Carhartt shirts shrink when washed: Causes & Tips

You love your Carhartt WIP shirts, but want to avoid them looking shorter or tighter after the first wash? Moderate shrinkage can occur, especially with cotton, and particularly with hot washing or drying. This guide provides a concise overview of why shirts shrink, how preshrunk finishes can help, which washing and drying settings are recommended, and what quick fixes work if a shirt does shrink. At stickabush.com, you'll find Carhartt WIP T-shirts made from high-quality materials – with the right care steps, the fit will last.

Understanding shrinkage: causes, preshrunk, materials

Why shirts shrink

The most common cause is the relaxation of the cotton fibers after production. During knitting and finishing, yarns are stretched. When heat, moisture, and mechanical movement then combine, the fibers contract. Hot water, high spin speeds, and dryer heat intensify this effect. High residual moisture in the dryer combined with a long cycle can also cause further shrinkage.

Preshrunk and garment washed

Preshrunk or garment washed means that the fabric or finished shirt has been pre-washed or heat-set to minimize shrinkage. This reduces shrinkage but doesn't eliminate it completely. Check care labels and product descriptions. Carhartt WIP uses some pre-washed jerseys, which drape softer from the start and generally retain their shape better when cared for properly. You can find examples in the Carhartt WIP Chase line and the Carhartt WIP Essentials collection .

Materials overview

Pure cotton can shrink by about 2 to 5 percent, depending on the knit and finish. Heavier jerseys often drape more stably, while thinner jerseys are more sensitive to heat. Blends with polyester or a small amount of elastane reduce the risk of shrinkage and improve shape retention. Mercerized cotton has a modified fiber surface and is more dimensionally stable, but it too reacts to excessive heat. The combination of temperature, mechanical action, and drying method is crucial. If you prefer woven fabrics to jersey: Carhartt WIP shirts behave differently due to their weave structure and are often more shape-retaining, but they too should not be exposed to excessive heat.

Practical question: Do Carhartt shirts shrink when washed?

Based on our experience with cotton shirts: Carhartt WIP shirts generally retain their shape and shrink only minimally when washed gently. It becomes problematic if you wash them significantly hotter than recommended or regularly tumble dry them on high. Shortening is particularly noticeable if you prefer a longer top or have a long torso. Looser fits like Relaxed or Loose conceal minor shrinkage better than very slim cuts. Also, pay attention to details like ribbed cuffs at the collar, which can shrink more in excessive heat. If you want to be on the safe side, wash in cool water, gently reshape the damp shirt lengthwise and widthwise, and air dry. You can find further care instructions for bottoms here: Do Carhartt WIP pants shrink in the wash?

Washing and drying settings for minimal shrinkage

Proper care is the strongest way to prevent shrinkage. Use gentle temperatures, reduce mechanical stress, and dose detergent correctly. Here's how:

• Temperature : 20 to 30 degrees is usually sufficient for everyday washing. Higher temperatures are only necessary for heavily soiled items.
• Program : The delicate or easy-care program reduces mechanical action. Spin at a moderate speed, approximately 800 to 1000 rpm.
• Detergent : Use liquid detergent in the recommended dosage. Too much detergent increases friction due to excess foam.
• Drying : Ideally in the air. Do not allow to stretch out in direct sunlight; instead, dry flat or on a hanger and pull into shape.
• Tumble dry only if necessary : ​​If needed, select low heat or gentle drying and tumble dry briefly. Remove the shirt while slightly damp and reshape it.
• Respect the care label : It provides clear information on whether tumble drying is permitted and what temperature is recommended.

Care symbol	Meaning	enema risk	Recommendation
Wash at 30°C	Wash in cold water up to 30 degrees	Low	Key recommendation for cotton shirts in everyday life
Wash at 40°C	Warm wash permitted	Medium	Only if needed, then air dry
Dryer, one point	Gentle drying	Medium	Short and low, remove the shirt while damp and shape it.
dryer, two points	Normal drying	Higher	It's best to avoid this with cotton jersey.
Do not tumble dry	Air dry only	Low	Dry on a hanger or flat, do not wring.

Pro tip: Reduce the drum load if you want to minimize shrinkage. The fuller the machine, the greater the friction. Remove shirts immediately after the wash cycle, shake them out, and gently pull the length and shoulders into shape. This stabilizes the fit before the fibers fix during the drying process.

Specific tips and immediate help

• Prevention is better than repair : Cold washing, gentle spin-drying, air drying and pulling into shape are the most effective routines.
• Consider the fit : Avoid washing tight-fitting garments in hot water. Looser fits are more forgiving of varying care instructions.
• Check product details : You can find material information in the product information on stickabush.com. Blended fabrics are often more dimensionally stable.
• Immediate relief for shrinkage : Soak the shirt in lukewarm water with a little hair conditioner or baby shampoo for 15 minutes, gently squeeze out the excess water, lay it flat, and carefully stretch it lengthwise and widthwise. Let it dry.
• Avoid pulling hard : Excessive stretching will distort seams. Work evenly and gently.
• When in doubt, do a test wash : Wash a new shirt in cold water first to check the material's behavior.

FAQ

Do Carhartt shirts really shrink when washed?

Any cotton garment can shrink slightly if cared for improperly. Washing at 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, with moderate spinning and air drying, usually minimizes the effect.

Can I put Carhartt shirts in the dryer?

Only if the label allows it, and then at a low temperature. Air drying is gentler, as dryer heat can increase shrinkage.

What does "preshrunk" mean at Carhartt WIP?

The fabric is pre-washed or heat-set to reduce shrinkage. However, shrinkage cannot be completely ruled out, so please follow the care instructions.

What settings are best for color and shape?

Wash in cold water (up to 30 degrees), use liquid detergent, easy-care program, 800 to 1000 rpm, then air dry and pull into shape.