Clothes keep shrinking is my washing machine faulty?

[MetaWhat]

My clothes keep shrinking (legs and arms going really short, too, so it's not that I've just put on weight!) even though I always wash on a 'mixed fabrics' setting either 40 or 30 degrees. I got a new washing machine about a year ago. Is it possible I'm doing something wrong e.g. overloading or something? Or likely a problem with the machine itself? I'm getting really frustrated and loads of my clothes are ruined. Any advice welcome!

Do you tumble dry?

@pastabest No I don't tumble dry my clothes!

One of my old washing machines used to just throw in a random boil wash for fun. We had quite a few miniature items of clothing before we gave up and bought a new one 🙈

It’s clothes these days 🙁 cheap fabrics, of not at cheap prices.

@hopeclearwater yeah clothes aren't as good quality but its just strange that some of the clothes I've had for years and now suddenly they've shrunk, like why all of sudden after I've been washing the same way all this time!? Its annoying!

@snowone aaargh what a nightmare! I wonder if the same thing has happened with mine then 🤔

I wash all clothes in cold water. It's better for your clothes and the environment.

Hi, I've been through this hell with a brand new Bosch washing machine purchased two years ago. Lost entire wardrobes of clothing. Bought from AO and really disputed till I was blue in the face. Their argument was :we've tested the water temperature and its accurate, not overheating.

So I can tell you what it was : the spin cycles on these stupid new high tech machines damages the fibre. You have to lower the spin.
I replaced the awful machine with a Siemens which also spun as if about to take off, so I only wash on the "shirts" cycle, and then reduce spin from 14 down to 8 or 6 rpm.

Hope that helps. It's so upsetting I know.

Oh that makes sense!! Thank you @stirling I will reduce the spin and see if I can salvage what's left of my wardrobe! On my machine the spin speeds are 1200/1000/800/600 which do you think would be safe (but also effective!)?

@MetaWhat - mine has 600,900,1200,1500 , I spin most things on 600, but bedding and towels on 900. Never any higher.

@nearlyadoctor thank you! I will do the same then. Boggles the mind why they put such fast spins on the machines if they know it destroys clothes!!

That’s a brilliant answer
Going to switch mine from 1200 to 800
Thanks!

Hi, yes 800 is best. Never higher
600 is an option but not enough water eliminated.
Good luck

Yes, 800 for delicates, which are marked with two lines under the laundry temperature symbol. 1200 is fine for clothes marked with one or no lines which in the past was most clothes but I've noticed more and more are labelled as delicates these days.

Having said that, although high speeds can cause damage and holes it's still more likely that it's too high a heat that is causing shrinking. If things are shrinking in a 30 wash I'd be wondering if the thermostat was faulty tbh.

Been doing the washing for 37 years now and never had items shrunk by a fast spin. I wash acrylic jumpers and anything delicate on the delicate cycle which is a gentle wash and a slow spin. Most of my washing ie bedding towels cotton undies tee shirts jeans etc goes in the standard cycle with spin speed 1200 and nothing shrinks.
IMO this is more likely to be a fault with the washer and it's washing too hot.

What fabrics are your clothes? I find that viscose needs a 30 degree max delicates wash, then reshaping before hanging. 100% cotton or 95% cotton/ 5% elastane is ok on 40 degrees with a 1200 spin, wool needs max 30 degrees on the wool cycle. I don't buy polyester so am not sure about that but would follow what the label states.

@MetaWhat

Oh that makes sense!! Thank you *@stirling* I will reduce the spin and see if I can salvage what's left of my wardrobe! On my machine the spin speeds are 1200/1000/800/600 which do you think would be safe (but also effective!)?

I spin on 1200, only delicates on 600. Nothing has shrunk. I think your machine must be washing at too high a temperature.