Air Drying Whether you hand wash or use the washing machine, you'll get the best results by drying your cotton clothing without heat. High temperatures are the quickest way to shrink your cotton clothes.
Your best bet is to hang dry, but that's not always practical depending on your climate and living circumstances, so next best is to dry on low heat (some dryers have an ``air dry'' or ``line dry'' setting) for a short while, about 15 or 20 minutes depending on the size of the load, and then hang.
Cotton Garments
Cotton clothes can generally survive being machine-dried, but pay close attention to their size and blend. Those made of 100% cotton may shrink in a dryer so it's better to air-dry them. Heavy items like beddings and towels can be tumble dried at medium to high heat to ease the process.
100% cotton is indeed prone to shrinkage, but the extent can vary. Factors like the quality of the cotton, the tightness of the weave, and any pre-shrinking treatments play a role. That said, if you toss a 100% cotton item in a hot dryer, chances are it'll come out a bit smaller than it went in.
Just keep an eye on the temperature settings; high heat can cause cotton to shrink. It's best to use a moderate or low setting for optimal fabric care. To ensure your cotton clothes stay in top shape, clean out the lint trap before starting each drying cycle.
The chance of cotton shrinking increases the warmer you wash. At 90 degrees, the fabric will shrink more than at 60 degrees. Do you want to prevent shrinkage? Then preferably wash lower than 60 degrees.
Recent research shows that new dryers use significantly less energy to dry most typical loads on low heat than on high heat, even though the dryer runs longer. If you aren't in a rush, let the clothes run longer on low heat. This will save energy and is gentler on clothes.
Some fabrics, like cotton, can shrink in the wash. If you're worried about this happening, you may want to consider sizing up to ensure a good fit even after washing. Ultimately, the decision to size up or not comes down to personal preference and the style you are trying to achieve.
It's best to remove cotton garments while they're damp, hang them up, and let them finish air-drying on a clothes-drying rack.
Sometimes the label will indicate whether the fabric has been preshrunk, but many times it doesn't. If you are purchasing an item online, check the product description. Many times it will indicate if it has been preshrunk. These days, however, higher quality t-shirts and cotton garments are assumed to be preshrunk.
If your item's label says not to tumble dry, it's best not to, even with zero heat. The tumbling movement could create wrinkles which will be hard to remove without heat. Tumbling without heat could also cause shrinkage after washing.
Release Wrinkles in the Dryer
For items like shirts and pants that are wrinkled all over (as opposed to small areas, such as collars), putting them back in the dryer can get the job done. This trick works best for cotton clothing but can work for cotton blends as well. It can even smooth out wrinkles in bamboo sheets.
Cotton clothing should be washed every two to three times it's worn, depending on how soiled the item is.
To preserve the quality of your cotton garments, use low to medium heat settings when using a dryer. To further reduce wrinkles, add a few clean, dry towels or dryer balls to the dryer. This helps separate the cotton items and promotes even drying. Remove the cotton items promptly once the dryer cycle is complete.
All-cotton jeans are not “stretchy.” When you put them on for the first time, they are likely to feel tight and rather unforgiving. New 100% cotton jeans may constrict your movement, and some people even say that they are “painful” to wear at first.
Preparing the cotton shirt
If you want a super crisp look, begin with turning the shirt inside out. Iron the inside of the shirt first before turning it in the correct way and ironing the outside of the shirt. This technique is particularly effective for heavyweight cottons.
While natural fibers aren't usually wrinkle resistant, cotton can be specially treated to prevent wrinkles and save you time and effort during the clean and care process.
All you need is a handful of ice. By adding some ice cubes to your laundry in the dryer, you generate more stream which knocks the wrinkles right out of the fabric. When you open the dryer at the end of its cycle, you should have ready-to-wear, wrinkle-free clothes.
They're just as effective as my trusted dryer sheets
My clothes came out static- and wrinkle-free and just as soft as they felt after a turn with my regular dryer sheets.
Does 100% cotton shrink every time you wash it? Cotton typically shrinks the most during its first wash, but it can still shrink a bit more if it's exposed to high heat over time.
In addition to comfort, the durability of 100% cotton t-shirts is a significant advantage. They're made to last, withstanding regular wear and frequent washing without losing their shape or softness.
Start by saturating the cotton shirt with hot water, making sure that excess water is thoroughly saturated. Then, using both hands, gently tug the fabric until it's the desired size. You may need to do this a few times to get the desired effect.
How long should a dryer take to dry? A typical drying cycle takes about 45 minutes, but this time can vary depending on the cycle, heat setting and size of your load. Delicate cycles take roughly 15 minutes, while heavy cycles, like bedding, can take up to three hours to fully dry.
If you are looking for extra softening effects and added fragrance, dryer sheets may be the better option; however, if you have allergies, dryer balls may help to spare irritations. For moisture-wicking fabrics such as activewear, microfiber and absorbent towels, dryer balls may work better than dryer sheets.
What does “do not tumble dry” mean? Certain garments shouldn't go in the dryer at all. Subjected to high temperatures, silk may shrink, wool and knitwear may pill and undergarments may shrink or lose their shape. Learn more about how to prevent pilling on your clothes.