How much do products shrink in the wash?Updated 3 months ago
Great question — and luckily, the answer is quite gentle.
The 5–8% shrinkage often mentioned on care labels is a cautious estimate from the manufacturer. In our experience, products usually shrink less than this — especially when care instructions are followed.
Shrinkage typically happens in length rather than width. And how you wash matters: the gentler the care, the less change you’ll see. Tumble drying can noticeably shrink garments, so it’s best avoided unless the care label says otherwise.
Here’s a quick overview based on Team Kaiko’s experience and wash tests:
Shrinkage of Kaiko materials
| Material | Shrinkage in practice |
| 100% EcoVero™ viscose (woven) | Very minimal |
| Jersey & stretch sweatshirt (95% organic cotton, 5% elastane) | Hardly shrinks |
| Ponte Roma interlock | Approx. 2 cm in length at 30°C wash |
| Crepe viscose (60% EcoVero™ viscose, 40% viscose) | May “tighten” in wash, returns to shape with ironing/steaming |
| Muslin (100% organic cotton) | Hardly shrinks |
| EcoVero™ viscose jersey (air jet) | Hardly shrinks |
| Rib (95% EcoVero™ viscose, 5% elastane) | Hardly shrinks |
| Poplin (100% organic cotton) | Hardly shrinks |
| Interlock, 100% organic cotton | Slight shrinkage in length at 30°C, more at higher temperatures |
| Cotton knits (100% organic cotton) | Hardly shrinks, washing helps restore shape |
Do I need to consider shrinkage when choosing a size?
Usually not — you can go with your normal size.
One small exception is trousers: they almost always shrink slightly in length. If the length feels borderline when trying them on, it’s good to keep in mind they may end up a bit shorter after washing.
A simple rule of thumb: keep washing temperatures moderate, spin cycles gentle, and skip the tumble dryer — your clothes will hold their shape best.