Why did my sweater shrink?

Concerns & risks

You were trying to wash your favorite wool sweater, but it came out of the dryer two sizes smaller.

Everyday mishaps add up.

Causes & evidence

Heat and agitation shrink many fibers. See laundry care labels.

What to do

1. Read the care label.
2. Wash cool, gentle.
3. Lay flat to dry.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: drying wool or cotton knits on high heat. Heat, water and agitation together make wool fibers lock tighter, a process called felting, and once it happens it's hard to reverse. Hand wash or use a wool or gentle cycle with cool water and a mild detergent made for wool. Don't wring it; press water out gently with a towel. Lay it flat on a towel to dry, shaping it to the right size. Store sweaters folded rather than hung, which stretches shoulders. Some people gently stretch a slightly shrunk sweater while damp, but results vary. Also note that cotton can shrink, especially with hot water and high dryer heat. Buying a size up in cotton can help if you plan to dry it.

Speed Man tip: Skip the dryer for wool.

Wrap-up: Label. Cool. Flat.