However, polyester has some downsideslike instability at high temperatures, meaning it will shrink in the dryer.
What is Polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fabric.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Its fibers can be found in nearly everyfabric category, from sheer tulle to heavy upholstery and carpets.
Yes, polyester can shrink in the dryer if you use ahigh-temperature cycleand over-dry the fabric.
The Pozniaks recommend air-drying polyester and other synthetic fiber garments.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
“These fabrics dry extremely quicklyover-drying will cause them to break down prematurely,” Pozniak adds.
Want more cleaning and organizing tips?
What Causes Polyester to Shrink?
Polyester clothes shrink due to several factors.
Heat
Polyester is unstable when exposed to heat due to the chemicals used during manufacturing.
As the stretched chains cool, they do not return to their original state and shrinkage occurs.
Quality of the Fabric
The quality of polyester fabrics varies widely.
Lower-quality polyester fabric is often more susceptible to shrinkage.
To help determine the quality of the fabric in a garment, feel the fibers.
Check the transparency of the fabric by holding the garment up to a light source.
Less transparency due to a tighter weave and a higher thread count usually indicates a higher-quality fabric.
Seams and Stitching
Poorly constructed garments will have a higher percentage of shrinkage.
Fiber Combinations
Natural and synthetic fibers behave differently when exposed to water and heat.
Polyester is often combined withcotton fibersto give fabrics more wrinkle resistance.
However, when exposed to high heat, shrinkage can still occur.
Washing
Sort dirty laundry by color and fabric weight.
Set the washing machine cycle topermanent press, selectcold or warm water, and use an enzyme-based detergent.
The permanent press cycle has a cool-down step that will help polyester fibers maintain their shape.
Allow it to work for at least 15 minutes before washing.
This is particularly important for removingoily stains.
Ironing
Ironing is seldom needed if polyester is washed and dried correctly.
It is impossible to predict how much a specific polyester garment will shrink.
Cotton shrinkage can be up to 20 percent while polyester shrinkage ranges between 3 and 5 percent.
However,shrinkage depends on the quality and careof the fabric.
