Is it normal for cotton clothes to shrink over time?

[bobsmith2002]

Is it normal for cotton clothes to shrink over time after washing them in hot water and drying them in high temperatures? For example, my x-large cotton sweatpants that I wash and dry almost all the time has shrunk to a medium size. But I thought high temperatures causes things to expand (simple physics, right)? But it seems it works in reverse with cotton clothes. Any thoughts?

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

this may or may not be the reason for tags lol
with that in mind, I think you should read this article.
https://www.wikihow.com/Shrink-Sweatpants

 

[LaFleche]

Pull into shape and hang them on the line instead of using a tumble dryer.

 

[thecatumbrella]

It depends on the garment for me. I've had things shrink in cool water and low heat (which is how I wash almost everything), and other cotton clothes/sheets that don't seem to budge much over time.

Hot water and high heat will definitely be rough on the fabric over time. I really only use those settings if I'm trying to kill ticks.

 

[azurbanclucker]

None of my size large clothes fit me anymore. They all shrunk.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, cotton shrinks. Unless the label says pre-shrunk. So does wool. But you might also measure your mid-section and step on a scale or look at yourself sideways in a mirror. Perhaps it's not the clothing that has shrunk, but that good food and gravity have enlarged you.