Losing weight, on the other hand, is a rite of passage for many people, a difficult period when the most exquisite clothes appear to be shrinking in front of their owners’ eyes. But to what does clothing shrink? It is in this that one finds the rationale behind the processes of fabric contraction as a science. More will be said in this blog on why our clothes shrink, discussing the types of fibers and fabrics, washing and drying impacts and measures whereby we can avoid shrinkage or mitigate it and get the best out of our shrinking clothes anyway.
The Basics of Fabric Structure
This paper, therefore, seeks to analyze why some clothes shrink to help in understanding the structures of fabrics. In fabrics there are fibers which are spun to producer yarns which are then either woven or knitted. It is also important to note that several factors with regard to the behavior of fabrics such as shrinkage are dependent on the type of fiber, construction of yarn and in the manner of fabric construction.
Natural Fibers:
- Cotton: Natural fiber one of the most widely used one is cotton it has very good absorbent qualities but it shrinks when subjected to heat and moisture.
- Wool: The fibers within wool are proteins that are made up of scales the rub together, pull together or lock and this results in the wool shrinking drastically if handled inappropriately.
- Linen: Achieved from the stems of flax plant, linen is vulnerable to shrinking since it effectively apprehends a lot of moisture and the fibers normally compact and release.
Synthetic Fibers:
- Polyester: Despite being a man-made fiber the fabric is not as shrinkage prone, although it may shrink under high temperatures.
- Nylon: Another synthetic fiber that has less tendency to shrink fabric but is sensitive to heat and mechanical treatments.
- Acrylic: Like wool in feel to the touch but stronger, acrylic fibers do not swell as much as those made from wool hence they are less likely to shrink.
Blended Fabrics shrink
Some of the fabrics can so happen to be made of a combination of natural and synthetic fibers; in this case, the shrinkage of the fabrics depends with the proportion and how each fiber type responds.
The Science of Fabric Contraction
Fabric contraction is the reduction in size on garments or fabrics and it mainly is attributed to the relaxation of the fibers after the removal of tension that was put during the making of the fabric. There are three main types of shrinkage:
Relaxation Shrinkage:
This is normally associated with fabrics that are exposed to water, and the material shrinks, happening because the fibers revert to an original state. As it has been mentioned earlier, during manufacturing fibers are stretched, and when exposed to the moisture, they withdraw and shrink.
Felting Shrinkage:
Wool is the most affected material in felting shrinkage, which happens when the scales on the wool fibers interlock due to the action of agitation heat and moisture. This however leads to matting and shrinking of the fabric.
Consolidation Shrinkage:
Consolidation shrinkage on the other hand is a factor due to excessive heat and, moisture that when interact with mechanical action, it lead to fibers to shrinkage. Overall, this type of shrinkage can occur in both natural as well as synthetic fibers though the degree may vary with the type of fiber and the kind of fabric construction.
The Role of Washing and Drying
The kind of washing and drying that is done on the garments plays a big factor on the shrinking of clothes from shrinking down. Due to fabric contraction from the washing and drying conditions, the following summarizes whether the conditions will enhance or reduce the different fabrics contraction.
Temperature:
These two are the major causes of shrinkage, emanating from hot water and high temperatures used while washing and drying cycles. Heat contracts and relaxes the fiber making it shrink and hence making the garment size smaller.
Agitation:
The wash action of washing machines particularly in top loading machines with an agitator, to an extent leads to friction in the moving of the fibres and entanglement resulting in shrinkage. Front-loading machines do not agitate the wash clothes as roughly as the top-loading machines do.
Moisture:
This is because water makes the fibers to relax. As fibers imbibition, fibers increases its size and becomes softer so that it may contract when exposed to both heat and mechanical treatment.
Drying Methods:
Mechanical action and heat of the tumble drying makes garments to shrink by a very big percentage. Air drying is slightly less stressful to the material but it does prevent clothes shrink a bit and this is usually not quite as much as when using heat.
Preventing and Minimizing Shrinkage
However, it is sometimes almost inevitable and the following tips could help you avoid or reduce the effect of shrinkage on your garments.
Read Care Labels:
One should always adhere to the washing and drying instructions given on the tag of the garment. The following instructions are aimed at allowing you to preserve the size and shape of the garments.
Wash in Cold Water temperature
Washing clothes in low heat and cold water decreases the probability of their shrinking since the fibers will not have the chance to rest.
Use Gentle Cycles
Avoid strong or hot water wash to reduce the mechanical friction as this will lead to the fibers getting entangled and contracting.
Air Drying air dry clothes
Hanging or spreading the clothes on different parts of the house to be dried by the air is also better than using a tumble dryer because this may lead to shrinkage of the delicate clothes as that has been encountered in the extra hot temperatures provided by the tumble dryer.
Avoid Overloading the Washing Machine
Washing Machine
Overloading is also very bad because it raises agitation and fibers tend to entwine and reduce in size. Don’t crowd your clothes because this will limit your clothes shrinking their ability to breathe and wear comfortably.
Use Fabric Conditioners
Generally, fabric conditioners have been known to have a role of softening them and thus breaking any tension on the fibers which results to shrinking when there is friction.
Pre-Shrinking Fabrics
If the fabric is a type that has a tendency of shrinking, washing and drying before cutting or wearing will assist in determining the size of the final product.
Choose Shrink-Resistant Fabrics
Certain types of fabric are chemically processed to become shrink-proof. This may help quite a lot if you are going to buy clothes that have been made from these types of fabrics since you need to note that fabrics are known to shrink.
Special Considerations for Different Fabrics
Every type of cloth possesses distinct characteristics and proper handling is to be done to reduce its shrinking qualities.
Cotton:
Cotton is very likely to shrink unlike any other fabric because of its absorbent form. It should be washed in cold water and preferably be air dried so as to retain the size of the night gown. There is also ‘pre-shrunk’ cotton which although may have shrunk slightly in the past, will be least likely to shrink even more.
Wool:
Some delicate fabrics, like wool are very sensitive, the cleaning must be very careful not to cause felting shrinkage. Washing hand gently in cool water with gentle soap and ironing it flat is advised. ANY excitement to the skin and high temperatures should be avoided.
Linen:
Linen should preferably be washed in cool or lukewarm water and preferably dried in the air. Generally, linen material is prone to creasing but when ironing linen material it is recommended that it be done while still damp in order to minimize shrinkage.
Synthetic Fibers:
Therefore, fabrics such as polyester and nylon are used as synthetic fibers; yet, they can shrink significantly under high heat conditions. Ideally, washing in cold water and minimal heat in the dryer is the way to go.
Blended Fabrics:
The care for blended cotton fabrics also depends with the main fiber in the blend since other fibers respond in a similar manner as the main fiber. Care for the fluffiest fiber of the blend in accordance to prevent the clothing from shrinking.
The Future of Shrink-Resistant Technologies
Researches are still being carried out with an aim of coming up with fabrics and treatments that will not shrink air drying clothes. Some of these innovations include:
Chemical Treatments:
Technological treatments that are used to modify the structures of the fibers reaching the point where they will not shrink quickly. These treatments can be applied during the actual making of the particular part.
Heat-Setting:
A process that is purposely carried out to cause fibers to maintain their size and shape by baking so that they cannot shrink much prevent shrinking.
Blended Fibers:
Research shows how it is possible to create new types of fabrics from natural and synthetic fibers with the desirable properties of both components while being free from shrinkage.
Advanced Fabric Construction:
Improving of wearing and knitting processes to produce fabrics that would shrink less while being tender and durable.
Conclusion
Just like the knowledge of fabric contraction research helps to better cherish the garments and prevent them from shrinkage. Ways that will help in preserving the and prevent clothes from shrinking will include not only special attention to the type of fabric used, adherence to correct washing cares, but use of methods that will help avoid shrinkage of clothes. Thus, innovations will only bring better and better technologies that will help in avoiding shrinkages and other obstacles that people experience when using various types of fabrics.
