How to Stop Cotton From Shrinking

Pre-treat your cotton clothing with a commercial product before laundering. Apply it according to the package directions. Treating the stains before laundering will allow you to avoid the use of hot water to remove stains during the cleaning process, which will prevent cotton shrinkage.

Wash the cotton garments with cold water on the gentle cycle with a mild laundry detergent. Heat is a major contributor to shrinkage, and avoiding it will ensure that your cotton pieces retain their shape.

Remove the items from the wash and gently tug on and shake the garment. This will help remove some of the wrinkles caused by laundering.

Hang the garments to dry on a wooden, plastic or padded hanger or lay them on a towel to dry. Avoid the use of wire hangers, as these can leave unsightly rust stains on your white or lightly colored cotton garments. They will also leave creases on the shoulders of cotton shirts.