Help, all my clothes seem to shrink!

John_Clare

Hi all,

This is my first post here so forgive me if I've posted it in the wrong area.

I've noticed lately that when I buy new clothes (mainly shirts and V-neck jumpers) they shrink in a month or so after a few washes.

Our washing machine is brand new and I always follow the washing instructions on the label and even try washing everything at 30 degrees C.

Now, a lot of my recent purchases have been from Primark, so they're not exactly quality, but even the odd shirt and jumper that I've bought recently from Republic (SoulCal brand) have shrunk too!

So what is going on here? I have older clothes that I've had for years which haven't shrunk at all. I also have old Primark clothes from a few years ago that haven't shrunk.

To add to the confusion, we never tumble dry clothes, only air-dry.

So....

1. Why are they shrinking? Is it because they are badly made? Can this be prevented?
2. Where can I get cheap, yet high quality clothing that won't shrink?
3. Is my washing machine faulty?
4. Is it anything to do with the washing powder or conditioner used?

I don't care about big name labels, just fashionable styling!

I don't want to waste any more money on clothes that are just going to shrink!

Thanks,

John

livewire100

My clothes seem to shrink, too. Must be something to do with those M&S and Waitrose two meals for a tenner offers.

rammy007

I have had clothes from primark and asda that have done this in a short while I think it's cos they're cheap and in the end false economy I found the pjs really bad.

chalkysoil

all cheap cotton t shirts seem to shrink nowadays. I expect the fabric was prewashed before manufacture long ago. I buy 2 sizes 2 big and it shrinks to fit me. Even some face flannels I bought shrunk.

RoseFairy

yeah i noticed this too. basically they want us to go out and spend more, so as above poster, i too buy few sizes bigger to account for any shrinkages - my kids clothes are like this too and so i have to buy clothes labelled for an older age.
BHS, Next, Debenham, seem to be quite good for quality, price and sizing - have several tshirts, and tops, undies etc. so far so good.
places i have noticed whose clothes shrink are Sainsburys, Tescos, M&S, Primark, QS/store21, H&M,

hth

haynrich

i have noticed also so now buy a size bigger... i thought it was as a tumbled them...
haynrich

Curlywurli

I no longer buy jumpers from Primark. I've found that the price isn't such a bargain anymore when I need to replace each jumper after one wash because it's shrunk.

LizD_2

Or buy from charity shops where the items will already have been washed by the previous owners.

chalkysoil

I'm sure some of the stuff in the charity shops is only there because it shrank. I bought an xl mans shirt that looked brand new but had no shop ticket on it, but when husband tried it on it was miles too small, so I'm wearing it now.

Mrs_Ryan

I've got a jumper from Primark that's gone bigger after I washed it.... very strange.But Im not complaining... Im wearing it now and its lovely... huge and comfy.

I havent noticed anything shrinking, even with some of the patients clothes at work that are washed and tumble dried on a hot wash and they seem to be ok.

jenniewb

I don't tend to find my clothes shink as much as lose their elasticiy- they just dont "fit" anymore after about 2 or 3 washes.

OP I hate to say this, but the other examples you mention are not really that much better quality wise (seriously, I studied textiles, it is something I notice when buying stuff).
It could be your washing machine is malfunctioning, but it could also be that the quality of your clothes needs to change if you need stuff to last longer then 1 wash. M&S are somewhere that generally sell quality stuff (some is some isn't you can normally tell by feeling it) and jeans that are around the £50 plus (Levis) mark tend to work out ok the ones cheaper then this (: River Island, Topshop, Republic, Primark for example) tend not to wash well and they stretch way more then ok throughout a days wear. (My cheaper jeans will change around 2 inches in 24 hours!!).