Laundry Tips to Stop Clothes from Shrinking or Fading
Shrinking, fading, stretching—laundry disasters happen all the time, especially when you're in a rush or just guessing how to do it right. It’s frustrating, expensive, and kind of heartbreaking when you ruin something you loved.
The truth is: some people never learned the basics of doing laundry properly. You toss everything in, turn the dial, and hope for the best. But clothes aren’t all made equal. That hoodie, that pair of jeans, that soft tee—they all need different care. If you're mixing colors, using the wrong water temperature, or skipping labels, you're basically giving your clothes a fast pass to worn-out town.
And let’s not even talk about how annoying it is to spend money on clothes… only to ruin them by accident.
Here’s how to do laundry the right way—without shrinking, fading, or destroying your favorite pieces:
Step-by-Step: Laundry That Doesn’t Ruin Clothes
1. Check the Labels (Yep, Every Time)
Those little tags on your clothes? They’re not just for show. They tell you exactly how to care for each item—wash temp, dry setting, and more.
🔹 Tip: If it says "hand wash only" or "lay flat to dry"—believe it.
2. Sort by Color AND Fabric
Most people sort by color (light, dark, bright), but it’s just as important to sort by fabric type. Washing jeans with delicate tops? Not a good mix.
- Lights with lights
- Darks with darks
- Delicates with delicates
- Towels and heavy stuff on their own
3. Use Cold Water When in Doubt
Hot water can shrink and fade clothes. Cold water is gentle and saves energy too.
🔹 Use cold for darks, delicates, and anything you want to keep looking fresh.
4. Don’t Overload the Washer
Cramming too much in can stretch clothes, mess with the spin cycle, and stop detergent from working right. Leave space for things to move.
5. Choose the Right Detergent
Use gentle or color-safe detergent for dark and delicate clothes. Harsh detergents strip color fast.
6. Turn Clothes Inside Out
This protects the outside of your clothes from friction and fading during the wash.
7. Air-Dry When You Can
Dryers are sneaky. They shrink clothes more than you think. Air drying keeps things in shape.
🔹 Especially skip the dryer for activewear, jeans, and anything stretchy.
8. Use the Low Heat or "Delicate" Dryer Setting
If you must use the dryer, go low and slow. High heat is a shrink machine.
9. Wash New Clothes Separately First
New dark or bright clothes may bleed color. Wash them alone the first time to be safe.
Final Thoughts
Doing laundry right isn’t hard—it just takes a little attention. And once you get into the habit, your clothes will last longer, look better, and save you money.
On Oliyo.fun, we're here to help you make everyday life easier, one small task at a time.