How to Avoid Shrinking Cotton Sweaters

Cotton clothes are notorious for shrinking and have a bad reputation. In truth, though, many cotton products are now pre-washed before they are sold to the consumer because most of the shrinkage happens in that first wash. However, if your favorite cotton sweater was not pre-washed, as indicated on the consumer label, or if the sweater just fits and you can't bare any shrinking, take a few steps to avoid any possible future shrinkage.

Laundry screen

Instructions

- 1
  Launder cotton sweaters in the washing machine on the gentle cycle in cold water. Use your regular laundry soap, using an appropriate amount for the load as indicated on the detergent's label. You can also hand wash cotton sweaters in cold water to help avoid shrinking.
- 2
  Buy a cotton sweater blended with a synthetic fabric such as polyester. Synthetic fabrics reduce both shrinkage and wrinkling.
- 3
  Lay your sweater flat on a drying screen to dry it; hanging may cause stretching. According to Cotton Incorporated, the tumbling in the dryer causes shrinkage, not the heat. If you want to remove the wrinkles, you can dry your cotton sweater in the dryer for only five minutes, then lay it flat on a drying screen.
- 4
  Dry clean your cotton sweater. Dry cleaned clothes typically do not shrink. This will also protect any embellishments on the sweater, such as beading.

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