You toss a sweater in the wash. It comes out half its size. Welcome to the club. Shrinking is one of the most frustrating laundry mistakes, and once it happens, there’s no going back. Sweaters, hoodies, wool, and even cotton are all vulnerable. If you want to stop shrinking your clothes, especially those expensive knits and seasonal favorites, you need to change the way you wash and dry them.
Why Clothes Shrink in the First Place
It’s all about heat, agitation, and moisture. Natural fibers like wool, cotton, and linen contract when exposed to high temperatures or intense spinning. Here’s what causes shrinkage:
- Hot water: Swells and tightens fibers
- Dryer heat: Bakes clothes into a smaller size
- Rough cycles: Break the structure of the fabric
- Fabric blends: Stretchy materials lose shape and snap back smaller
Basically, your sweater didn’t “magically” shrink. You forced it to.
Step 1: Read the Care Label
This isn’t optional. That tiny tag you ignore? It tells you exactly what temperature, cycle, and drying method your sweater can handle. Terms to look out for:
- Hand wash only = no machine, no agitation
- Dry flat = air dry only
- Cold wash = under 30°C
- Do not tumble dry = self-explanatory
If it says “dry clean only,” don’t test it unless you’re ready to risk shrinkage.
Step 2: Always Wash Cold
Never use hot water for sweaters or anything with natural fibers. Cold water is gentler, prevents fiber contraction, and still gets clothes clean when used with the right detergent. Set your washer to 30°C or lower every time.
Step 3: Use a Gentle or Wool Cycle
If your machine has a setting for “delicates,” “wool,” or “hand wash,” use it. These cycles use less agitation and spin, reducing the risk of shrinking. If your washer doesn’t have this setting, hand wash the item instead.
Step 4: Choose the Right Detergent
Regular detergent is too harsh for wool, cashmere, and delicate sweaters. Use a mild or wool-specific detergent that’s pH-neutral. These protect natural fibers and help preserve softness and shape.
Avoid bleach and brighteners completely—they degrade fabric, especially in light colors.
Step 5: Don’t Wring—Press
After washing, your instinct might be to wring out the water. Don’t. Wringing stretches and distorts fabric. Instead, lay the sweater flat on a clean towel, roll it up, and gently press to remove water. Then unroll and lay it flat to dry.
Step 6: Lay Flat to Dry
Hanging wet sweaters is a one-way ticket to stretched-out necks and uneven shapes. Always dry flat on a clean, dry towel or mesh drying rack. Reshape the garment while damp. Let it air dry completely—no shortcuts.
If you’re in a hurry, place a fan nearby. Still better than using a dryer.
Step 7: Skip the Dryer Entirely
The dryer is your sweater’s worst enemy. Even the “low” setting can cause shrinkage. The heat contracts fibers, and tumbling distorts shape. Just avoid it. If you must use a dryer (at your own risk), put the item in a mesh bag, use no heat, and monitor it constantly.
Step 8: What to Do If You Shrink It Anyway
If you already shrunk a sweater, you might be able to reverse some of it. Try this:
- Fill a sink with lukewarm water
- Add a tablespoon of baby shampoo or hair conditioner
- Soak sweater for 30 minutes
- Gently stretch while wet
- Lay flat on a towel and reshape
- Let it air dry
It won’t restore it completely, but you might recover enough size to make it wearable again.
Step 9: Store It Right
How you store your sweaters affects how they age. Fold them instead of hanging. Hanging stretches out the shoulders and neckline over time. Stack neatly in drawers or shelves. If moths are an issue, store with cedar blocks or lavender sachets.
Know Your Fabric Before You Wash
Here’s a cheat sheet:
- Cotton: Wash cold, air dry. Shrinks with heat.
- Wool: Hand wash or wool cycle only. Never wring.
- Cashmere: Extremely delicate. Always wash cold.
- Acrylic: Less shrink-prone but can stretch out.
- Blends (cotton/poly, wool/acrylic): Treat based on the most delicate fiber in the mix.
Not sure what you’re dealing with? Default to cold wash, gentle detergent, and air drying.
Bonus: Refresh Without Washing
Sweaters don’t need to be washed often. Unless it’s stained or smells, you can wear a sweater 4–5 times before washing. Between wears:
- Air it out overnight
- Use a fabric spray
- Steam to kill bacteria and release wrinkles
Less washing = less risk of shrinking.
Let a Pro Handle It
If you’ve got high-end knits, designer sweaters, or sentimental items, don’t take chances. Hand them off to a reliable laundry in London service. They know how to wash delicate garments without wrecking the size, texture, or structure. You won’t get that guarantee from your home washer.
Final Word: It’s About Control
Shrinking clothes isn’t bad luck—it’s bad process. If you wash with cold water, use the right detergent, and ditch the dryer, your sweaters will stay soft, fitted, and wearable for years. You don’t need to avoid wearing them—you just need to stop destroying them in the laundry room.