Many of our valued dry cleaning customers in Draper and Sandy ask us about the risk of shrinkage as the result of having their clothes dry cleaned. We definitely understand the concern because there is nothing worse than falling in love with an article of clothing only to have it shrink when it gets washed!
This is a misfortune many of us have experienced when washing our clothes at home at some point so it is only natural to ask if it can also happen at the dry cleaners?
The short answer is: very rarely. To understand why, let’s look in to what causes clothing to shrink in the first place and how dry cleaning differs from standard washing.
Why Do Clothes Shrink?
You might expect that since the dry cleaning process does not require water, there shouldn’t be a risk of having your clothes shrink. The truth is that water is not the primary culprit: it’s heat and agitation.
When an article of clothing shrinks, it’s because the individual fibers that make them up have contracted and tightened up. The tiny gaps between each fiber become even tinier, until the whole garment is noticeably smaller. This can happen due to heat – whether from hot water in the washing machine, or hot air in the dryer – and can also be caused by the heavy churning and tumbling that takes place during the laundering process.
Dry cleaning is gentler on garments than a washer/dryer, but since there is a measure of heat and perhaps some tumbling involved, it’s certainly possible that some shrinkage could occur. This is considerably less likely to happen than with a standard wash. If you are particularly concerned about an item of clothing, feel free to mention it when you drop off at the dry cleaners. At Canyon View Cleaners, we offer special attention and an extra-delicate touch.
Which Fabrics Are Most Likely to Shrink?
Some fabrics are more resistant to shrinking than others. Natural fibers (like cotton and wool) are somewhat stretchy, and may contract with heat and agitation. In general, synthetics (like polyester and nylon) aren’t likely to shrink in any noticeable way. Of course, any article of clothing that’s “pre-shrunk” by the manufacturer has already been laundered – these should be pretty resistant to further shrinkage.
Looking for the best dry cleaner in Draper or Sandy, Utah? Come in to one of our convenient dry cleaning locations in Draper and Sandy for all of your dry cleaning needs.
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