll still pull its shrinking stunt. This is mainly due to the rough and tumble action of the washer’s drum.

Warm Wash At 40°C

This is where natural fibres like cotton and silk start to feel the heat (literally) and could shrink. Pre shrunk cotton might survive. 

Synthetic stuff? Should be golden on this setting.

Washing At 50°C

Not many modern washers have a 50 degree wash anymore, but if yours does,think 40°C, but with slightly more risk. Natural fibres are likely to shrink, but synthetics should still hang on.

Washing At 60°C

This is when natural fibres shrink faster than a pint at last orders. Even synthetics might start feeling the pressure, but most synthetics should be fine.

Washing At 90°C

Who even washes clothes at this temp? Unless you’re sanitising hospital sheets, avoid. Everything’s gonna shrink, even synthetics. You’ve been warned.

The 90 degree wash cycle is best used empty as a cleaning the washer cycle to kill germs, bacteria and mould and mildew spores. You should clean your machine about once a month or so to stop it smelling like a polluted ditch.

Why Do Clothes Shrink In The Washing Machine?

There are three main reasons why your clothes pull a vanishing act in the wash:

1. Felting
   This one’s for fibres made from animal hair, like wool and cashmere. They’ve got these tiny little scales on the surface that collapse and clump together when heat and moisture get involved. The result? Shorter fibres and a shrunken jumper. 
2. Relaxation
   Natural fibres like cotton and linen are stretched out during weaving. Add warm water, and they “relax” back to their original size, which, unfortunately, is smaller. If the clothes were prewashed, this is less likely to happen, so prewashed = less shrinkage.
3. Consolidation
   Basically, this is the washing machine’s fault. As the drum spins, your clothes get bashed around like they’re in a boxing match. The fibres soften, compress, and, you guessed it, shrink. The tumble dryer doesn’t help either.

Why Tumble Dryers Can Be Your Clothes’ Worst Enemy

The tumble dryer. Is it Convenient? Sure. Can it be the problem? Absolutely. There are a few sciency explanations why clothes can shrink when tumble dried which are;

• Contraction
  Fabrics lose all their moisture and end up tighter than your jeans after Christmas dinner. Wool and cotton need some moisture to stay in shape. Wool should have a moisture content of around 17% and cotton should have 5% moisture, any less and they’re on their way to shrinksville.
• High Temps
  These bad boys can hit up to 75°C, which is basically a death sentence for natural fibres.
• Baked On Heat
  Get your clothes out the second the cycle ends. Letting them sit there is like leaving your pizza in the oven too long, a sure recipe for disaster and shrinkage.

Will Cold Water Save The Day?

Short answer? Maybe. Cold washes help, but some fabrics just love shrinking no matter what. 

Wool, for example, doesn’t care if it’s freezing; it’ll still throw a tantrum if you don’t use the delicate cycle.

Shrink Proof Your Laundry 

Fed up with finding your clothes come out of the wash in baby sized versions? Want to avoid heartbreak? Follow these simple rules:

• Always Check The Care Label
  It’s there for a reason, folks. Don’t just wing it. Follow the advice on the label.
• Wash Cool
  Stick to cold or cool settings whenever possible.
• Use Gentle Cycles
  Less spin, less rough action, less shrinkage. Simples.
• Air Dry Like A Pro
  Ditch the tumble dryer. Use a clothesline or airer instead. It saves money and it’s eco friendly too.

Wash Temperature Cheatsheet

Material	Wash Temperature	Notes
Wool	Cold (20-30°C)	Use a gentle/delicate cycle and no rough handling.
Cotton (Pre-shrunk)	Warm (30-40°C)	Pre-shrunk cotton can handle warmer washes. Air dry to stop any further shrinkage.
Cotton (Non-pre-shrunk)	Cold (30°C max)	Higher temps can cause relaxation shrinkage (don’t do it).
Linen	Cold to Warm (30-40°C)	Gentle cycle recommended; avoid excessive spinning unless you want to shrink it.
Silk	Cold (20-30°C)	Hand wash or use a gentle/delicate cycle.
Cashmere	Cold (20-30°C)	Hand wash or gentle cycle. No tumble drying.
Polyester	Warm (30-40°C)	Synthetic fabrics handle moderate heat but avoid 90°C, 60°C is pushing it really.
Nylon	Warm (30-40°C)	Avoid high heat; air dry when possible.
Acrylic	Warm (30-40°C)	Gentle cycle is best; avoid tumble drying.
Rayon (Viscose)	Cold (20-30°C)	Hand wash is best; no wringing.
Spandex	Cold (30°C max)	Avoid high heat; air dry flat.
Denim	Warm (30-40°C)	Turn inside out; air dry unless you want faded or shrunken clothes.
Mixed Fabrics	Cold to Warm (30-40°C)	Follow the care label for the main fabric type.

Got Your Own Laundry Fails?

Have you ever turned a jumper into a doll’s outfit? Or managed to shrink your favourite jeans? Share your stories in the comments, we could all do with a laugh (and maybe learn what not to do).

Go on, tag a mate who’s a laundry liability and save them from themselves. And remember, when in doubt, wash cold and chill.

SEE ALSO: The Secret Stain Remover That Costs Pennies and Works Wonders!

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