You may have heard that artificial fibers such as acrylics do not shrink. In fact, this is true for most types of acrylic fabric, but there are some minor exceptions. The most common type of Acrylic does not shrink at all when properly cared for.
Shrinkage can be a problem with natural materials such as cotton because even though the amount of material does not change, the weave changes due to moisture and heat. Acrylic does not suffer from these problems because it does not absorb water like many other fabrics. Therefore, when you wash an item made with 100% acrylic fabric in warm or hot water, the item will look the same size after washing as before washing.
This article will describe why Acrylic does not shrink, how it does not shrink, and why some forms of Acrylic do cause shrinking. It will also explain how to reduce the chances of shrinking when you wash Acrylic.
What is acrylic fabric?
Acrylic is a synthetic polymer which by weight, is polyester and does shrink. Acrylic fabrics are used for their water-repellent feature, durability, wrinkle resistance, and colorfastness in the washing machine. These fabrics can be knitted, woven, or made into leather.
At first glance, it would appear that Acrylic does not shrink. However, it does shrink if put in a hot dryer and does not hold up well to dry on a clothesline or use the air-drying method.
Why does not Acrylic shrink?
Acrylic does not shrink because it does not absorb water. The only way that Acrylic can end up with a smaller size is if the fabric is changed chemically and the structure of the fibers are altered. This does happen to synthetic fabrics, but usually in industrial settings.
To understand how an artificial fiber such as Acrylic responds in the washer and dryer, one must first understand how natural fibers react.
Natural fabrics vs. Acrylic:
Natural fibers such as cotton have a habit of shrinking because they are attached to each other by way of the cotton fibers. When this chaing shrink, it affects the weave enough to make a noticeable change in the appearance of the finished product.
On the other hand, Acrylic does not have a woven structure, so does not suffer from this problem. Even though there is no direct connection among different threads of fabric, they do move and relax with respect to one another when washed in the washer.
The shrinkage does not change the volume of fabric but does alter the structure. This does not cause a problem if you have 100% acrylic fabric. It does create problems with blends that contain less than 100% acrylic fabric. This means that items labeled as 50/50 or 70/30 may not perform well when washed. The safest bet is to look for 100% acrylic fabric and use hot water only.
What does shrink when you wash acrylic fabric?
If 100% acrylic does not shrink, does this mean that all types of Acrylic will not shrink? Acrylic does have two different forms: Olefin acrylic, which does shrink, and polyester acrylic, which does not shrink. The best way to tell the difference is to look at a tag. If it does not say Acrylic, then it probably is acrylic olefin. Acrylic olefin does shrink about one-fourth of an inch when washed in hot water with fabric softener. It does not shrink as much as cotton does.
Acrylic olefin does not hold up well against heat, such as dried on a clothesline or in a hot dryer but does hold its shape and color better than polyester acrylic. Polyester acrylic does not shrink with normal washing and drying methods, which is why it was chosen for use in making fleece jackets.
Does acrylic shrink in the dryer or washer?
Yes, it does! It does not just appear smaller; it does get much smaller. If you want to put your acrylic sweater in the dryer and look nice afterward, you may need to take some extra steps.
Acrylic does shrink when exposed to heat because this is how it was designed to work. Manufacturers use heat to make acrylic fabric, so does this mean the piece of clothing you have that is made from Acrylic does shrink in the dryer? The answer to this question is yes.
How do I prevent my acrylic fabric from shrinking
The simple secret to preventing Acrylic from shrinking is to take it out of the dryer before it is totally dry. By doing this, you will not have that wrinkled or shrunken look when your item does come out of the dryer. If you do not want to wait until your piece of garment finally comes out of the dryer, use a dehumidifier in the area you are drying.
Tips for using acrylic fabric in the home and on the go:
Acrylic clothing, although considered a wrinkle-free fabric when dry, can become wrinkled during the washing process. Acrylic items should not be washed in water hotter than 95º F and dried on low or warm with no more than ten minutes before being removed from the dryer.
Another option is to hand wash your acrylic garment in cool water with a mild detergent (or a free and clear fabric softener). Hang dry or lay flat on drying rack. If you plan to wear the garment soon, rinse it well in cold water. If not, rinse and hang up until the garment does not feel damp anymore.
To get rid of wrinkles in your acrylic clothing while traveling, does this mean that you should iron your dress if it does wrinkle? No, you may not need to use an iron if you do have access to a steamer, or even a clothes steamer would work well.
Acrylic Fabric Care Guide
Acrylic does not need a lot of care before washing. It does not matter what color do Acrylic comes in. The color does not affect how the fabric does its job.
Acrylic does shrink when put into a hot dryer and has some wrinkles, although it does appear wrinkle-free.
Acrylic does need to be washed in cool water with a mild detergent or free and clear fabric softener.
Since Acrylic and polyester are both heat-sensitive fabrics, is it safe to iron these materials?
Ironing synthetic fabrics is not recommended because the heat from an iron can melt the fibers and potentially cause holes in your garment. Ironing does tend to set synthetic fabrics into creases that are difficult to remove. However, Acrylic does tend to wrinkle easily, so ironing does help out if you plan to wear your sweater within a short time.
Is there a difference between Acrylic and polyester when washed?
Yes! Polyester does tend to shrink less than does Acrylic. Most sweaters are made with Acrylic, but other types of clothing do come in a polyester variety.
Does fabric softener make acrylic more wrinkle-resistant?
Fabric softeners come in both softening and anti-static versions. It does not matter which type you choose; they will do the same job for your garment.
Should you wash Acrylic before using it?
This does depend on where and how does the fabric come into contact with your skin. It does not matter if it is washed or unwashed because they are both going to shrink once exposed to heat.
How does wool react in comparison with acrylic fabrics?
Wool does behave differently than Acrylic does. Both Acrylic and wool can shrink in the dryer, but do not need to be removed from the dryer before drying. However, Acrylic will wrinkle and appears a bit wrinkled when come out of the dryer.
This is because both fabrics are synthetic fibers that need to be softened with a wash cycle that includes fabric softener, which can minimize this wrinkling. You can keep acrylic fabrics looking smooth and fresh by adding clothing spray, such as Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus.
If you do hand-wash acrylic clothing or other fabrics at home, does it require more time?
Washing acrylic clothing requires the same care as any other type of laundry item that you own, but overall, time will depend on how well you rinse out the detergent and how long it takes for water to go from cold to warm.
How does Acrylic feel and look compared to cotton?
Acrylic feels softer and has a slicker surface than cotton. It does not look as rough or stiff as does the texture of cotton fabric.
Acrylic does have a much higher luster but does not glow like silk. However, Acrylic appears to reflect light more than cotton, which gives fabric shine. This may seem like a minor difference, but it is important to know because the two fabrics are not interchangeable in some clothing items.
Is washing acrylic clothing with other fabrics recommended?
This does depend on the type and color of fabric that you wash together, but most garments can be safely washed in an average load, regardless of whether they are made from natural or synthetic fibers.