Shrink Prevention Tips?

What are some ways to help prevent my clothes from shrinking when I wash them at home? I have trouble getting pants to not shrink, even when I buy the no-shrink pants. Does cold water help to prevent shrinkage of any clothes item? Hot water? Is there a certain length of time that I should leave things in the dryer? Should I hang things outside to dry? Should I wash everything by hand? Tell me everything you know.

Shrink Prevention Tips?
Wash in cold water and do not dry in dryer.
Reply:Follow the directions on the label on each individual piece of clothing. For the most part if you put things in hot water, if they are cotton they will shrink. Use cold water as much as possible and if you are unsure as to whether or not it will shrink; hang it to dry. Some clothes are dryclean only so look for that on the label too.
Reply:Cold water wash, cold water presoak, and permanent press drying will take longer, but minimize shrink.
Reply:I have never had a problem with pants shrinking. I always have problems with shirts....





My tricks are to wash in cold water then don't dry them in the dryer. Or if you must use the air dry or delicate setting. I always hang dry the stuff that I think will shrink. It works for me.
Reply:DONT WASH WOOL AT HOME....WASH IN WARM AND NOT HOT WATER...TAKE THE STUFF OUT OF THE DRYER WHEN DRY OR HAND WHILE STILL DAMP JUST LEAVE IT IN LONG ENOUGH TO TAKE OUT WRINKLES.... DONT DO IT BY HAND ITS A PAIN IN THE ......NO SHIRINK ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN BACK TO THE STORE IF THEY SHRINK AT ALL.
Reply:cold water,air dry or fluff air dry , use wool lite,try wrapping your tops in a towel and gently rolling it up then laying it on top of a table to air dry, when i hang them out they stretch length wise which i hate, good luck
Reply:Always wash in cold water. Also, put them in the dryer long enough to knock the wrinkles out and then hang them. If you are buying cotton, go up one size. That allows for all the shrinking that will ever take place.
Reply:In general, heat shrinks fabrics. Check the washing instructions on the label. Some things need to be hand washed or washed on gentle cycle. For items like cotton pants and tshirts, wash in cold water on a light (not delicate) cycle, hang to dry overnight, then place in dryer on lowest temperature to fluff them up. Works great for my clothes.
Reply:Use cold wash water. Dry on low. Take clothes that are prone to shrinking out of the dryer early and hang to finish drying.


Have everything that says "Professionally Dry Clean Only" dry cleaned.