Can Polyester Shrink in Dryer? How to Wash and Dry Safely

Introduction: Polyester and Its Properties

Polyester is considered as one of the most common synthetic fabrics used in the world. It is made of petroleum based polymers, which provide it with great durability and strength. Polyester is a fabric that is made to withstand wrinkles, color and shape despite repeated washing compared to natural fabrics like cotton or wool. These attributes have made it a popular preference in clothing, sporting, and textile products.

The material is also widely used due to its cheapness and ease of care as opposed to the delicate material such as silk or wool. Polyester garments can be worn by you frequently with no fear of the garments going to shape. Nevertheless, regardless of these advantages, one major question that bothers several individuals is, can polyester shrink in dryer?

This is a matter of concern since polyester is heat sensitive. It does not reduce in size as easily as natural material, but the incorrect use of washing and drying processes may lead to an observable loss of size. Learning how and why polyester shrinks will make you avoid damage and prolong the life of your clothes.

Can Polyester Shrink in the Dryer?

Yes, polyester does shrink in the dryer, but under some circumstances. Polyester is a manmade fiber and therefore it does not act like cotton and wool. Polyester does not shrink easily as opposed to these natural fabrics. Nevertheless, it is not totally shrink-proof.

Heat is the significant cause of shrinkage in polyester. Fibers made out of polyester can become tight and contract when subjected to high temperatures of the dryer. This most commonly occurs when garments are washed a number of times at full blast dry settings. Proper care techniques will ensure that you do not experience this problem.

Thus, machine drying with polyester can be regarded as safe, but still, care should be taken. You should never forget that improper environments can result in permanent shrinking of your favorite polyester clothing.

What Causes Polyester to Shrink?

Infographic showing four main factors that cause polyester to shrink: — **Key factors that lead to polyester shrinkage**

Exposure to heat (High Temperatures)

The greatest cause of polyester shrinkage is high heat. Polyester fibers melt at approximately 250 o C (482 o F), although it will begin tightening at lower temperatures. Washing or drying above approximately 140 o C (60 o C) may cause the polyester chains to shrink during cooling. The Spruce observes high-temperature polyester is unstable and that it will shrink upon over-drying. The polyester should not be subjected to dryer settings where there is a history of hot or high and this may cause the fibers to shrink.

Repeated Drying Cycles

Frequency of heat cycles is another factor. Polyester may also tighten its fibers a little every time it is subjected to heat in the dryer. Washing and drying in heat (even moderate heat) repeated cycles can have cumulative effects of shrinkage than a single wash. In time, numerous dryings can strain the fibers and permit them to relax into a smaller size. Even though polyester is unaffected by any single cycle, repeated cycles, particularly when it comes to warm or hot settings, exposes it to the danger of cumulative shrinkage.

Fabric Blends (Other Fibers and Cotton)

Polyester mixed with natural fibers is more prone to shrinkage. In one instance, a polyester cotton combination may shrink since cotton, which is the second component, naturally contracts in heat dragging the polyester. Cotton alone has the ability to shrink 3-7 percent and therefore blends will shrink as well. Likewise mixtures with rayon or spandex will also be influenced by the action of the said fibers. Polyester-rayon and polyester-spandex fibers tend to shrink less than polyester-cotton, although any natural or stretchy fiber in the blend will alter the overall behavior to heat. Differently put, mixtures with larger proportions of natural material would shrink slightly more in the heat.

How Much Can Polyester Shrink in the Dryer?

Shrinkage Range (Extreme Heat)

Polyester may also shrink by a few percent under extreme conditions of high heat (far beyond standard laundry conditions). The shrinkage of polyester at high temperature is regarded by manufacturers as normal in the range of 1-3%. Practically, this can result in a garment being a little shorter or thinner, but the difference can usually be hardly noticed. Most polyester shirts shrank only approximately 2 percent even when harsh tumble drying was used in our experiments. Cotton, on the other hand, may contract by 5-10 percent of the same conditions. Shortly put, polyester has a low shrinkage rate (most commonly less than 5%) even in a hot dryer.

100% Polyester vs. Blends

Pure polyester (100 percent) tends to shrink less than alloys. This is because the fabric does not shrink because of the absence of natural fibers. In comparison, a polyester-cotton fabric (such as 50/50) will shrink further since the cotton element is the one that does the shrinking. As an example, a 50/50 tee may shrink a few percent, but the same shirt in 100% polyester may hardly move at all. In blends, the percentage of the shrinkage is about the percentage of natural fibers. In such a way polyester entirely: shrinkage is negligible; polyester mixtures: the shrinkage is slightly greater (because of the presence of other fibers).

Does 100% Polyester Shrink in the Dryer?

100% Polyester Shrinkage Resistance

A 100 percent polyester piece of clothing is fashioned in such a manner that it maintains its shape. It is heat-stable because of the tightly bonded polymer chains. Polyester according to one expert guide is designed not to shrink and it is not easy to get wet. Therefore, a polyester shirt or dress should not shrink much when exposed to normal use of dryers (low or medium heat). Even the slightest shrinking will only occur when extremely high dryer temperatures are used. Practically, polyester of high quality, or, indeed, polyester of high quality, is particularly stable. The Spruce cautions that polyester can only shrink when over-dried on high heat.

Polyester-Cotton vs. 100 percent Polyester.

In comparison, adding cotton causes the garment to be more likely to shrink. Blends of polyester and cotton shrink much easier than pure polyester. As an example, the polyester fibers may remain fixed, but the cotton fibers will drag the cloth around as they get heated. This implies that a 100 per cent polyester shirt will retain its size more than a 50/50 polyester-cotton shirt in the same dryer environment. It is cotton or other natural fibers in blends that cause them to shrink more, rather than polyester.

How to Prevent Polyester from Shrinking in the Dryer

To make polyester clothes not shrink, you can follow some easy steps:

Low Heat or Air-Dry: There is always a low heat or tumble-dry-low setting to use on polyester. A lot of dryers can use a permanent press or delicate option and this is safer than high. Better still, hang or lay flat to air-dry polyester. Cool-air drying entirely eliminates the high heat which produces shrinkage.
Remove While Damp: Do not allow polyester to dry out. Turn off the dryer when clothes are not completely dry and continue their drying by hanging. This helps keep the fibers at high temperature not too long, since it may lead to extra shrink. Wrinkles are also reduced by prompt removal.
Follow Care Labels: Read the care tag on the garment. Safe wash and dry instructions will be listed by the manufacturers. When the label implies that the tumble dry is low or hang dry, then do so. Shrinkage will be minimized by using suggested settings (e.g. cool wash, permanent press cycle). The simplest method to determine how hot you can safely wash and dry that polyester item is checking the label.

How to Shrink Polyester Intentionally (If Desired)

Should you wish to shrink a polyester product smaller (say a garment is unwieldy), use heat to shrink it. Note: The process may cause weakening of the fabric in a long run. Only do this if needed.

Step 1 -Hot Water Wash: Wash polyester garment in hot water (approximately 140oF/ 60oC or the maximum heat of your washer). Agitate the fibers by use of a vigorous cycle. The agitation and heat will make the polyester fibers, which are in the stretched position, to relax.

Step 2 -High Heat Dry: Move the wet clothing to the dryer. Preheat it to the maximum temperature and roll it. The heat and tumbling will cause the fibers to shrink because of the cooling. Periodically check after every 5-10 minutes to check the extent to which it has reduced. Keep on till you have obtained the required size.

Step 3- Cool and Check Fit: When you think it is big enough, take it out and allow it to cool to room temperature (shrinkage sets in as it cools). Try it on to confirm the fit. Should it still be too large you can repeat the procedure: wash hot again and dry on high, though remember that with each cycle, the fibers become a little weaker.

Caution – Damage to fabrics: It is important to keep in mind that polyester fibers can deteriorate or distort in case of extreme heat. The repeated rough treatment or overheating may cause the fabric to become brittle or uneven. So never leave the dryer unattended when it is on the hottest option, and never iron the polyester once it has shrunk (it can melt). The process should always be monitored in order to avoid accidental damages.

Does Polyester Shrink in the Washing Machine?

Washing vs. Drying Shrinkage Polyester has less chances of shrinking in the washing machine than the dryer. Washing cycle is normally carried out with controlled water temperature that does not attain extreme heat. Nonetheless, the shrinkage may still take place when hot water is repeatedly used in washes. In sum, the dryer, in comparison to the washing machine is still a bigger risk factor.

Polyester Blends and Shrinkage

50/50 Polyester-Cotton Blends

Even 50/50 (50 percent cotton, 50 percent polyester) will diminish more than pure polyester due to the presence of cotton. Cotton is subject to natural wash/dry shrinkage of 3-7 percent, therefore a half-cotton garment would shrink 2-4 percent (especially 2-4 percent) in a hot dryer. It continues to shrink to not more than 100 percent cotton, since the polyester is used to stabilize it. Either way, follow the same advice: cold wash, and tumble low to reduce shrink.

Polyester-Rayon Blends

Rayon (semi-synthetic) will shrink on its own rather easily. With a polyester-rayon mix, a little shrinkage is to be anticipated at the cost of heat, but it is frequently not a lot. Easy care is a reason why many tri-blend T-shirts (polyester/cotton/rayon) are selected. There are even one industry sources that refer to polyester/rayon mixtures as wash-and-wear fabrics that do not shrink significantly. Nevertheless, when the rayon concentration is great (such as 50 or above), proceed with caution: cool water washing and air-drying (where you are not sure).

Polyester-Spandex (Elastane) Blends.

Blends with spandex (Lycra/ elastane) are different. The spandex provides elasticity and polyester withstands heat. According to one source, an 90 percent poly/10 percent spandex mixture is very resistant to shrinkage. The garment goes back to shape batting the elastic fibers. Polyester-spandex garments seldom shrink in the process of regular laundry or drying. Very high heat may however be detrimental to the elastic, hence continue to use light settings. In short, polyester-spandex mixtures do not shrink much in regular circumstances.

Best Ways to Wash and Dry Polyester Clothes

These are the care and washing recommendations to follow on polyester garments:

Washing Guide

Machine Wash-cold or warm water: Select your washer to be set to cold or lukewarm water. Do not use very hot or boiling water. Warm water has the potential to put pressure on the fibers and cause shrinkage.
Light Cycle: Use a light or permanent press. These cycles are moderately agitated and have slower spin-down, which preserves the fabric and prevents it to shrink and wrinkle.
Mild Detergent: Select a mild, enzyme based detergent. Polyester may be damaged by harsh chemicals or bleach. In case of stain treatment pretreat it with stain remover and do not leave polyester in strong bleach.

Drying Guide

Wash clothes inside out: washing clothes inside out decreases friction to the outer fibers and color maintenance. It works against pilling as well.
Tumble Dry Low or Air Dry: Dry with low-heat or no heat (air-dry). Polyester can be used in a dryer on the medium or low setting (usually on permanent press or tumble dry low). Even better, dry the clothes by air.
Wash Immediately: Laundry should be removed immediately the dryer is completed. This prevents the residual heat and over-shrinking and excessive wrinkling. Smooth or reshape things as required before they cool.

Tips to Extend Fabric Life

Do not Iron in High Heat: Polyester will melt or get out of shape when placed under a hot iron. In case of any ironing, then apply low heat and pressing cloth.
Storage: Polyester should be stored in a cool and dry location in order to retain its shape. Hang dresses or hang suits on a padded hanger and fold knitwear. Wet basements should be avoided and direct sunlight avoided to avoid weakening and fading of the fibers.

Conclusion-

Polyester is a tough and multi-purpose cloth and yet not completely resistant to shrinkage. The answer to the question, can polyester shrink in dryer? is simple, it can and under certain circumstances. The biggest culprit is heat exposure, particularly during polyester blends.

With correct washing and drying practices, such as low heat washing, air drying, and reading care labels you can avoid shrinkage and have your clothes appear new. You can either keep your clothes safe or you can deliberately shrink them to fit better; anyway, with knowledge about the care of polyester, you will achieve the best outcomes.

Polyester is one of the most stable fabrics that are used in the current period. When treated well, your favorite polyester items can be kept comfortable, stylish, and durable in the years.

Read More>> About types of Polyester Fabric.

FAQs

Does polyester shrink every time you dry it?

No. Polyester does not shrink on all dry cycles. It tends to be constant in size with dry low or medium heat. Polyester has to be shrunk several times using extremely high temperatures and over drying to be smaller. Therefore, provided that you set it to soft settings, the cloth will usually retain its size.
Polyester can withstand temperatures of approximately 60 °C (140 F). The fibers are able to

At what temperature does polyester shrink?

become stricter and shrink above this temperature. So do not wash or dry polyester over 140 o F. In practice, all washers on cold or warm (≤ 40°C), and dryers on low-medium are safe.

Does polyester shrink more than cotton?

No – cotton shrinks far more than polyester. Indeed, polyester is one of the fibers which are least likely to shrink. Under extreme conditions, cotton may shrink up to 37 percent in a wash whereas polyester generally can only shrink by 1 to 3 percent. A polyester shirt will nearly always emerge out of the dryer more or less of its original size than a cotton shirt.

Can polyester stretch back after shrinking?

In most cases, after polyester shrinkage, it does not go back to its initial size easily. The contraction is mostly irreversible since the fibers fix in the position when they cool. Dampening and stretching the garment out will help but only partially.