Do Cotton Baby Clothes Shrink? How to Wash Them | Ugly Bugs
Yes, cotton baby clothes can shrink, mostly from hot washes and high tumble dryer heat. Washing at the temperature on the label and drying gently keeps the fit much closer to what you bought.
Why does cotton shrink?
Cotton fibres relax and tighten when they are exposed to heat and agitation. Most shrinking happens in the first wash or two, then settles down. Some fabrics are treated to reduce shrinkage and some are not, so the amount varies from garment to garment.
How to keep cotton baby clothes from shrinking
- Read the care label every time. It tells you the highest safe temperature for that garment.
- Wash on a cooler, gentle cycle. A lower temperature is kinder to the fibres and still gets baby clothes clean.
- Avoid hot dryer cycles. Tumble dry on low if the label allows it, or line dry in the shade.
- Take clothes out while slightly damp. Over-drying is a common cause of shrinking.
- Wash similar items together. Small baby clothes can get lost among bulky items and be tumbled harder than they need to be.
- Use a mesh laundry bag for small pieces. Booties, hats and headbands stay together and are treated more gently.
What if a garment has already shrunk?
A slightly shrunk cotton garment can sometimes be eased back by soaking it in lukewarm water, pressing out the water gently without wringing, and laying it flat to dry while smoothing it into shape. This may help a little but won’t always work, so prevention is the better plan.
A tip when choosing sizes
Babies grow fast, so if your baby is between sizes, choose the bigger one. A little room for growth also means a bit of shrinking in the first wash won’t matter.
Care for every garment
For the full routine, see our guide to caring for 100% cotton baby clothing.
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