No, it wouldn’t shrink normally. Buying cotton garments can be stressful as there is always an issue of shrinking. This is why various material is mixed with cotton to increase their strength and resistance to shrinkage. 80 cotton 20 polyester is an example of such fabric, where polyester is combined with cotton to increase its durability.
Although it is less prone to shrinking than pure cotton, it can still shrink under certain circumstances. To know more about this topic, keep digging further.
What Material Is 80 Cotton 20 Polyester?
80 cotton 20 polyester is a fabric made using a combination of cotton and polyester. The percentage of cotton and polyester in the fabric is 80 and 20 respectively.
Will the Combined Fabric of 80 Cotton and 20 Polyester Shrink?
Pure cotton, if not pre-shrunk, shrinks quite easily while washing and drying. It happens due to the release of tension in the fibers when subjected to heat. Polyester on the other hand is more durable than cotton and has great resistance to shrinkage, even at high temperatures. As a result, it doesn’t shrink as much as pure cotton.
Fabrics made using 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester get the softness quality of cotton and the durability from the polyester. So, it will not shrink as easily as pure cotton. However, it can shrink to some extent as the percentage of polyester is significantly lower compared to other combinations of fabrics.
How Much Will 80 Cotton 20 Polyester Shrink?
It is hard to give a straightforward answer. In general, you can expect an item of clothing made of 80 cotton 20 polyester to shrink by 3% of its original size. But the number is just a theory only. The amount of shrinkage depends on some factors.
The temperature of the washer and the tightness of the woven fabric greatly influence the shrinkage of the fabric.
1. Temperature
Every clothing item has an inside sew-in label where the manufacturer provides instructions about washing and drying. Usually, the label recommends washing such clothing at 40°C, which doesn’t shrink the fabric at all. However, if you wash it at a higher temperature, it may start shrinking.
Just like the washers, dryer temperature matters too. Higher temperatures may release the tension in the yarns and cause the fabric to shrink.
2. Tightness of the Woven Fabric
The tightness of the woven fabric is an important factor for shrinkage in 80 cottons 20 polyester fabric. Nowadays, pre-shrunk cotton is used in a lot of fabrics.
In the case of pre-shrunk cotton, the clothing item is most likely to hold its shape after washing and drying. But if you use very high heat, it will still shrink.
How to Prevent 80 Cotton 20 Polyester From Shrinking?
Here are some tips to prevent 80 cotton 20 polyesters from shrinking:
- Avoid using more than 40°C temperature in the washer. If possible, hand-wash the garment with cold water.
- Use mild soap while washing.
- Use delicate drying cycles in the dryer.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Does only 80 percent polyester shrink?
Answer: Polyester is known for its durability and does not shrink under normal circumstances. A combination of 80 percent polyester with other materials means a high resistance against shrinkage and shouldn’t shrink at a temperature under 70°C. But it may start shrinking at a higher temperature.
2. Polyester or cotton- which is more likely to shrink?
Answer: Cotton is a natural fiber that makes it vulnerable to shrinking. On the other hand, polyester is a synthetic fiber and is well known for its strength. Hence, between polyester and cotton, cotton is more likely to shrink.
3. What Percentage of Cotton Will Shrink
Cotton will shrink depending on the percentage used in the combination. 100 percent cotton may shrink up to 20% depending on the heat used while washing and drying. In the case of pre-shrunk cotton, that percentage can come down to 5%.
Cotton mixed with polyester tends to shrink less than pure cotton. A higher percentage of polyester will reduce the amount of shrinkage.
Final Words
Though the quantity of polyester in 80 cotton 20 polyester is not as much as cotton, it can reduce shrinkage noticeably comparing when compared with pure cotton. Still, you should be cautious while washing and drying your garment. Because even polyester starts shrinking after a certain point.
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