Why does cotton shrink after washing? How can buyers prevent it?

Cotton shrinks because of its natural fiber structure. Cotton yarns are stretched during weaving and finishing — when exposed to water and heat, the fibers relax and return to their natural length, causing the fabric to shrink.

How much does cotton typically shrink? 3–8% in the first wash, with most shrinkage happening in the very first wash. Pre-shrunk or Sanforized cotton reduces this to 1–3%.

How to minimize shrinkage:

• Always wash in cold water — hot water dramatically increases shrinkage rate
• Hand wash or use gentle machine cycle
• Air dry flat or hang dry — tumble dryer heat causes significant additional shrinkage
• Look for "pre-shrunk" or "Sanforized" labels on cotton fabric

For wholesale buyers: When including care labels, always specify "cold wash" for cotton garments. This prevents customer complaints about size after first wash.