Does Nylon Shrink? Explore Safe Shrinking Techniques

Nylon is one of the most versatile and usable fabrics on the market. A common question customers ask before purchasing nylon is whether it shrinks.

Nylon is a synthetic polymer fabric with high resistance properties. It is not easy to shrink nylon, but altering circumstances might change your opinion. It is a good practice to check the label before purchasing any fabric.

This blog post covers the physical and shrinkage properties of nylon, suitable conditions, and caring tips for nylon fabric. 

Introduction of Nylon

Before knowing whether nylon is shrinkable or not, it is beneficial to understand nylon fabric. It is an artificial material, also known as Polyamide fabric. The repetition of amide groups in the polymeric functional chains makes it a solid thermosetting polymeric material. 

Nylon has good physical and mechanical properties. It is tear-resistant, water-resistant, and temperature-resistant. Its comprehensive properties allow it to be used in various technical and textile industries.

Does Nylon Shrink?

Nylon is formed after rigorous testing and in a suitable environment. It is not easy to shrink nylon, but high temperatures can easily disintegrate it. A temperature of about 80 to 100 °C is not suitable for nylon, as it causes shrinkage of the fabric. 

Nylon’s shrinkage varies depending on the type used and the manufacturing conditions. If the nylon is 100 % pure, there is very little chance of shrinking, but it also depends on how much the fabric is cared for.

If your nylon material is not pure and contains other natural materials like cotton, the fabric can easily shrink if not handled properly. 

Shrinking Rate

Generally, nylon’s shrinkage rate is between 0.5 % and 2 %. However, it can vary depending on the properties of synthetic materials.

Cause of Shrinkage

The disturbance in the nylon’s polymeric chains causes the fabric to shrink. When water molecules enter inside the chain, they fill up the spaces between the chains. This hinders the molecules, resulting in the distortion of the amide linkage. 

Heat

In the presence of hot water, the attractive forces between the polymeric structures reduce, resulting in fewer gaps between the chains. When the gap reduces, the fibers become tense, which leads to the fabric’s shrinkage. 

Compression

Tangling and compression damage the nylon fabric and lead to its compression. It happens when we rub the nylon fabric together. It also occurs when nylon clothes are washed with other abrasive clothes.

Fabrication

The knitting or weaving of nylon fabric is also a crucial factor in its shrinkage. If the fibers are not strongly woven, this affects the fabric’s stretching properties, leading to shrinkage. 

Chemicals

Various harsh chemicals also cause the nylon to shrink. Acids and alkaline media break the polymer structures within the nylon material, reducing the gaps between the structures¹. 

Does Nylon Shrink in Washing Machines?

If you use normal-temperature water, nylon cannot shrink. Water molecules absorb into the fabric, temporarily making it grow in size. The scenario is different if we use hot water.

Hot water is used to wash nylon cloth if our sole purpose is to shrink the fabric. For this, use hot water for a complete wash cycle with only nylon clothes in the machine. It will indeed shrink the fabric to some extent.

Nylon is also mixed with rayon or spandex to form a combined synthetic material. It is stretchable and easy to maintain. When you wash it in hot water, the rayon causes the material to shrink after absorbing the hot water.

Rayon is not the cause of shrinking. It depends on the overall product and the washing conditions of the fabric. 

Does Nylon Shrink in the Dryer?

Nylon shrinks in the dryer, provided the suitable conditions are met. Drying the nylon at very high heat shrinks the material. The fabrication properties of the materials also affect the shrinkage.

If the fabric blends nylon with some other material, it may quickly shrink or damage. It is commonly observed that excessive heat damages the fabric. Polyester fabric is a blend of nylon and polyester. It shrinks when dried in hot water, depending on the percentage of polyester used in the fabric.

It is best practice to wash and dry nylon fabric in cold water. This preserves the product’s original color and shape. Also, read the instructions on the tags attached to the cloth. This helps increase the life of the nylon fabric. 

Does Spandex Shrink?

Spandex is a highly stretchable material made of polyurethane. It is high in demand because of its flexibility and sweat-resistant properties. Athletes of various sports categories prefer this material because of its excellent features.

It is a synthetic material with a limited temperature range for washing and cleaning. It is 500% stretchable, but the same goes for shrinking. It is easy to shrink this material at a temperature above 65 °C. 

Washing the spandex in hot water leads to the shrinkage of the spandex fabric. Nylon spandex material is also available in the market. It is made with a combination of nylon and spandex under controlled conditions. 

This material has good wear and tear-resistant properties. Shrinking occurs when fabric is exposed to excessive heat or hot water. It is necessary to wash and dry using cold water and store in a cool and dry place.

How to Shrink Nylon?

Sometimes, you buy nylon or polyester cloth that is too big for you. You think of throwing it away, but there is a chance that you can make it fit. The shrinking of fabric depends on the fabrication and shrinking process of the material.

Follow the below-mentioned steps, and you can shrink your fabric to some extent. 

Locate Tags

Always look for tags attached to the fabric. They contain important details about the chemicals used and the washing conditions that are best for the fabric. 

If the fabric is made of pure nylon, it may not shrink at all. However, various blending fabrics are available in the market, including cotton and nylon, spandex and nylon, rayon and nylon, polyester and nylon, silk and nylon, etc. 

A fabric made of a combination of two polymers is easy to shrink because the polymeric chains are not strong enough, as in the case of pure nylon. Water moves inside the chains, causing the bonds to break, resulting in the shrinking of the fabrics. 

Wash the Fabric

Set the washing machine on the hottest water before starting the wash cycles. This is crucial for shrinking nylon. If the fabric is made of nylon and some other polymer, like rayon or spandex, there is a high chance of shrinking.

The addition of detergents or other cleaning agents is not necessary. It has no effect on the fabric’s physical properties. If the fabric requires cleaning, you can add it as desired. 

Dry the Fabric

Drying nylon fabric is an important step to prevent shrinkage. Do not use the most heated settings of the dryer, as this can cause the natural fibers to disintegrate. Shrinkage happens in materials made by combining two or more polymers. 

After one dry cycle:

1. Check the fabric instantly.
2. If further shrinking is required, put the fabric back in the dryer for another cycle.
3. Repeat the process to check whether shrinking is happening or not. 

Hem the Fabric

In most cases, shrinking is required if the cloth is too long and its width is more significant than needed. But if you use a machine and dryers, the cloth will shrink in both directions.

Hemming the fabric in your desired length and width is suitable before washing it thoroughly. Measure out the desired size and mark the area that is not necessary. Also, leave some extra room for them.

Cut the fabric from the marked area. After folding, iron the area at an average temperature. Don’t burn out the nylon fabric due to excessive heat. Use a sharp needle and thin nylon thread to sew the corners of the fabric.

You can sew it by hand or use a sewing machine. Overall, it depends on the fabric; some require steam iron for reshaping, and others don’t.

Caring Tips for Nylon Fabric

It is essential to take care of your fabric, whether made of nylon, rayon, spandex, or some other material. It ensures that the fabric lasts long without damage or color fading. Some caring tips for fabrics are as follows;

Washing

As mentioned earlier, wash the fabric using cold or mild water to preserve the fabric material for an extended period. Avoid using hot water or harsh chemicals as they fade the fabric’s color and shrink it.

Also, wash them separately to avoid tangling with other fabric materials.

Drying

Use an air-drying method for your nylon garments. This prevents the shrinking of the fabric. You can also dry your fabric using a fan or hair dryer in a cool setting. This will not affect the fabric in any way. 

Ironing

Ironing the fabric at high heat causes the fabric to shrink or burn. Use average heat for ironing the cloth. Firstly, check the iron heat by placing it on the inner side of the fabric. After ensuring safety, gently iron the fabric at average speeds.

Storing

After proper washing and ironing, hang nylon clothes in an upright position to avoid wrinkles and scuffs on the fabric. It is not a good practice to fold them, but if necessary, fold the fabric gently without pressing down too hard. 

Remember these tips for effective care of your fabric. Always read the label before purchasing any fabric to ensure proper care.  

Conclusion

Nylon does not shrink in its pure form. If the fabric blends nylon with other polymer substances, there is a high chance of shrinkage after washing or drying the fabric.

Nylon is used in various fields, such as garments, bags, ropes, etc., due to its high resistance and durable nature. However, it is necessary to learn about the fabric before using or cleaning it for various purposes.

I hope this article explains every aspect of nylon fabric’s shrinkage. Please let us know in the comments if you have any queries or suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Article Sources

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1. Causes of the fabrics shrinkage in the washing process, depending on their composition:
   wool, cotton/linen, polyester/nylon. Laundry Guide ↩︎