Does 50% Cotton 50% Polyester Shrink? Explained

Garments that are made of natural fabrics are prone to shrinking. Cotton is one of them. 100% cotton clothing will require a lot of maintenance; otherwise, it will shrink, but what about cotton blends? Nobody wants their favorite outfits to shrink since they won’t be able to wear them again. I guess that many of you have a lot of t-shirts, shorts, and sweaters that are 50% cotton and 50% polyester, and most of you are wondering whether these garments will shrink or not.

This is the reason why I am here writing this article, guys. As you already know, I always try to find solutions and give answers to your queries, so nothing is different this time. I will try to explain everything in detail about 50%cotton and 50% polyester and tell you whether it is prone to shrinkage or not. So, let’s get right into it.

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Does 50% Cotton and 50% Polyester Shrink?

A blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester will not shrink in normal conditions. This is a complex answer, though. I can hear you asking, ” What are those normal conditions?”. By saying that, what I mean is that if you wash them properly following the instructions of the manufacturers, they won’t shrink.

Cotton is a delicate fabric, and you all know that garments made of cotton shrink, but this time is different because it is a fifty-fifty blend. Polyester shows resistance to shrinkage, which means that garments of 50%cotton and 50%polyester will also show resistance to shrinking. In the sections below, I will discuss why this fabric doesn’t shrink quickly in every detail. So, better keep reading.

Also Read: Definition of Pre Shrunk Cotton

Why Don’t 50% Cotton and 50% Polyester Shrink? – Reasons

A blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester won’t shrink quickly; if you want to shrink a garment made of this fabric, you will need to put in a little effort. There are several reasons why garments of this fabric are not prone to shrinking. I will discuss them separately so you can better understand them.

First and foremost, let me mention how adaptable the garments made of 50%cotton and 50%polyester are. They gain this feature from polyester since it is one of the most adaptable fabrics.

Compared to 100% cotton, this blend of polyester and cotton has terrific durability and shows resistance to shrinking. Synthetic polyester fibers offer your garments more resistance to harsh conditions that may cause shrinkage. We already know that natural fibers cannot withstand extreme conditions.

This fabric is composed of 50% cotton and 50% polyester, so it has the characteristics of both fabrics. It contains the elasticity and durability of polyester and the comfort and breathability of cotton. So, it is one of the most diverse fabrics. The diversity of the fabric is one of the reasons that play a significant role in the resistance to shrinking.

Worth mentioning is the fact that the garments made of 50%cotton and 50% polyester do not get wrinkled, which means that you don’t have to iron them. Ironing may cause shrinkage because clothes are exposed to high temperatures, damaging your garments. Apart from ironing, there is another crucial reason that affects shrinking as well.

Also Read: Definition of Combed Cotton

What Are The Ways To Shrink 50% Cotton and 50% Polyester?

First and foremost, I want to point out that this fabric won’t shrink easily as 100% cotton does. As I have stated in the sections above, if you’re going to shrink your garments made of 50% cotton and 50%polyester you should put in a little bit of effort, otherwise if you wash them properly following the instructions of the manufacturers, you won’t be able to shrink them, if shrinking them is your intention.

If you want to shrink your t-shirts, shorts, or sweaters made of 50%cotton and 50% polyester, there are some steps you should follow. As you already know, high temperatures and boiling water will cause shrinkage, so the best way to make them shrink is to leave them exposed to hot water.

Put your clothes in a washing machine and wash them with hot water; this may work. Also, you can use your dryer as well. Throw your garments in a dryer; the friction and high temperatures will probably shrink your outfits made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester.

Here is another method you can apply to shrink your garments. You should boil the water in a tool, add a spoon of vinegar to the water to avoid color fade, and put your t-shirts, shorts, or whatever you want to shrink in it. Let your garments for five minutes in the hot boiling water, and then it is time to put out your clothes from the water. This is all. Done!

Also Read: Does 60% Cotton and 40% Polyester Shrink?

How Should You Wash and Dry 50% Cotton and 50% Polyester Clothes?

It is not necessary to hand wash garments made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester; you can directly put them in your washing machine, but there are some crucial things that you should also pay attention to. If you want to wash them properly, you must ensure that you clean them with cold or warm water and avoid using hot water. Also, soak them in a delicate cycle; doing so is always better. If you want to use bleach, you can use it without any doubt.

Furthermore, when it comes to drying, there is nothing to worry about since you can also put them in a dryer. Worth mentioning is that you should pay attention to what temperature you are drying them. I’d recommend you dry them in a low-heat cycle.

Final Words

Moreover, 50% cotton and 50% polyester is an interesting blends. You don’t really see it very often, but you can find it out there. Almost all clothing manufacturers have some type of garment made of this mixture. I hope that in this article today, you were able to understand all the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of the 50% / 50% cotton and polyester blend. Have a nice day!