To wonder how to stop my clothes shrinking in the wash?

[buzzheath]

I don't understand why this keeps happening. I wash clothes as recommended on the label. Underwear in particular shrinks a lot - but surely underwear has to be washed at 40C? I buy cotton, linen, viscose, polyamide.

What am I doing wrong? Does anyone else find this and how do you solve it?

First of all, it’s fine to use cold water - in many countries like Australia everyone washes everything in cold water.

But 40 degrees should not shrink stuff. Do you use a tumble dryer?

Nope, no tumble dryer! I do put them on a spin cycle something after the wash cycle is over, but as far as I'm aware that shouldn't shrink them.

You're shrinking polyamide at 40 degrees? Maybe the thermostat has one in your washing machine, because that's literally not possible.

Sorry, it's the cotton, viscose and linen that's shrinking!

That is odd. I personally only do a gentle spin as I think too much spin can damage clothes - but would be more concerned about stretching rather than shrinking.

Hmm - maybe vigorous spinning can actually cause shrinkage. Interesting article here:

https://www.housedigest.com/1507177/laundry-speed-mistake-causes-clothes-shrink-fast-spinning-mode/

No, underwear does not need to be washed at 40 degrees.

i wash everything in cold, no shrinkage, no thrush, no anything. I only up the temperature if needed.

I wash everything at 40° but on a delicate cycle. Because the load hasn't had that last fast spin, stuff comes out a little more damp but not as 'crispy' and dries more naturally/keeps it's shape. Maybe give that a try.

Viscose particularly needs ironing after washing. Perhaps iron things and they will regain shape.

I wash everything at 60C and nothing shrinks

The only things I was at more than 30 are sheets and towels. I will also was stuff at 20 or cold if it's not really 'dirty' as such.

I think I'm just an idiot and don't know how to use my washing machine. I have a blomberg one. I don't understand when people say "wash on a delicate cycle but 40C".

Here's a pic of mine - grateful for any help!

What setting do you use when you're just doing regular daily/weekly laundry i.e. washing a variety of things like cotton underwear, cotton trousers, viscose/linen/cotton blends, maybe with some elastane or polyamide?

i only ever use a cold wash.

I wash all my clothes on the synthetic cycle at 40 degrees. I might give them an extra spin at 1200 sometimes. I haven't noticed anything shrinking.

For towels and sheets, I will wash them on a cottons cycle at 60 degrees. Again no shrinking seen.

I wash linen at 90 and it doesn't shrink. Something weird going on here.

Certain types of viscose can only be drip dried if your don't want shrinkage (of course the shops don't flag this up because who wants drip dry nonsense). As PP said upthread, spinning messes with the fabric.

It's the slightly stiffer stuff, rather than the really soft jersey-type. I have learned this the hard way and won't buy anything made of it any more.

I don't understand the cotton though.

Are you using the red settings?

I don't understand this either. Synthetic fabrics maybe but cotton and linen certainly shouldn't shrink. I wash everything (even underwired bras) at at least 40c, many things at 60c, and I put everything on a 1400rpm spin and I can't remember the last time anything shrunk.

Obviously woolens and silks wouldn't get washed like this but it's a very long time since I've had anything like that!

At 90?!

No, never.

What temperature do you wash at? 30 degrees?

Is your machine thermostat ok?
I've never had cotton shrink especially at 40
polyamide/ nylon is very durable so I find that unlikely

i wash cotton/ linen at 40( bedding towels at 60) 1400 double spin and have never shrunk anything

Viscose and linen do have a small shrink rate on first wash.

I found this out when I bought a pair of trousers in each of these fabrics and both were shorter after the first wash.

I only wash linen in the hand wash cycle now. I honestly think that fabrics are not pre shrunk these days like they were back in the day.

Viscose is notorious for shrinking. That isn't new. You have do iron them back to shape and size when the item is still a bit damp.

Underwear, bedding and towels I wash at 60° on a mixed wash setting.

On a not so breezy/sunny day I'll even do an extra spin once it's gone through the wash cycle, never had anything shrink.

Are the timings of the wash settings you use long?