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Polyester is known for holding its shape, and *most of the time* it does. But certain conditions can still cause changes you might not expect.
These are some of the most popular polyester care accessories:
- Cold Water Detergent for Washing Polyester (click here to view)
- Mesh Laundry Bag for Washing Delicates (click here to view)
- Air Drying Rack to Avoid Heat on Polyester (click here to view)
- Fabric Shaver for Removing Polyester Pilling (click here to view)
From heat exposure to fabric blends, there are a few things that can quietly affect how polyester fits and feels. These are the most important things you should know.
1) Polyester rarely shrinks but you should know this…
Polyester does not shrink easily. It’s a man-made fabric built to keep its shape, even after many washes and trips through the dryer. Most of the time, you won’t notice any change in size. But under certain conditions, like high heat, polyester can shrink slightly.
The risk goes up if the fabric is thin, fitted, or a polyester fabric blend (with something like cotton or rayon). Polyester fabric blends don’t behave the same way as 100% pure polyester. They can shrink more easily, depending on the mix.
Pro Tip: Many people prefer to wash delicate or stretchy polyester in a mesh laundry bag which limits pulling or stretching during the spin cycle and helps protect the garment. This is especially useful for activewear (like yoga pants) or other delicate garments.
2) High heat in the dryer is the biggest danger for polyester
Dryers can be tough on polyester, especially when set to high heat. Polyester fibers are made from plastic-like materials that soften when exposed to high temperatures. Most polyester care labels recommend low heat settings for drying (or air dry to be safe).
Even though shrinking is usually minimal, over time, high heat in the dryer can cause the polyester fabric to tighten, warp, or even *slightly* shrink. You might not notice it after one or two cycles, but repeated drying on high heat can change the fit of a garment.
Pro Tip: Air drying is one of the safest ways to avoid damage to polyester since it removes the heat factor altogether and is gentler on the fabric, helping it keep its original size and texture. You can use a simple air drying rack to air dry your delicate polyester garments to avoid heat damage.
3) Hot water can also affect polyester
Washing polyester in hot water doesn’t usually cause major shrinkage, but it can still have an effect over time. As I said above, heat weakens the structure of the polyester fibers, especially when combined with strong spin cycles or heavy wash loads.
If the water is too hot, and the garment is thin or tight-fitting, you might notice (over time) a slight change in shape or feel. You can usually overcome this by washing in cold water (per care instructions) and on gentle cycles.
Pro Tip: Using a detergent made for cold water can help you get a thorough clean without needing to raise the water temperature, which reduces the risk of shrinkage and polyester breakdown.
4) Polyester blends are much more likely to shrink
Blended fabrics don’t behave the same way as 100% pure polyester. When polyester is mixed with natural fibers like cotton, the risk of shrinking goes up. That’s because cotton shrinks easily, especially when exposed to heat.
Even if the polyester part holds its shape, the cotton can tighten, causing the whole garment to shrink or lose its fit. This is common in 50/50 or 60/40 blends, where the natural fiber plays a big role in how the fabric reacts.
If you’ve ever had a “polyester” shirt shrink, chances are it wasn’t 100 percent polyester. Always be sure to check the care label on your blended garments to avoid shrinking.
5) Best way to care for polyester and avoid shrinking
The safest way to wash polyester is with cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. This helps protect the fibers and keep the fabric looking new.
When it comes to drying, avoid high heat. Use a low or medium setting, or air dry if possible. Turning garments inside out can also help reduce wear. If the item is a polyester fabric blend, be extra cautious since natural fibers like cotton are more sensitive to heat.
Following the care label is the best way to make sure your polyester clothes last and keep their shape over time.
6) Shrinking polyester on purpose isn’t usually recommended
Do you actually want to shrink your polyester garment? While you can shrink polyester by using heat, it’s not something that is recommended.
Washing in hot water and drying on high heat might cause the fabric to tighten, but it can also damage the texture, fade the color, or wear out the material faster. Polyester wasn’t made to shrink, so forcing it to change shape isn’t always reliable.
Results can be uneven, especially with thicker items or blends. If you really want to try shrinking something, go slow and understand it might not turn out perfect. Always check the care tag before attempting anything.
7) Polyester activewear needs extra care
Polyester is a common fabric in activewear because it’s lightweight, durable, and moisture-wicking. But these clothes are often tighter, stretchier, and made with blends or special finishes.
That means they can be more sensitive to heat and friction. Washing activewear in hot water or drying it on high heat can cause shrinking, loss of stretch, or damage to the fabric’s surface. It can also wear down elastic waistbands and fade prints or logos.
As I mentioned earlier, a gentle detergent made for synthetic fabrics can help preserve the stretch, color, and moisture-wicking properties, which keeps performance gear working like it should.
8) Polyester vs other fabrics
Compared to natural fabrics, polyester is much more resistant to shrinking. Cotton shrinks easily, especially when exposed to hot water and high heat. Wool can shrink a lot with even minor heat or agitation. Rayon and linen are also prone to changing size or shape in the wash.
Polyester holds up better under typical washing and drying, which makes it a safer choice for everyday wear. Nylon is another synthetic fabric used in activewear. Like polyester, it doesn’t shrink much, though it can lose shape if dried on high heat too often.
Spandex and elastane are stretchy materials often blended with polyester to make activewear. These fibers don’t shrink in the traditional sense, but they can break down or lose stretch when exposed to heat or fabric softeners.
Pro Tip: A fabric shaver can help refresh the surface of polyester garments if they start to pill or wear, especially around seams or high-friction areas, helping them look newer for longer. Since polyester, nylon, and spandex are often combined in workout clothes, it’s important to treat them gently to keep their shape and performance over time.