Nylon Fabric is a very popular synthetic fabric made from plastic, it is commonly found in a wide range of garments due to its strength and water resistance properties. This brings us to the question, does nylon shrink?
If it’s 100% Nylon, then it’s not likely to shrink in the wash unless washed at a high temperature. Nylon blended with other fibers such as cotton will be more prone to shrinkage and stretching. For best results, wash the nylon garment using cold water and air dry it afterward.
The first thing to do is to check if the garment is 100% nylon or if it’s blended with other fabrics. This can commonly be found on the garment’s tag. It’s also good practice to check the fabric care and maintenance labels for instructions on how to properly wash and dry the garment. If it’s blended, then some common fabrics you may see include linen, cotton, wool or rayon. Pure nylon is the hardest to shrink, and blended nylon depends on the fabrics that have been blended with nylon. Some fabrics are easier to shrink than others such as cotton.
Does Nylon Shrink Or Stretch?
Nylon is very stretchy and is commonly used for women’s stockings, athletic wear, and everyday items such as umbrellas and many more. Nylon’s elastic properties make it very durable and stretch-resistant. It gives an elastic feel that is low maintenance yet comfortable to wear. Note that nylon that has been blended with another fabric may lose this stretchiness.
Does Nylon Shrink In The Dryer?
Drying nylon in a dryer is usually not a good idea, as it can permanently wrinkle the garment if done incorrectly. It is better to air dry the garment instead or follow the care instructions provided by the garment. You may be able to dry it using a low heat cycle if the garment allows it.
It’s not recommended to dry on a high heat cycle, as it can cause the nylon to stretch, making it loose and baggy as synthetic fabrics usually don’t handle high heat too well.
It also depends on if the nylon is blended or not, if it is blended, then it’ll be more prone to shrinkage.
How Much Does Nylon Shrink?
It depends on what other fabrics nylon is blended with. If it’s 100% nylon, then there won’t be any to very little shrinkage. If it’s blended with another synthetic fabric such as polyester or spandex then, there will be very little shrinkage as both fabrics are very tolerant to shrinkage. If nylon is blended with a natural fabric such as cotton, it will have the greatest amount of shrinkage.
How Much Does Cotton Nylon Blend Shrink?
As cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to shrink, it can shrink as much as 20%, depending on the cotton to nylon ratio. You’ll probably encounter the most shrinkage in the first wash.
How To Prevent Nylon Shrinkage
The best way to wash nylon would be to do it manually, using your hands or cold water on a gentle wash cycle. Air drying the garment or using a low cycle dryer. As always, each garment is different, so it’s best to check the tag on the garment for proper instructions on how to wash and dry the garment.
Closing Thoughts
Nylon is one of the greatest and most popular fabrics available, you’ll see it used in a wide variety of environments, from garments to everyday items such as rope, camping gear, and more. It’s resistant to stains, shrinkage is durable, has excellent stretch, and many more properties. It’s no wonder, many choose this as their go-to fabric.