100% cotton T-shirts keep shrinking! Help!

[Remobz]

Hey,

I am tired of my cotton T-shirts shrinking

What type of material should I look for to avoid this?

Gonna buy new T-shirts.


This is an example of the type I was buying.


http://www.amazon.com/Nike-407997-06...s=nike+tshirts

 

[TridenT]

Wash cold and air dry?

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Wash cold and air dry?

This.

 

[KeithTalent]

Wash cold and air dry?

Yep.

KT

 

[Markbnj]

Cotton is the only thing worth wearing, as far as I'm concerned. Just buy a size or so larger than you need. Many cotton fabrics are prewashed so they no longer shrink as much, or at all, but perhaps tshirts aren't.

 

[lxskllr]

Cotton is the only thing worth wearing, as far as I'm concerned. Just buy a size or so larger than you need. Many cotton fabrics are prewashed so they no longer shrink as much, or at all, but perhaps tshirts aren't.

This. I won't wear anything but natural fibers against my skin. I also don't have issues with my Tshirts, and I mostly wear cheap crap from the thrift shop. Of course, I also don't wear 'designer' fitted(LoL!) Tshirts. I get XL, and I've never had one that didn't fit. Some are bigger, some are smaller, but they all fit.

 

[unokitty]

Hey,

I am tired of my cotton T-shirts shrinking

What type of material should I look for to avoid this?

Gonna buy new T-shirts.


This is an example of the type I was buying.


http://www.amazon.com/Nike-407997-06...s=nike+tshirts

I've had good luck with Land End's Super-T.

Then again, I normally machine wash and hang outside to dry...

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[Printer Bandit]

same here. i keep thinking i'm getting fatter.

 

[shortylickens]

Get one size larger, shrink them deliberately.

It works for me.

 

[who?]

That Nike dri-fit cotton is only 62% cotton the rest is polyester with some spandex mixed in. Are you following the washing instructions on the tag?

 

[angminas]

Get one size larger, shrink them deliberately.

It works for me.

I came here to say this.

 

[rudder]

buy polyester shirts.... duh.

 

[Raizinman]

I always buy larger. The cheaper the shirt, the larger the size, because the more it will shrink. I find quality T-shirts rarely shrink and if they do, only a little bit. I've also had luck stretching out shrunken T-shirts by pulling them back into their original size. Often they will stay in that shape.

 

[Childs]

Wash cold and air dry?

I've found drying on low works fine. Even then I only dry for 20-30 min max depending on how big of a load I'm drying. You can also stretch them back out after washing and before drying.

There are other reasons to wash on cold besides shrinkage. You can minimize color fading on cold. There is also an energy savings when you don't use hot water. Unless the item is really dirty and really light in color, cold washing should be fine.

 

[IronWing]

Eat less, exercise more.

 

[zerocool84]

I've found drying on low works fine. Even then I only dry for 20-30 min max depending on how big of a load I'm drying. You can also stretch them back out after washing and before drying.

There are other reasons to wash on cold besides shrinkage. You can minimize color fading on cold. There is also an energy savings when you don't use hot water. Unless the item is really dirty and really light in color, cold washing should be fine.

Drying on low will still shrink 100% cotton. Best to just let them hang dry.

 

[Childs]

Drying on low will still shrink 100% cotton. Best to just let them hang dry.

I don't dry them all the way through, when I pull them out they are still damp, just not wet. I haven't noticed any shrinking..at least not to the point where its down a full size.

 

[mrjminer]

Cotton shrinks with heat. Washing cold and air drying is way too much work for something underneath your normal clothing. Just get larger shirts.

 

[Leros]

Also, don't buy cheap t-shirt. I've started buying only tri-poly blends. They're more expensive, when you take into account how long they lost, they're actually cheaper.

 

[tn_outside]

Seriously?
Like everyone else said:

Wash in cold water.

Air dry or use gentle dryer cycle.

But isn't it better to expect shrinkage and buy shirts one size large to account for shrinkage? They only shrink so much...

 

[tn_outside]

"Cotton is the only thing worth wearing, as far as I'm concerned."

Total bunk!

I prefer 100% cotton for a lot of things. And NOT for other things. Like suits. Or long-underwear. Or winter coats. Or sleeping bags. Cotton retains moisture, does not wick moisture away from the body, and will make you cold, wet, hypothermic, and kill you. It is very heavy when wet and can be very hot in the summer.

So for many situations Synthetic fabrics are superior.

 

[Puppies04]

The last several generations of westerners have had this problem, unfortunately it isn't the T-Shirts getting smaller....

 

[zerocool84]

"Cotton is the only thing worth wearing, as far as I'm concerned."

Total bunk!

I prefer 100% cotton for a lot of things. And NOT for other things. Like suits. Or long-underwear. Or winter coats. Or sleeping bags. Cotton retains moisture, does not wick moisture away from the body, and will make you cold, wet, hypothermic, and kill you. It is very heavy when wet and can be very hot in the summer.

So for many situations Synthetic fabrics are superior.

Cotton boxers or nothing. My junk needs to breath.

 

[Markbnj]

"Cotton is the only thing worth wearing, as far as I'm concerned." Total bunk!

You're right about certain items, and especially outdoor gear. I mean, you didn't really think I was wearing a cotton windbreaker, did you? My shoes also are not cotton.

 

[Red Squirrel]

On similar subject, anyone know how to stop jeans from getting so rigid and hipster tight after washing?

I hate washing my jeans because it takes a long time before they feel comfortable again, and then it's time to wash them again. New ones are the worse, they feel practically like cardboard.