Do Cotton Sheets Shrink? What to Expect on the First Wash

Yes, a little. 100% cotton relaxes and shrinks on its first wash, typically by 2 to 4 percent. It is normal, it happens once, and it stops if you keep heat low. We cut our patterns with this allowed for, so a Kashukuma set fits correctly after its first wash rather than before it.

Why cotton shrinks at all

Weaving stretches the yarn under tension. The first warm wash lets those fibres relax back to their natural length, and the fabric draws in slightly as a result. This is true of any honest cotton. Fabrics that do not shrink at all have usually been chemically treated to prevent it, which is a trade we do not make.

How much, and how to stop it

Expect 2 to 4 percent on the first wash. [Confirm the measured figure from your own wash test so this range can be replaced with an exact number.] After that first relaxation, shrinkage effectively stops, provided you wash cold or warm and dry on low. High dryer heat is the one thing that will keep pulling a sheet in over time, so it is the thing to avoid.

Questions

Should I wash new sheets before using them?

Yes. A first wash removes any residual finishing from production, begins the softening, and gets the one-time shrink out of the way. Percale in particular improves noticeably over its first several washes.

Will my fitted sheet still fit after washing?

Yes. Our patterns are cut with the first-wash shrink allowed for, and the 15 inch pocket depth is generous, so the fitted sheet seats correctly once the fabric has relaxed.

Does sateen shrink more than percale?

Not meaningfully. Both are 100% cotton and behave similarly. Weave affects feel far more than it affects shrink.