Tumble dryers make laundry day much easier – they speed up the drying process and can even help you avoid ironing altogether. However, many users find themselves frustrated when clothes come out smaller than they went in. Why does a tumble dryer shrink clothes? Is it always due to a fault with the machine? And more importantly – is there any way to rescue shrunken fabrics? We’ll answer all these questions in today’s article.

Shrunken clothes in the dryer – what’s causing it?

There are several reasons why clothes might shrink in the dryer. The most common cause is overloading the drum, which prevents hot air from circulating properly. Another frequent mistake is ignoring the care label instructions – this can not only lead to shrinkage but may also permanently damage the fabric. In some cases, shrinking may be caused by a fault in the appliance itself, such as a faulty heating element or a broken temperature sensor. Let’s take a closer look at these possible causes.

Overloaded Dryer Drum

Just like a washing machine, your tumble dryer has a maximum load capacity. Overloading the drum can lead to fabrics shrinking or even stretching out of shape. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to load size. If your laundry doesn’t all fit in one go, hang the remaining clothes on radiators or an airer while they wait their turn to dry.

Always Check the Labels

Shrunken clothes in the dryer are often the result of ignoring care labels. A quick glance might save you a lot of money and frustration — always make sure your garments are suitable for tumble drying before you toss them in. It’s also best to avoid drying a mix of different fabric types at the same time. Cotton, towels, synthetics and jeans all dry best on different settings. Delicate items like wool or cashmere jumpers need a low-temperature programme to avoid shrinking. If the care label is missing or faded, your safest option is to use a gentle, low-heat cycle to minimise the risk of damage.

Faulty Heating Element

The heating element in your tumble dryer is designed to turn on and off at intervals to maintain a steady temperature. However, if it becomes faulty, it may stay on continuously, causing the drum to overheat. This constant high temperature can easily lead to fabrics shrinking or becoming damaged during the drying cycle.

Faulty Temperature Sensor

The temperature sensor in a tumble dryer monitors the internal heat levels and ensures that each drying programme stays within a safe range. If the sensor malfunctions or gives inaccurate readings, the dryer may run at too high a temperature for the selected programme. This overheated air can damage fabrics and cause them to shrink. If a faulty sensor is the cause, it will need to be replaced to restore proper function.

Home Remedies for Shrunken Clothes

Shrunken clothes from the tumble dryer can often be brought back to their original size with a few simple tricks. Just try one of the methods below, and your garments may return to their former shape. The best part? You don’t need any specialist products — these home remedies use everyday household items you probably already have.

Fabric Softener and Glycerine

Shrunken clothes can often be restored using a mixture of fabric softener and glycerine. Simply fill a bowl with warm water, add a splash of fabric softener and a few drops of glycerine. Soak the garment in the mixture, then lay it out flat on a towel and roll it up tightly. After about 15 minutes, unroll the towel and lay the garment flat on a dry towel to air-dry, gently stretching the fabric as it dries. This method works particularly well for synthetic materials and cotton.

Baby Shampoo

Another effective way to relax shrunken fibres is by using baby shampoo. Mix four tablespoons of baby shampoo with hot water in a bowl. Soak the shrunken garment in the solution for up to 12 hours. After soaking, gently squeeze out the excess water, stretch the fabric carefully by hand, and hang it to dry on a radiator or drying rack. This technique also works best for synthetics and cotton.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

For tumble-dried clothes that have shrunk, you can try a two-bowl method using vinegar and baking soda. Fill one bowl with warm water and mix in two tablespoons of baking soda. In the second bowl, mix water with one cup of vinegar. Start by soaking the shrunken garment in the baking soda solution for about an hour, gently stretching the fabric as it soaks. Then rinse it in the vinegar water, squeeze out the excess, and dry the garment on a radiator or drying rack. This method works well for wool, cashmere, polyester, viscose, and cotton.

Vinegar and Hair Conditioner

Another handy trick for restoring shrunken clothes is using vinegar and hair conditioner. In a bowl of water, mix four tablespoons of conditioner with half a cup of vinegar. Soak the garment for 20–30 minutes, then begin gently stretching it while it’s still in the water. Leave it to soak for another hour, then wash the item in the washing machine on a gentle, low-temperature cycle. Once clean, dry it as you normally would.

White Beans

This is definitely the most unusual method – and it takes a bit more time – but it’s worth a try! Soak one kilogram of white beans in five litres of water overnight, then cook them as normal. Once cooked, drain the beans (you can enjoy them later in a tasty spread or pâté – waste not, want not!) and keep the cooking liquid. Let the liquid cool completely, then soak your shrunken clothes in it for several hours, gently stretching the fabric from time to time. After soaking, rinse the clothes thoroughly in lukewarm water a few times, then wash them gently by hand.

When to call a specialist if your dryer is shrinking clothes?

If you’re confident that the shrinking isn’t caused by overloading or selecting the wrong programme settings based on the care label, it’s a good idea to contact a qualified appliance technician. The issue may be down to a faulty heating element or a broken temperature sensor, but a professional diagnosis is key to resolving the problem properly.

Summary

• Clothes shrinking in the tumble dryer is most often caused by overloading the drum or not checking the care labels before drying.
• In some cases, shrinking may result from a fault in the appliance itself, such as a damaged heating element or faulty temperature sensor.
• Thankfully, shrunken clothes can often be restored using simple home remedies. You can try soaking garments in fabric softener and glycerine, or use baby shampoo for gentle stretching. Another effective method involves soaking items in a mix of conditioner and vinegar.
• One of the more unusual – but surprisingly effective – tricks is using the cooking water from white beans.
• For most fabric types, a combination of baking soda and vinegar can also do the trick. Soak your clothes in a baking soda solution, stretch the fabric now and then, then rinse in vinegar water, squeeze out the excess, and let them air-dry.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

How to prevent clothes from shrinking in the dryer?

To avoid shrinking your clothes in the tumble dryer, make sure not to overload the drum – this is one of the most common causes of fabric shrinkage. Always check the care labels and sort your laundry by similar fabric types and drying requirements. This way, you can ensure your clothes stay in great condition and won’t get damaged during the drying cycle.

Why do clothes shrink in the dryer?

Clothes can shrink in the dryer if the drying temperature is too high, which is why it’s so important to check the care label symbols before you start. Not all fabrics can handle high heat – some may shrink, stretch out of shape, or become permanently damaged. Also, avoid exceeding the load capacity recommended by the manufacturer, as this can lead to uneven drying and increase the risk of shrinkage.

Do heat pump dryers shrink clothes?

As long as you choose the correct drying programmes according to the care labels, a heat pump dryer will not shrink your clothes.

What to do if your laundry has shrunk?

If your clothes have shrunk in the tumble dryer, don’t worry – there are several ways to bring them back to size. One of the simplest methods, suitable for most fabrics, involves using baking soda and vinegar. First, soak the garment in a bowl of warm water mixed with baking soda, gently stretching it from time to time. Then rinse it in a separate bowl filled with vinegar. After squeezing out the excess water, lay the garment out to dry on a radiator or drying rack.

Can you save shrunken clothes?

Absolutely – shrunken clothes can often be saved. Soak them in a mixture of hair conditioner and white vinegar, or try baby shampoo to gently relax the fibres. You can also use a solution of fabric softener and glycerine, or even the leftover water from cooking white beans. One of the safest and most effective methods – even for delicate garments – is a baking soda and vinegar soak. Other remedies worth trying include soaking shrunken clothes in baby shampoo, a mix of fabric softener and glycerine, a blend of vinegar and conditioner, or even the cooking water from white beans.