Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

Washing at 60°C? Here’s what you’ll wish you knew sooner

You might’ve heard that washing your clothes at 60°C can shrink them. And now you’re standing by the washing machine, scratching your head, wondering if you’re about to ruin your favourite jumper.

If this is you, don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Let’s break it down so you can keep your clothes looking sharp (and the right size).

Table of Contents

Does Washing At 60°C Actually Shrink Clothes?

The short answer is yep, it can… but only some clothes. It’s not like a one size fits all disaster. If your wardrobe is full of synthetic stuff like polyester or nylon, you’re golden, they’ll survive the hot wash like champs.

But if you’ve got natural fibres like wool, cashmere, cotton, or linen? You need to tread carefully. Those bad boys are notorious for shrinking faster than a cheap jumper in a tumble dryer.

Why Do Natural Fibres Shrink In Hot Water?

Here’s the sciencey bit (but we’ll keep it short, promise): natural fibres like wool and cotton are stretched to make your clothes. When they get wet and hot, they relax, and bam, they shrink. It’s like they’re saying, “Ahhh, finally, I can chill now.” The hotter the water, the more they’ll shrink.

Wool doesn’t even need hot water to shrink. Treat it rough enough in cold water, and it’ll still throw a fit. That’s why you’ve got to show it some TLC. Use the delicate or wool setting on your machine, or better yet, hand wash it if you’re feeling fancy.

Cotton can shrink at any temperature as well, but if it’s pre shrunk it should be OK as long as you keep the temperature low.

What About Synthetic Clothes?

Synthetics are the low maintenance fabrics of the laundry world. They don’t stretch when they’re made, so they don’t shrink when they’re washed.

Wash your polyester shirts or nylon gym gear at 60°C, and you’re laughing. But don’t get too cocky, always check the care label first.

What Should You Actually Wash at 60°C?

If you’re dealing with things like bed sheets, towels, or underwear, then 60°C is golden. It’ll zap most of the bacteria and leave them smelling fresh. But… and it’s a big BUT… not all bacteria kick the bucket at 60°C. That’s where a decent detergent comes in to finish the job.

Oh, and bloodstains? Do not wash them in hot water unless you want them permanently set. Stick to a cooler 30 or 40 degree wash cycle for those.

What Should You Never Wash At 60°C?

Here’s the hit list of stuff you should avoid throwing into a hot wash:

Wool (unless you want it to fit your pet hamster)
Silk (that’s just asking for trouble)
Cotton & Linen that haven’t been pre-shrunk
Clothes with bright or dark colours that could bleed dye everywhere, nobody wants a tie-dye accident.

When in doubt, keep it cool, folks. Nobody ever ruined their clothes by being too cautious with the temperature.

Top Tips To Avoid The Shrinkage Saga

If you’re on a mission to keep your clothes looking good, follow these golden rules:

Read The Care Label
It’s there for a reason.
Stick To Cold Or Cool Washes
Especially for wool and cotton.
Use the Right Setting
Wool, delicates, or hand wash cycles are your BFFs.
Wash Inside Out
Helps reduce wear and tear.
Use The Right Detergent
Some fabrics like wool have specific detergent needs.
Air Dry
Skip the tumble dryer unless you’re deliberately trying to shrink something.

Also, remember: wool is breathable. You don’t need to wash it every time you wear it. Spot clean any marks and let it air out. Easy peasy.

The Pros & Cons Of Washing At 60°C

A person putting clothes into a washing machine

Let’s end with a quick recap of the good, the bad, and the ugly:

Pros:

Kills Germs
Most of them, anyway. Pair it with a good detergent for the win.
Removes Stains
Hot water can help shift a lot of muck.

Cons:

Shrinks Natural Fibres
Wool, cotton, linen… they’re all at risk.
Colours Might Run
High temps can make dyes bleed like a bad horror movie.

If in doubt, don’t wash at high temps, use a cooler wash and a lower spin speed. With many fabrics, the cool wash and the delicate cycle are your best friend.

Over To You

So, there you have it. Washing at 60°C isn’t all bad, just use your common sense, check your labels, and don’t chuck your favourite woolly jumper in there unless you want it to fit your cat.

Got any laundry horror stories? Share them in the comments below. We’re all ears (and giggles).

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