Does Polyester Shrink? Yes, polyester is able to shrink. However, it has more resistance against shrinking compared to fabrics made from nature such as cotton or wool. The amount of this shrinkage depends on the temperatures applied while washing and drying the material.
When polyester gets exposed to high heat, normally above 155°F (68°C), its polymer chains can contract and this makes the fabric become smaller. Shrinkage is influenced by things such as fabric quality, how the garment was made and methods of washing or drying it.
The Structure of Polyester
Now we know the answer to “Does Polyester Shrink” but to understand how it happens? We have to understand its structure too. Polyester, having a different molecular structure than cotton or natural fibers, is composed of a macromolecule that appears as a linear chain. The polyester molecule doesn’t have any big groups or branches on its side.
This arrangement in a line lets the polyester molecules fit closely to each other, creating crystals that help make fiber strong mechanically and maintain its shape. On the other hand, cotton is not synthetic but natural cellulose fiber having an irregular molecular structure.
Fibers of cotton have hydroxyl (-OH) groups, making them more hydrophilic than polyester that does not possess any polar groups and thus has low wettability.
Polyester molecules, with their linear chains tightly packed together, are also resistant to shrinkage because they can only contract a little when heated up due to being in such close proximity.
Polyester and Heat
Now our question “Does Polyester Shrink” has been answered. Polyester fabric feels a strong impact from high heat. This is because the polymer chains which make up the fibers contract when exposed to high temperatures. If polyester fabric is put in boiling water, it can shrink by about 7%.
Does Polyester Shrink? Yes, But if you apply heat at a temperature higher than 220°C, it has the potential to show shrinkage up to 20%. The reason behind this shrinking effect on polyester comes from how the crystalline structure of fiber gets disturbed by hotness and starts reducing overall size, possibly changing features like strength or flexibility.
Image : IstockDrying Polyester
We know Does Polyester Shrink or not but when polyester garments are being dried, it’s very important to select the correct method. The safest way is by air drying because it completely avoids any heat exposure. You can hang up your garments in an area with good ventilation or spread them out on a surface to let them dry.
If you choose to use a dryer for this task, select low heat as the setting since it dries fabric well but doesn’t expose it to high temperatures that might cause shrinking. But, you must not use high heat settings. This may cause great shrinking and harm the fibers in your garment.
Polyester Blends
Speaking of ‘Does Polyester Shrink” we should know that in the case of polyester blended fabrics, it’s important to think about shrinkage and heed the care guidelines provided on the tag. Blends that involve a greater proportion of natural fibers such as cotton can sometimes be more susceptible to shrinking than pure polyester.
The extent of shrinkage relies on the mix ratio and how you take care of it. Check the care label to know about recommended washing and drying temperatures.
This will help in stopping too much shrinkage. If it says you can wash in a machine, use cold water with a gentle cycle. For drying, choose low heat or air dry to keep its form and size.
Polyester Ironing
We know the answer to ”Does Polyester Shrink” but when it comes to polyester fabric, you need to think about and be careful with some important things when ironing it. Polyester is reactive to high temperatures, and too much heat can result in the fabric melting or getting shiny marks.
To press polyester safely, it’s best to use a heat setting that is low to medium such as around 300°F (150°C). You might also want to consider using a pressing cloth so the material does not touch the hot part of your iron directly.
Also, it’s good to always keep the iron moving so that one area doesn’t get too hot. If your garment has lots of wrinkles, you can lightly spray it with water before ironing. This helps make the fibers less tense and you won’t need high heat. By taking these safety measures, you can remove polyester wrinkles without damaging its quality or look.
If you still have any doubts regarding “Does Polyester Shrink” you can always come back and read again. Understanding how to take care of polyester is very important for keeping your clothes nice-looking and long-lasting.