Kids clothes keep shrinking

[eeyoreforever]

I am so frustrated right now with my childrens clothes. It seems like everything I buy for them lately shrinks the first time I wash it. None of my or my dh's clothes shrink-just the girls. My oldest dd had a shirt that was an XL and my younger dd wanted one just like it. She got a small. The XL got washed first and now it is the same size as the small. It must have shrunk up about 2 1/2 - 3 inches. This seems to be happening a lot. If I knew for sure it was going to shrink, I would buy a much larger size. I read labels and wash everything the correct way, so I don't think its me. They outgrow their clothes fast enough without this happening. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[powellrj]

is your dryer running hotter than usual? Maybe thats it. I know there are many things that my kids love to wear thats 100% cotton and that shrinks the worst. Many things I hang dry just so they don't shrink, sorry I can't be of more help, but I "feel your pain" LOL

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I never put new clothes in the dryer the first time they are washed. After that I always throw them in the dryer.

Lori

 

[tkd lisa]

I have seen this more with clothes we get at discount stores, particularly t-shirts, but it happens a lot with Limited 2 stuff (which is really PRICEY!). I don't see it with bottoms, but definitly with tops.

I end up buying lots of my kids stuff at Land's End. Their stuff is really good quality and doesn't have the shrinkage problem. I almost always buy off the overstocks because it is expensive, but it lasts and lasts!

 

[Kermit]

I agree that some brands are worse than others. For Jacob, I buy most of his stuff at consignment stores. At least then I can see how a garment will wash. Your kids may be a bit too old to want to wear much "used" clothing, but it's worth a shot, especially if there are brands at the consignment shops that you would never buy for them brand new.

 

[elgerber]

I have this problem with my dds clothes too. I always buy them big now, but it seems in a couple of months they just keep shrinking and barely fit.
My ds however, can wear the same t-shirts for 3 years.

Erika

 

[Nancy]

I never throw anything of my kids in the dryer until almost dry...and then only for about 10 minutes to get the wrinkles and stiffness out of them. Not only do things not shrink, but when the kids were little and used to get tons of stains on the clothes I would be able to get them out if I missed them the first time...because the heat from the dryer wasn't setting them in the fabric. I have clothes that went through all 3 girls that look brand new thanks to gentle cycle and no dryer.

That said...I think clothes are just being horribly made now. Everything feels so cheap, even from the good stores. There are alwasy loose threads or seams that aren't totally sewed. I don't think I should pay over $20.00 for a top and have to sew up a seam or snip threads.

 

[shleybird]

Having two boys who seem to grow over night sometimes, I feel your pain. I have been buying new shoes every two months. I'm so glad summer is coming so I can stop buying pants, every two weeks. Not sure if they have Old Navy stores where you are, but I have not had any problems with their clothes shrinking, and you can usually find some good deals.

 

[peg2001]

I agree that you need to stop drying them. I haven't noticed much shrinkage on my DDs' clothes.

Peggy

 

[Griggle]

By it's nature, cotton shrinks. 100% cotton fabric is treated at the mill or factory for shrinkage - if this weren't done even if washed in cold water, a 100% cotton garment could shrink as much as 10%. Even with treatment, and regardless of the expense of the cotton, if you wash it with hot water or you use the dryer, it will shrink. It will not shrink if you use cold water and let them hang dry.

Why do some shrink more/less than others? It's all got to do with how the manufacturer addresses shrinkage. Some build shrinkage into their specifications much, much better than others. Some pre-shrink.

Oddly enough "cheaper" t's actually last longer and don't shrink - because a touch of polyester has been added.

If you're not sure if something that is 100% cotton is pre-shrunk and it looks pretty close to "true size" - buy bigger! They eventually grow into it anyway!!

eeyoreforever - while things will shrink, something that shrinks that much (3"!!!) is considered excessive shrinking.....I'd contact the manufacturer for replacement. If you bought it from a retailer like Old Navy, Gap, or private label from a retailer, you're well within your rights as a consumer to bring it back!!!

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by Griggle
Oddly enough "cheaper" t's actually last longer and don't shrink - because a touch of polyester has been added.

LOL. I think Griggle must have nailed why my DDs' clothes don't shrink much. We shop the Walmart clearance racks.

Peggy

 

[eeyoreforever]

Originally posted by Griggle


eeyoreforever - while things will shrink, something that shrinks that much (3"!!!) is considered excessive shrinking.....I'd contact the manufacturer for replacement. If you bought it from a retailer like Old Navy, Gap, or private label from a retailer, you're well within your rights as a consumer to bring it back!!!

Griggle - this particular shirt I described came from Mervyns which is not a "cheap" store. A lot of their clothes come from Target or Kohls and it seems that I seem to get shrinkage no matter where it came from. I think I will contact the mamufacturer and see what happens.

To all other posters - thanks for your input so far. I guess I will try not putting some in the dryer and see if that makes a difference. So much for modern technology - right? My only consolation right now is that when my older dd's shrinks, it will fit my younger dd.

 

[kadaten]

I avoid the shrinkage by buying lots at Old Navy...or the Gap Outlet....GAP if it's on a BIG sale. They pretreat their clothes for shrinkage and I've never had a problem with their stuff shrinking. Have also had good luck with Lands End things, but I don't mail order much....I got those at TJMaxx and the outlet.

I love the look of Carter's clothes (my 2 kids are still little) but they always shrink at least a full size! Won't spend the money on Carters any more, no matter how cute it is.

I also get LOTS of their stuff (especially jeans and Osh Kosh overalls...just can't fork over the money the stores want for those new) at thrift and consignment shops.....they've already shrunk if they're going to, so I just have to hold it up and see if it fits. Even there, I tend to stick to the same brands plus a few others....'cause I know it's quality made and not going to fall apart.

Our dryer is also always set on the energy-saver "low heat" setting....takes a lot longer to dry, but it doesn't get near as hot, so you have less chance of shrinkage. (If I'm in a rush, I'll occasionally use high heat, but only for things like sheets/towel/blue jeans that have been washed many times before and would normally take 2 low-heat cycles to dry.)

 

[Nancy]

I don't like Target's clothes for that reason. They just don't wash well. They shrink up even without going in the dryer.