Uniforms worn once a week for clubs can be worn for more than one week. School uniform can be worn for more than one day (unless its got dinner down it!) and if you wipe muddy trousers off with a cloth and they’re good for another day. However, when I check the clothing my kids throw in the wash it rarely needs washing every time. There are some clothes that need frequent washing – pants, socks and sports kits generally need washing after every use. The Tutti Frutti Clothing Eco Guide to Laundry 1. I have previously written about why I do not use synthetic fabric any more in a blog post about my mermaid leggings, which were made from polyester or nylon.Īs well as preventing too much shrinkage, washing correctly is also better for the environment. But those fabrics are not breathable and use many chemicals in their production they are bad for the environment. The only clothing that will not shrink it made from synthetic fabrics - polyester or nylon for example. Tutti Frutti Clothing care labels state to wash at 30, line dry and iron on a cool temperature. After that first wash, they shouldn’t shrink again if you follow the care label. How Do I Stop Cotton Clothing Shrinking?Ĭotton clothing will always shrink a small amount on the first wash and so I cut my clothing to allow for 5% shrinkage. The more heat you use, the more the more the clothing shrinks. Hot water, heat from the tumble dryer and even steam causes the fabric to relax and as such the cotton shrinks. And that is pretty much what happens with the cotton. I can straighten it as much as I like but as soon as I wash it…poof….its a big, curly mess once again. My hair is actually a pretty good example. However, given half the chance, that cotton will want to return to its natural state. Tension is applied to it as it is stretched, knitted and woven into the cloth. To make the knitted, flat fabric that I turn unto the leggings you love, that natural curly fibre needs to be stretched out. In it’s natural state, cotton is a fluffy ball that grows on a plant. Cotton is a natural fibre, and like all natural fibres – wool, silk and cotton - it will shrink when it mixes with heat. The usual fabric content is 95% cotton and 5% elastane. The clothes I make are made from fabric that is a mix of cotton and elastane. Why does this happen? What makes them shrink on that first wash? Not only with our clothes but with our children’s clothing. It’s annoying and frustrating, yet it happens time and time again. You buy a nice new t-shirt, wear it, wash it and then when you come to wear it again it’s too small. Looking after our clothing properly prolongs its life cycle – it is wearable for longer, can be passed onto friends or family, or even resold. We might as well get this question out the way early on.the simple answer is like every other garment you own that contains cotton, our leggings will shrink a bit on the first wash.īut (there is always a but isn’t there?!) if you look after them properly then they won't be noticeably smaller and they shouldn't be unwearable after one wash.
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