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Frequent Contributor
Posts: 81
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Length shrinking tees - HELP!

Plz help me figure out why this is happening. Every year I need to purchase all new tee shirts because they keep getting shorter & shorter & shorter as I launder them. I've tried so many brands from Chicos, Coldwater Creek, D&C, Liz, Macy's, etc.

And every year I find that my tops shrink in length & really look awful. I usually remove them from the washer & drape them over a drying rack, thinking they won't shrink in the dryer, but it's a no go.

Does anyone have any solutions to my frustrating problem? Are there certain brands that you like & that keep their shape?

TIA!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,458
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

I have the same problem-I don't want to handwash everything.

Are you using cold water in the washer?

CATS ARE HEAVEN SENT
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,906
Registered: ‎09-26-2011

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

Get some skinny tees. Never shrink

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,224
Registered: ‎01-26-2013

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

My tops are mostly from Chico's and I never have a problem with them shrinking in any way. I machine wash in cold water and put them in the dryer, no heat, for a couple of minutes to get rid of wrinkles and then I hang to dry. They come out perfect every time. All of my tops are either 100% cotton or cotton/spandex mix.

Super Contributor
Posts: 3,125
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

On 4/5/2014 Tulips4U said:

Plz help me figure out why this is happening. Every year I need to purchase all new tee shirts because they keep getting shorter & shorter & shorter as I launder them. I've tried so many brands from Chicos, Coldwater Creek, D&C, Liz, Macy's, etc.

How are you storing them? Folding? If folding, maybe you are stretching them sideways when folding.

I tees I wear to the gym, I fold in half lengthwise and then roll - no sideways stretching. Others, I just put on a hanger.

Super Contributor
Posts: 535
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

I wash all my tees in cold water and then hang to dry. I've never had any of them shrink. I have one of those Hangaway poles and they work great.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,522
Registered: ‎11-20-2013

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

And here I thought it was just me. I don't have the desire to hang all my tee shirts to dry. It would take days.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,000
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

My only tip is to avoid 100% cotton and go with a poly-span blend. Unfortunately most of that fabric is not very substantial.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,023
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

Well, cotton can shrink. Some cotton shirts shrink more than others. But my cotton tops only shrink the first time they're washed (if at all). I buy mine from LL Bean. I don't put my nice tops in the dryer, regardless of fabric.

I prefer blends for my tees and tops: cotton/poly, cotton/modal, cotton/spandex, rayon/linen or even 100% polyester. Those keep their shape and color better IMO.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,892
Registered: ‎07-03-2013

Re: Length shrinking tees - HELP!

On 4/5/2014 banjo said:

I wash all my tees in cold water and then hang to dry. I've never had any of them shrink. I have one of those Hangaway poles and they work great.

This is exactly what I do, but I have the length shrinking problem.