Polyester is one of the most popular choices in the apparel industry owing to its durability, ability to retain its original shape, and resistance to wrinkles. Polyester is less prone to shrinkage, but it doesn't mean it’s shrink-proof. Many people have a common doubt regarding this material: “Does polyester shrink in the dryer”? This blog covers the reasons leading to shrinkage and many more aspects of the topic.
What is Polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fabric known for its durability, wrinkle-resistance, and ability to retain its original shape even after many washes. Polyester fibers are found in heavy upholstery and carpets. It is an oil-based fabric, so it repels water-based stains, but holds onto oily stains. Here are some pros and cons of polyester:
Pros
-
It doesn’t hold water-based stains.
-
It is wrinkle-resistant.
-
Durable.
-
Cost-effective.
-
Absorbs sweat.
Cons
-
Holds oily stains.
-
It can’t tolerate high heat. It shrinks when exposed to high heat.
-
It is non-biodegradable.
-
Pills easily.
Does Polyester Shrink in the Dryer?
Yes, polyester shrinks in the dryer on a high temperature setting. This happens because polyester is made of polymer chains, which get temporarily deformed due to the high temperature setting in the drying process. The polymer chains stretch when exposed to high heat, and on cooling, the chains try to return to their original shape. However, they fail to regain the original shape, and that causes shrinkage.
Factors That Contribute to the Shrinkage of Polyester
There are multiple factors that affect the shrinkage of polyester, such as the method of manufacturing, washing, drying pattern, and whether other materials are mixed with polyester. Here is the detailed explanation of each factor.
Exposure to High Heat
As polyester is made from oil-based polymers, which don’t hold on to moisture, the polymer chains stretch when exposed to high heat. On cooling, the chains don’t return to their original shape, which causes shrinkage.
Low-Quality Fabric
The quality of fabric hugely impacts the shrinkage of polyester. Low-quality polyesters are more prone to shrinkage compared to high-quality polyesters. To check the quality of the fabric, feel the fabric, and also check the transparency.
To feel the fabric, check for its smoothness because high-quality polyesters are well-spun, making the fabric smooth, whereas low-quality fabric has a rough texture.
Less transparent fabric means the fabric is of high quality because of tighter weaves. On the other hand, transparent ones are of low quality due to loose weaves.
Poorly Stitched Seams and Stitching
Poorly stitched seams allow fabric to stretch more and also deform when exposed to heat. This results in the shrinkage of the fabric on cooling.
Fiber Combination
Shrinkage also depends on the fiber combination. For example, Polyester combined with cotton fibers makes it wrinkle-resistant, but it doesn’t mean it won’t shrink.
Method to Prevent the Shrinkage of Polyester
Here are some of the preventive tips to avoid shrinkage of polyester:
Pre-Treat Stains Before Washing- If there’s a stain on the fabric, pre-treat stains using an enzyme-based stain remover. Apply stain remover on the fabric and leave it for 15minutes. Then, put it in the washing machine.
Drying on Low Heat- Opt for a low heat setting when tumble drying polyester because a low heat setting leads to less shrinkage. This is because in such a setting, less energy is available to deform the polymer chain. The other alternative is to use wool dryer balls, which expedite the drying process and ensure the polyester clothes remain in the dryer for minimal time.
Remove Clothes From the Dryer Promptly- Take out clothes from the dryer as soon as the cycle ends. If it is left, residual heat can cause shrinkage.
Follow Care Labels on the Garment- Always read the care instructions given on the fabric because different polyesters have their distinct care requirements.
Conclusion
Polyesters do shrink in the dryer if it is set on high heat. This is because polyester is made of chain polymers, and when these chains get exposed to heat, they change their shape. On cooling, when the fabric fails to regain its original shape, shrinkage happens. There are factors that affect the shrinkage, so controlling these factors can reduce the shrinkage.
