Whether it’s a favorite silk blouse or the coziest wool sweater, almost everyone has a few go-to garments they simply can’t live without. When it comes to caring for the items we love most, there’s a certain level of care required. Depending on the item in question, that might mean avoiding the washing machine. After all, tossing certain delicates in with the rest of your dirty laundry can result in serious damage to the items you love most.

To help keep your wardrobe essentials looking their best, we asked clothing care experts Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd of The Laundress to explain which garments should never be cleaned in the washing machine and how they should be laundered instead. Plus, the duo shared their best advice for getting a little more wear out of your clothes.

Cashmere and Wool

Putting your favorite pullovers and cardigans in the washer can be risky. Sneaky snags and shrinkage are common outcomes when cashmere and wool are washed this way. While you can ensure they’ll be in good hands at the dry cleaners, both Whiting and Boyd recommend washing these items by hand to avoid tears, snags, and misshaping. To wash, fill your sink, tub, or basin with water and add a gentle cleanser. Submerge your item, swirl it around in the water, and leave it to soak for up to half an hour; drain and rinse until the water runs clear. Avoid ringing, as this can disfigure the item. Lay your items flat to dry.

Silk

When it comes to your favorite silk items, there’s a good chance the care tags all say “dry clean only.” However, it is possible to launder these items at home. The preferred method? You guessed it: handwashing. “This is the best and safest method to avoid the risk of shrinking, snagging, and other damage,” say Whiting and Boyd. To do so, use cool water and gentle detergent. Hang your items to dry, but avoid leaving them in sunny spots, which can cause color fading.

Bras

Not only can bra hooks risk snags on your other clothing, but the straps and band may stretch out and lose their shape when spinning with the rest of your load. If you can, wash these items by hand and steer clear of the dryer. You’ll want to lay them flat to dry, as hanging can also cause your bras to stretch.

Structured Garments

Though the fabric of the item in question may be washer-friendly, throwing your favorite fitted pantsuit or a pretty pleated skirt into the wash is not ideal. “Structured items, like suits and jackets with shoulder pads, can become distorted in the washing machine,” warn Whiting and Boyd. They recommend taking these wardrobe staples to your trusted dry cleaner instead.

Clothing With Embellishments

From sewn-on sequins to intricately beaded embroidery, items that sport a lovely embellishment rarely look their best after they emerge from the wash cycle. In fact, there’s a good chance they end up snagging other items in the machine and possibly the machine itself. Instead, leave these pieces for your dry cleaner to handle or wash them at home by hand in a bit of lukewarm water and mild detergent. Swirl the items around until soapy and let sit for 20 minutes before draining, rinsing (but never wringing), and laying flat to dry.

Leather

Unless you’ve got a really good reason to wash your leather items, both Whiting and Boyd advise steering clear of doing so…ever. “Genuine leather can shrink as a reaction to water,” they tell us. If you’re looking to spot clean, consider gently doing so with a baby wipe. If that leather bomber you adore is in need of a bit more TLC, consider consulting a leather care specialist to make sure it gets the best treatment.

Pro Tip: Whatever You’re Washing, Be Sure to Avoid Overdoing It

Unless your clothing is sporting a serious stain or has endured a rather sweaty summer day, the Laundress laundresses remind us that washing an item more times than necessary can actually cause wear and tear without you even realizing it. “To keep clothes fresh between washing, consider using our Fabric Fresh,” suggest Whiting and Boyd. “It is strong enough to remove unwanted odors and adds scent, making it wearable before having to wash it again.”

There’s nothing worse than reaching for your favorite sweater and realizing it feels stale or stiff, rather than freshly-washed and fluffy—especially when you know it should be clean.

But before you start pouring in capfuls of detergent or loading up on fabric softener, our experts are here to spill exactly how to keep clothes fresh, both in terms of scent and fabric quality.

Wash at the Lowest Possible Temperature

Although washing a load of towels or sheets with hot water is great for disinfecting and breaking down bacteria, higher temperatures are often too powerful for clothing.

“Hot water can break down fibers and lock in smells on synthetic clothing,” laundry expert Alicia Sokolowski says. “Cold and warm water preserve fabric integrity, and can still clean effectively.”

If in doubt, check the label on each of your items to find the ideal temperature setting for an effective yet gentle clean.

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Use Detergent According to Instructions

Loading up on as much detergent as possible may seem like it would help achieve that freshly-washed scent, but pros say it can actually do the opposite; it’s a mistake that’s harmful for both your machine and items.

“Make sure to use the right—and the correct amount—of detergent,” laundry pro Jacqueline Sava says. “Most of us use too much, which can lead to residue on the fibers. Your favorite clothes don’t need harsh whiteners, brighteners, or heavy ingredients.”

Avoid Overfilling the Washer (and Your Wardrobe)

Our experts all agree: overfilling a washing machine prevents clothes from feeling fresh. But according to Sokolowski, cramming items in when putting your laundry away can be just as much of a culprit.

“Overloading prevents water and detergent from circulating properly,” she explains. “Clothes that don’t rinse fully end up with lingering odors and rougher textures. Always leave space in the drum for proper agitation—and avoid overstuffed drawers or plastic bins, which trap humidity and smells.”

Dry Clothes Fully Before Storing

When it comes to keeping clothes fresh, the way you dry is just as important as the way you wash. If space and weather allow, laundry expert Frej Lewenhaupt encourages air-drying outside to minimize signs of wear and fading; if not, a tumble dry on low is the way to go.

No matter which drying method you use, the key to preserving that just-laundered feeling—and preventing mildewy smells—is ensuring items are completely dry before putting them away.

Don’t Wash Too Often

When it comes to items like denim, knitwear, bras, and briefly-worn evening dresses, washing after every use isn’t necessary for maintaining a crisp and clean feel.

“To keep your clothes looking fresh and new for longer, I recommend washing less,” Lewenhaupt says. “While it may sound counterintuitive, frequent laundering slowly causes wear and tear, leading to discoloration and misshapen clothing.”

Air Clothes Out After Wear

If you are planning to put a sweater or pair of jeans away after a quick coffee or dinner out, giving your clothes some time to breathe before putting them back is key to keeping them ready for their next use.

“You can certainly get multiple wears out of clothes between washes, but be sure to air them out before putting them back,” Sava suggests. “If your clothes aren’t aired out before being stuffed in a drawer, whatever odors or ambient dirt are still on them will transfer onto other clothes.”

Start Steaming

If you’re re-wearing an item and it doesn’t feel quite as clean as you’d like, you don’t have to throw it in the washing machine yet; Lewenhaupt recommends breaking out the steamer instead.

“My top tip for keeping your lightly-worn garments fresh in between washes is steaming,” he says. “The hot steam kills bacteria, surface dirt, and odors while removing wrinkles to leave your clothes clean and fresh without an official wash.”

Freshen With Scent Post-Wash

Instead of loading up on detergent or fabric softener during laundry cycles, our pros recommend bringing the scent factor after the fact—either through fabric sprays or scented solutions in clothing storage areas.

“Cedar blocks, dried lavender sachets, or baking soda pouches in closets and drawers can absorb moisture and release a gentle, clean scent,” Sokolowski says. “You can also use a natural linen spray or diluted vinegar-water spritz to refresh clothes without overwashing. This helps prevent detergent buildup, as well as fabric fatigue.”

Everyone has unintentionally shrunk a shirt or two—and it’s usually near devastating. But what if that’s exactly the goal? If you’re trying to get a more tailored fit, rescue a thrift store find, or experiment with your laundry skills, intentional shrinkage can be a handy trick. But before you toss anything in hot water and hope for the best, it’s good idea to have a game plan in place backed by the science of fabric and fibers. 

We consulted a laundry scientist for expert-backed tips to help you shrink your clothes on purpose (without destroying them in the process).

A Word of Warning

Shrinking clothes on purpose is definitely a “try at your own risk” situation—but with the right technique and some expert guidance, like from laundry scientist Sammy Wang, you can take control of your fit. Just be prepared for some trial and error.

“Because there are so many types of fabrics, fibers, and construction variables in clothing, there’s no way to fully predict how a garment may shrink and change,” explains Wang. “We don’t recommend intentionally shrinking clothes. But we do understand there can be scenarios where you’d want to shrink items for a better fit.”

The Risks Involved

The main risk here is fabric damage, our expert shares. “For natural fibers like cotton, over-drying them in the dryer could cause excess abrasion, pilling, fuzzing, and fading.” Some fabrics just aren’t cut out for this method at all. “We don’t recommend this method for synthetic, stretchy fabrics (like spandex or elastane) because heat and over-drying can cause them to become brittle and potentially lose their elasticity,” Wang explains.

“Additionally, woven polyester (like a machine-washable satin) is unlikely to shrink using this method, so you will need to get something like that tailored.” Wool garments can also easily be ruined through this method. “Exposing wool to high amounts of water will cause excessive shrinkage, making it pretty much unwearable,” says Wang.

When in doubt, simply follow Wang’s golden rule: “To take the best care of your garments, always follow the care instructions.”

What Clothes Are Shrinkable?

Wang explains that natural fibers are the most prone to shrinkage. “Clothes made with natural fibers such as cotton are more likely to shrink because they are more hydrophilic or ‘water-loving,’ meaning they tend to absorb moisture and swell.” As fibers absorb moisture, they expand in width but contract in length, which causes the fabric to shrink. When the garment is then over-dried, that shrinkage can become permanent.

Synthetic materials are usually tougher to shrink. Wang explains that clothes made with synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, are less likely to shrink because they do not tend to absorb moisture and swell, thereby maintaining their length.

The way a fabric is constructed matters, too. “Knit fabrics such as t-shirts and sweaters will shrink more, but they also have more elasticity so they can regain their shape more easily than a woven fabric such as dress pants,” Wang says. “A garment that has a lot of open space (like a knit) will be more likely to shrink than something like a woven, which doesn’t have a lot of open space between fibers.”

How to Shrink Clothes on Purpose

Here’s exactly how to shrink clothes in the wash if you’re ready to take the risk (and have determined your fabric is suitable). Follow the steps below carefully and heed Wang’s advice for best results.

1. Launder the Garment: Wash the garment following the care label instructions, avoiding the delicate cycle. While many people think hot water is essential, Wang clarifies, “The water temperature is not a huge factor in shrinkage. It’s typically caused by the water itself and the agitation experienced in the washer, so any wash temperature should work.”
2. Over-Dry: After removing clothes from the washer, Wang says to ‘over-dry’ clothes in a dryer using a standard heat setting. “Contrary to what you may think, higher temperatures do not necessarily shrink clothes more,” Wang explains. “It’s actually the level of dryness that you achieve which will lock in shrinkage.”
3. Ensure Target Moisture Level: How dry is dry enough? According to Wang, the target moisture level for over-drying is less than 20 percent moisture. A typical sensor dry cycle will not achieve this, so to purposefully achieve this level of over-dry Wang suggests using a timed cycle set for much longer than a typical dry cycle. Another option is to run clothes through multiple dry cycles consecutively. 
4. Repeat as Needed: You can repeat the wash/dry cycle until the garment reaches the size you want, but proceed cautiously.

What If You Shrink Something A Little Too Well?

If your clothes came out of the dryer a little snugger than you hoped, Wang offers some hope, at least for natural knit fabrics. Here’s how to reverse accidental shrinkage.

1. Mix Your Solution: Fill a bucket with room temperature water and add half a cap of Downy fabric softener, mixing thoroughly. “The fabric softener will lubricate and condition fibers, allowing them to shift more easily,” Wang explains. 
2. Soak and Rinse: Saturate and soak the garment in the solution for 15 minutes, then gently rinse with cold water and wring out any excess moisture.
3. Stretch the Garment: Gently and carefully stretch the wet garment out on a flat surface or drying rack to the desired size and shape. (You can use household items like clean jars to weigh the edges down.)
4. Allow to Dry: Air-dry the garment thoroughly.
5. Adhere to the Care Label: For future washes, wash and dry according to the care label, being careful to avoid over-drying.