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Fabric Shrinkage - Everything You Should Know
Shrinkage isn’t just a laundry accident—it’s a critical factor in fabric performance, merchandising, and production planning. Every merchandiser, sourcing professional, and textile student must understand how shrinkage works, how to test it, and how to prevent it from affecting final garments.
What is Fabric Shrinkage?
Shrinkage is the reduction in fabric dimensions (length or width) after exposure to moisture, heat, or washing.
During fabric manufacturing, fibers are stretched and set under tension. Once exposed to water, steam, or heat, they relax back toward their natural state, leading to shrinkage.
Types of Fabric Shrinkage
1️⃣ Relaxation Shrinkage
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Happens after the first wash when manufacturing tension is released.
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Common in cotton, linen, and other cellulosic fibers.
2️⃣ Progressive Shrinkage
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Occurs gradually over multiple washes.
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Seen in wool, rayon, and viscose.
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Caused by swelling and entanglement of fibers during repeated laundering.
3️⃣ Felting Shrinkage
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Specific to wool and other animal fibers.
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Caused by the surface scales of fibers interlocking under heat, friction, and motion.
Main Causes of Shrinkage
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Fiber Type → Natural fibers shrink more than synthetics.
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Fabric Structure → Loose weaves knit or woven shrink more than compact, tight structures.
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Finishing Quality → Poor or incomplete finishing leads to higher shrinkage rates.
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Heat + Moisture + Agitation → The combination of these three accelerates shrinkage.
Shrinkage Testing Process
The industry follows standard test methods like AATCC 135 or ISO 6330.
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Mark a 50 cm × 50 cm square on the fabric.
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Wash & dry under specified test conditions.
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Measure the final dimensions.
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Apply the formula:
Shrinkage % = [(Original – Final) ÷ Original] × 100
This gives the shrinkage percentage for both length and width.
Typical Acceptable Shrinkage Levels
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Cotton: 2–4%
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Wool: up to 5%
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Polyester: less than 2%
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Blends: 1–3%
Any shrinkage beyond these levels is considered unacceptable in international quality standards.
How to Prevent Shrinkage
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Pre-shrinking techniques like Sanforization or Mercerization.
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Blending natural fibers with synthetics (e.g., cotton-polyester).
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Proper finishing with resin or heat-set processes.
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Following care labels during consumer use.
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Washing advice → cold wash, air dry, gentle cycle.
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Ironing on low heat to reset shape if shrinkage occurs.
Consumer Tips
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Always read and follow garment care labels.
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Avoid hot water washes and tumble drying at high temperatures.
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Air dry garments to reduce fabric stress.
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For wool and delicate fibers, use gentle cycles or dry cleaning when advised.
Shrinkage can’t always be eliminated—but it can be controlled with proper textile knowledge, pre-treatments, and finishing strategies. For professionals in the apparel supply chain, understanding shrinkage ensures fewer rejections, better quality control, and improved customer satisfaction.
For more updates on fabric behavior and quality management
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