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Nylon is strong and flexible, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to damage. While nylon doesn’t shrink easily, certain washing and drying habits can still change how it fits or feels over time. Whether it’s high heat, fabric blends, or everyday wear, here’s what you should know about caring for nylon.
1) Nylon rarely shrinks—but here’s what to know…
Nylon is a synthetic material designed to hold its shape. Most of the time, you won’t see any noticeable shrinking, even after several washes. But if the nylon is thin, tightly fitted, or part of a fabric blend, small changes can happen, especially if extreme heat is involved.
But high heat on pure nylon is more likely to cause melting or warping than it is to cause traditional shrinking. But even subtle changes can affect the fit or texture over time. Overall, it is important to remember that high heat can damage the fit of nylon (even if it doesn’t shrink the garment).
Pro Tip: If you’re washing delicate nylon items that use a thin material, you can use a mesh laundry bag (like this one) to reduce friction and help the item keep its shape.
2) Dryer heat can damage or slightly shrink nylon
Nylon doesn’t do well with high heat.
The fibers can soften, pucker, or slightly shrink when exposed to hot dryer settings. Unlike cotton, nylon doesn’t shrink dramatically, but the damage shows up in other ways: distortion, stiffness, or loss of elasticity.
Even if the fabric looks fine after one cycle, repeated high-heat drying can slowly degrade the material. Your care label will provide direction on how to dry, but many nylon garments benefit from air drying to avoid high heat.
Pro Tip: Use a low-heat or air-dry setting when drying nylon garments, or you can use an air-drying rack (like this one) to avoid the risk of tumble drying altogether.
3) Hot water isn’t ideal for nylon either
When machine washing nylon, hot water won’t cause drastic shrinkage, but it can break down nylon’s flexibility. Over time, it may weaken the fibers, making them feel rougher or less stretchy.
If you’re trying to protect the fit, color, and texture of your nylon items, it’s best to stick with cold water and avoid aggressive wash settings. You can purchase cold water detergents to help you get the same type of deep clean that hot water provides, but without the use of hot water.
Pro Tip: You can purchase cold water detergents (like this one) to help you get a similar type of deep clean that hot water provides, but without the use of hot water.
4) Nylon blends are more prone to shrinking
When nylon is blended with natural fibers like cotton or rayon, the fabric becomes more vulnerable to shrinkage. That’s because those natural materials shrink easily under heat, even if the nylon part doesn’t.
The result? The whole garment might feel tighter or shorter after a wash, especially in 50/50 or 60/40 blends. Always check the fabric label before washing. If you see a blend, take extra care with temperature and cycle settings.
5) Best ways to care for nylon
In most situations, for routine care, nylon should be washed in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle.
Avoid bleach and strong detergents, as they can weaken the fibers. And skip the fabric softener. Nylon doesn’t need it, and it can coat the surface of the material.
When drying, stick to low heat or air dry. Turning the garment inside out before washing can also help reduce surface wear. Nylon dries quickly, even without heat. Hanging it on a rack or clothesline is usually all it takes to get it dry without damage.
6) Shrinking nylon on purpose is hit-or-miss
Some people try to shrink nylon intentionally by using hot water and high dryer heat. While that might slightly tighten the fabric, it’s not always reliable.
The result can be uneven or damaging, especially with blends or garments with elastic parts. Nylon wasn’t made to shrink on purpose, and pushing it too far can ruin the material’s feel or stretch.
7) Dry cleaning and nylon: mostly unnecessary
Most nylon garments are made to be washed at home. While dry cleaning might be fine for structured items like dresses, suits, or outerwear, the majority of nylon pieces don’t need it. And most care labels won’t recommend it.
Unless the tag says “dry clean only,” you can safely skip it. If you’re unsure, reaching out to a local dry cleaner might be worth it to get advice. In most cases, machine or hand washing in cold water is all that’s required to keep nylon looking great.
8) Nylon activewear and intimates need extra care
Nylon is often used in activewear and undergarments because it’s lightweight and flexible. But these items tend to be fitted, stretchy, and sometimes blended with spandex or elastane, making them more sensitive to heat and abrasion.
Drying these on high heat or using harsh wash cycles can cause fading, loss of stretch, or damage to logos and prints.
Pro Tip: Activewear usually needs a deep clean. There are detergents (like this one) specifically designed to provide deep clean in activewear without damaging the delicate materials.