Article: How to Wash Your Hoodie So It Doesn't Shrink
How to Wash Your Hoodie So It Doesn't Shrink
You buy a hoodie that fits perfectly, wash it once, and suddenly it's smaller or oddly shaped. It's happened to you, and you're not alone — it's one of the most common complaints with cotton hoodies. Let's look at why it happens and, more importantly, how to prevent it.
Why cotton hoodies shrink
Cotton is a natural fiber, and natural fibers have memory — meaning they tend to return to their original state when exposed to heat and moisture. During manufacturing, the fabric gets stretched to shape it. When you wash it in hot water or throw it in the dryer, those fibers "remember" their original shape and contract. That's literally what shrinking is.
It's not a flaw in the garment itself — it's how cotton naturally behaves. The difference is how much it shrinks and whether that shrinkage is predictable or not.
Key fact: most of the shrinking happens on the first wash. After that, the garment tends to stabilize if you take care of it properly.
The three real causes of shrinking
Water temperature. This is factor number one. Hot or warm water speeds up the contraction of cotton fibers way more than cold water does.
The dryer. Dryer heat is cotton's biggest enemy. Combined with the constant tumbling motion, it shrinks the fabric and can also warp it unevenly — more in some spots than others.
The fabric type and its pre-shrinking treatment. Here's the part almost nobody explains: many garments go through a process called "preshrunk" treatment before they're sewn together. If a brand skips this step, the first-wash shrinkage can be much more sudden and unpredictable.
How to wash your hoodie without shrinking it
Always wash cold. Cold water (86°F/30°C or below) drastically cuts the risk of shrinking without affecting how clean the garment actually gets.
Skip the dryer. Air dry instead, ideally laid flat on a surface. Hanging it on a hanger can warp the shoulders under the weight of the wet fabric.
Turn it inside out before washing. This protects the interior brushing and any exterior graphics or prints from rubbing against other clothes and the drum.
Use a gentle cycle. Aggressive wash cycles create more friction and movement, which also contributes to shrinking and premature wear.
What to do if it's already shrunk
If the damage is already done, there's a trick that sometimes works: soak the garment in lukewarm water with a bit of hair conditioner or fabric softener for 20-30 minutes. This temporarily relaxes the fibers. Then gently stretch the garment by hand to bring back some of its shape and let it dry flat, stretching it slightly every so often while it dries. It won't always recover 100%, but it can improve the result quite a bit.
How we treat cotton at GODS®
At GODS® we use preshrunk heavyweight cotton before making each garment. This means most of the shrinking has already happened at the factory, before the hoodie even reaches you — which cuts down a lot on surprises after the first wash. Still, following the cold wash and no-dryer recommendations is the best way to keep your garment's original fit for a lot longer.
A good hoodie shouldn't surprise you on the first wash. If you take care of the process, the fit you bought is the fit that stays.