Do Jeans Shrink in the Dryer?

Almost everyone can agree that finding the perfect pair of jeans is a challenge. So, when you do finally secure that miracle pair that fits just how you want it to, you probably also want those jeans to last you a long, long time. The good news is that denim is a very durable fabric that can last for years and years—and, as some say, it can even get better with age. The not-so-good news is that if you don’t properly care for your denim, that lifespan can decrease exponentially. So, we’re here to clear up some common questions about caring for your denim—like “do jeans shrink in the dryer?”—so that you and your new favorite pair of jeans can hopefully live happily ever after.

Do Jeans Shrink in the Dryer?

Yes, jeans shrink in the dryer. If you’re looking for a more technical explanation, jeans shrink in the dryer because the high heat and the agitation from the tumbling cause the bonds in the fibers to break and the fabric to contract. (This also means that the washing machine—especially when hot water is used—can cause jeans to shrink, too.) According to Clorox, jeans shrink about 3-4% in the dryer, which, for example, on a pair of jeans with a 32″ inseam would result in about 1″ to 1.25″ of shrinkage. That could be the difference between your jeans fitting or not.

In some cases, you may intentionally want to shrink your jeans down a size, and the dryer could help you get a more perfect fit. However, we don’t recommend making a habit out of machine-drying your jeans, as the heat and agitation can also fade and break down your denim, hurting their longevity overall.

Some Jeans Shrink More Than Others

When shopping for jeans, you may have noticed that some pairs are labeled with the words “preshrunk” or “prewashed”—and these are common methods used to prevent jeans from shrinking extensively when consumers take them home and put them through the wash. However, these jeans can still shrink in the dryer, just a little bit less.

A lot of jeans nowadays are also made with a small percentage of elastane or spandex in addition to the cotton. This is intended to give jeans more of a stretch and a relaxed feeling. The use of elastane or spandex in jeans may also mean that they are more shrink-resistant. The tradeoff, however, is that they may also stretch out more when you wear them, which may, in turn, require you to put them through the wash more often.

Raw denim, which is denim that hasn’t been washed or treated at all, will shrink the most when put through the wash. It’s often recommended to avoid machine washing this type of denim entirely—and instead washing by hand or dry cleaning as infrequently as possible.

How to Prevent Jeans From Shrinking

As mentioned above, understand what type of jeans and denim you’re working with can help you reduce unexpected shrinkage. And, since shrinking happens when jeans go through a wash cycle, the easiest way to reduce shrinkage is to reduce the frequency with which you wash your jeans. There are a lot of different schools of thought out there on exactly how often you should wash your jeans but in general, you should know that the less you wash them, the less they’ll shrink, and the longer they’ll last.

Gwen Whiting, co-founder of The Laundress told us to only wash jeans after 10 or so wears, “or whenever jeans smell stale or unpleasant.” And when you do wash your jeans, always use cold water to give your denim a more gentle treatment, and hang dry them instead of throwing them in the dryer.