Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Clothing shrinkage during washing results from the combination of heat, water and mechanical action, which release tension in the fibres or cause felting. Wool, viscose and knitted cotton are the most vulnerable. The correct care label symbols – lower temperature, gentle cycle marks and tumble dryer prohibition – are the main way to prevent shrinkage.
Why does clothing shrink during washing?
During yarn and fabric production, fibres are stretched. When the garment gets wet and warm, the fibres return to their more natural, shorter form. This is called relaxation shrinkage and is strongest during the first washes. Wool has an additional mechanism – felting, where the fibre scales interlock. Tumble drying intensifies both effects.
Main causes
- High temperature – during washing and especially drying.
- Strong mechanical action – cotton program, high spin speed.
- Tumble dryer – heat combined with rotation.
- Unstabilised fabric – fabric not pre-treated against shrinkage.
Fabrics most prone to shrinkage
| Fabric | Shrinkage Risk | Main Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | High | Felting from heat and friction |
| Viscose | High | Weak structure when wet |
| Knitted cotton (jersey) | Medium to high | Relaxation of loops |
| Woven cotton | Medium | Relaxation, especially in first washes |
| Linen | Medium | Relaxation of fibres |
| Polyester | Low | Sensitive mainly to high drying temperature |
| Polyamide | Low | Stable but heat sensitive |
Care label symbols that prevent shrinkage
- Lower washing temperature – 30 °C instead of 40 °C or 60 °C.
- One or two lines under the wash tub – gentler mechanical action.
- Hand wash – for wool and delicate knits.
- Crossed-out tumble dryer or tumble dryer with one dot – the most effective protection.
- Flat drying – prevents stretching and deformation.
If the care label is correctly prepared and the consumer follows it, shrinkage should remain within acceptable limits for the fabric.
How the manufacturer tests the sample
Shrinkage can be measured before mass production. Standard tests for dimensional stability during washing and drying follow EN ISO standards (e.g. EN ISO 6330 for domestic washing procedures and EN ISO 5077 for measuring dimensional change). The process typically involves:
- Marking precise length segments on the sample along length and width.
- Washing and drying the sample according to the planned care label instructions.
- Measuring the segments again and calculating the shrinkage percentage.
- If shrinkage is excessive, the care label instructions are softened or the fabric is stabilised.
Large retail chains often have their own shrinkage tolerance requirements and request test reports.
Shrinkage and accessories
Accessories do not shrink like fabric, which creates another issue. If fabric around a zip or elastic shrinks but the zip remains the same length, waves and puckering appear. Similarly, sewn-in labels can pucker if made from materials that shrink differently than the garment. That is why care labels are made from stable materials like satin and taffeta, and for knits – from soft, flexible tapes. More options are available in the woven labels group.
Acceptable shrinkage and fabric stabilisation
Some shrinkage is normal for most natural fibres and accepted in the industry. It becomes a problem when shrinkage changes the garment size – for example, a T-shirt shrinking one size after the first wash. Fabric manufacturers reduce this risk by stabilising: pre-shrinking fabric with steam or water, heat-setting synthetics and treating wool against felting. When buying fabric for a collection, ask your fabric supplier about dimensional stability data. If fabric is not stabilised, cutting can include extra allowance or gentler care label symbols can be chosen.
Elastane and shrinkage
Fabrics with elastane are a special case. Elastane itself does not shrink like cotton but is heat sensitive. High washing or drying temperatures can damage it, causing loss of elasticity, wrinkling and a “shrunk” appearance in places. That is why garments with elastane almost always have care labels with a crossed-out tumble dryer and an iron with one dot.
What consumers can do
- Follow the care label symbols, especially for drying.
- Choose lower temperatures when in doubt.
- Avoid tumble drying wool, viscose and high-elastane garments.
- Shape knits when damp and dry flat.
Shrinkage and claims
Shrunk garments are among the most common reasons for claims in apparel retail. If the care label is correct and the consumer did not follow it, liability is easier to prove. However, if the symbols were too permissive – for example, tumble drying with two dots for viscose – the claim is justified. That is why an accurate care label is also brand protection. See the full labels category.
Polkom – care labels with correct symbols
Polkom is a manufacturer of labels and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We print care labels with fibre content, care symbols and logo, provide samples before production and deliver across the EU. Send your inquiry via the Contacts page.
