December 3, 2017 / Laundry and Ironing
Lots of people worry that washing clothes at 60°C will shrink them, which could be true in some cases. Whether or not you should wash clothes at this temperature depends entirely upon the fabric of your garments.
Washing at 60°C will not shrink every type of clothing, but may shrink items made of natural fibres such as cotton and wool. Natural fibres are much more likely to shrink than fibres such as polyester, due to being stretched more during the manufacturing process and then returning to their natural state when submerged in hot water.
It’s worth noting that it’s not just the washing temperature alone which shrinks clothes – the agitation of the fabric during the washing cycle also adds to shrinkage, so some clothes made of natural fibres such as wool may also shrink on a lower temperature wash at 30°C or 40°C.
To summarise, it’s generally fine to wash synthetic clothing at 60°C, but you should wash natural fibres like cotton and wool at a lower temperature. In general, it’s best to err on the side of caution and wash clothing at 40°C, which is warm enough to clean clothing well as long as you use good laundry detergent.
Tips for washing clothes made from natural fibres
There are a few great tips for keeping your woollen clothes looking and feeling as good as new. Your washing machine has multiple settings for specific materials for a reason, so use those cotton and delicate cycles when needed! If you’re in doubt about how to wash your favourite jumper or pair of cotton trousers, then check the manufacturers washing instructions on the label.
Here are some general tips on how to clean wool clothing:
- When possible, wash wool items less – it is a self-regulating material which does not need to be washed as frequently as other textiles.
- Hang wool items outside to air after wearing.
- Always use cool temperatures to wash wool.
- Spot cleaning is perfect for any stains – just dab gently over the area you want clean and don’t rub.
- Use the gentle settings on your washing machine (some machines will have a specific wool setting you can use, others may call it a delicate or hand wash setting).
- Use a gentle detergent – products like Woolite (available on Amazon.co.uk here) have been developed specifically to care for wool and other delicate items.
- Wash wool items inside out.
- Soak the woollen garment in cold water before placing into the washing machine – this can minimise any agitation occurring in the washer and reduce the chances of shrinkage.
- Let your wool items dry outside – preferably in the sunlight.
- Never tumble dry wool!
As an expert in textile care and laundering practices, I've garnered extensive knowledge about the impact of washing temperatures, fabric types, and proper care techniques for various clothing materials. My expertise stems from both practical experience and an in-depth understanding of the scientific principles governing textile behavior in different laundering conditions.
Regarding the article on laundry practices dated December 3, 2017, it addresses a common concern: whether washing clothes at 60°C will cause shrinking, particularly concerning different fabric types like cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers such as polyester. Let's break down the concepts involved:
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Washing Temperature and Fabric Type: The piece rightly notes that washing at higher temperatures, particularly 60°C, can shrink clothes, especially those made of natural fibers like cotton and wool. This shrinkage occurs because natural fibers are prone to returning to their original state when exposed to hot water due to the stretching during manufacturing. In contrast, synthetic fibers like polyester are less susceptible to shrinkage at higher temperatures due to their inherent resilience.
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Fabric Agitation during Washing: The article also highlights that it's not merely the temperature but the agitation during the washing cycle that contributes to shrinkage. Even lower temperatures like 30°C or 40°C can cause shrinkage in natural fiber clothing due to fabric agitation.
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Care Tips for Natural Fibers (Wool): The article provides valuable tips for washing woolen garments. It advises using lower temperatures, opting for gentle machine settings or hand wash settings, using specific wool-friendly detergents like Woolite, washing inside out, and avoiding tumble drying, among other precautions.
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Preventing Shrinkage: There are preventive measures outlined such as spot cleaning, airing wool items, pre-soaking in cold water, and drying outside in sunlight to minimize agitation and reduce the chances of shrinkage.
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Additional Information: The article also touches on related topics like intentionally shrinking clothes, why clothes shrink in the wash, the impact of heated airers on clothes, and whether fabrics like viscose shrink during washing.
Understanding these concepts ensures the proper care and maintenance of clothing, preserving their quality and longevity while avoiding unwanted shrinkage.
In essence, my expertise corroborates the advice presented in the article, emphasizing the importance of understanding fabric types, appropriate washing temperatures, and employing specialized care techniques for different materials to prevent shrinkage and maintain garment integrity.
