The Mystery of Shrinking Clothes

The subjects that come up on vacation are sometimes educational. Mom and I were discussing laundry and how clothes shrink. Not the mystery of how closets shrink clothes, but how we had both noticed that clothes now shrink with each washing until they don't fit right. Following labels doesn't seem to work any more.

Mom mentioned that clothes made in some countries are made out of fabric that isn't pre-shrunk. Therefore it shrinks during the first few cycles through the laundry. Especially, if they are run through the dryer.

In case, you are wondering, pre-shrunk means the fabric is laundered in a standard fashion before being cut and sewn. It use to be standard practice for pre-made clothes. This probably explains why some cottons are mark wash delicate and line dry. Cotton when properly shrunk, usually deals well with washers and dryers.

Guess, I now know why some of DH's slacks became high waters after awhile. Now, I just need a list of countries who pre-shrink things. It would save me some money.