How to Wash 100% Cotton Sweatshirts and Sweatpants: Washing Instructions That Stop Shrinking

There’s nothing worse than pulling your favorite sweatshirt out of the dryer and finding it fits differently. The good news: a simple laundry routine can help you minimize shrinkage and keep cotton comfortable.

The short answer: Machine wash 100% cotton sweatshirts and sweatpants in cold water, with like colors, and never exceed 40°C / 105°F. Use no bleach. Air-dry or tumble dry on low to minimize cotton’s 2-3% shrinkage. Wash sand-colored garments separately, especially for the first wash.

For a new cotton layer, browse our Classic Crewneck collection, hoodies, or cotton sweatpants. Then follow these steps to care for it.

100% cotton washing instructions at a glance

Check the care label first. If it gives stricter instructions, follow the label. Otherwise, use this temperature guide:

Water temperature	What to do
Cold, preferred	Use cold water for regular washing. It’s the gentlest choice for helping minimize shrinkage and protect color.
Up to 40°C / 105°F: maximum	Do not exceed this limit. Cold water is still the better everyday choice when you want to minimize shrinkage.
Above 40°C / 105°F, avoid	Hotter washes can increase the chance of shrinkage and may be harder on color.

Cold does not mean your clothes can’t get clean. For everyday wear, a suitable detergent and a wash with like colors are practical places to start.

How to machine wash cotton sweatshirts and sweatpants

1. Sort by color. Wash lights and darks separately. Wash sand-colored garments separately, especially for the first wash, to help prevent dye transfer.

2. Prepare the garments. Turn sweatshirts and sweatpants inside out to reduce rubbing on the outer surface. Close zippers before washing. Empty pockets, too, because a stray tissue can turn laundry day into a project.

3. Choose the cycle and detergent. Use a normal or gentle cycle, depending on the care label and how soiled the garment is. A regular, suitable laundry detergent is generally enough for everyday washing. Use the amount recommended on its packaging; more detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner clothes.

4. Wash in cold water. Keep the water at or below 40°C / 105°F, and choose cold for routine washes. Avoid bleach, which can damage fabric or affect color.

5. Take garments out promptly. Leaving damp cotton bunched up in the washer may lead to a musty smell or creases. Remove it when the cycle ends, then smooth and reshape the garment before drying.

How to dry cotton without encouraging shrinkage

Air-drying is the gentlest option. After washing, smooth out the fabric and lay heavier sweatshirts or sweatpants flat to dry. Reshape the cuffs, waistband, legs, and body while the garment is damp. You can also hang it if that works for the garment and its weight.

Using a dryer? Choose low heat. Tumble dry on low, and remove the garment while it’s slightly damp if possible. Finish air-drying it after gently reshaping. Avoid high heat and overdrying; both can increase the risk of shrinkage.

Drying method	Guidance
Air-dry	Best for minimizing exposure to heat. Smooth and reshape while damp.
Tumble dry low	A convenient option. Remove promptly, ideally before fully dry, and reshape.
High heat	Avoid. It adds unnecessary heat and can increase the chance of shrinkage.

The aim isn’t to make laundry complicated. It’s simply to keep heat under control and give the garment a chance to dry in its usual shape.

How much can 100% cotton shrink?

Cotton has 2-3% shrinkage. That’s a useful fact to keep in mind even when you’re buying a pre-shrunk garment: pre-shrunk construction is designed to support a more consistent fit, but it doesn’t mean you can ignore care instructions or that shrinkage is impossible.

To help minimize it, machine wash in cold water, maximum 40°C / 105°F, with like colors. Use no bleach, and air-dry or tumble dry on low. These steps reduce unnecessary heat exposure, though no washing routine can promise zero change in fit.

If a cotton sweatshirt or pair of sweatpants comes out feeling a little different, don’t try to stretch it aggressively while it’s wet. Instead, use the care label as your guide for future washes and choose a lower-heat drying method.

Easy habits that help cotton last

A few small choices can make your routine easier:

• Wash garments when they need it rather than automatically after every wear.
• Keep sand-colored garments separate, especially in their first wash.
• Turn items inside out to reduce friction during washing.
• Avoid bleach and keep wash temperatures at or below 40°C / 105°F.
• Use air-drying or low heat rather than high-heat drying.
• Follow the care label if it recommends a gentler method.

Cotton’s journey from plant to finished fabric is a long one. If you’re curious about how that starts, read The Life Cycle of a Cotton Plant: From Seed to 100% Cotton Sweatshirt. Understanding the material is one more reason to care for the clothes you reach for often.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to wash 100% cotton sweatshirts?

Machine wash in cold water with like colors, and do not exceed 40°C / 105°F. Use no bleach. Air-dry or tumble dry on low to minimize cotton’s 2-3% shrinkage. Follow the garment’s care label if it gives stricter instructions.

Can I put cotton sweatpants in the dryer?

Yes. Tumble dry on low heat to help minimize shrinkage. Remove the sweatpants promptly, ideally while slightly damp, and reshape them before they finish air-drying. Air-drying is another gentle option.

Does pre-shrunk cotton still shrink?

Pre-shrunk construction can help support a more consistent fit, but it does not guarantee zero shrinkage. Cotton has 2-3% shrinkage, so cold washing and low-heat or air-drying remain sensible habits.

Should I wash sand-colored cotton garments separately?

Yes. Wash sand-colored garments separately, especially for the first wash, to help prevent dye transfer.

Keep your favorite cotton in rotation

Cotton care doesn’t need to be fussy: cold wash, like colors, no bleach, and gentle drying. Remember the 2-3% shrinkage, keep the water at or below 40°C / 105°F, and wash sand-colored garments separately for their first wash.

Ready for a dependable everyday layer? Explore the Classic Crewneck collection, shop hoodies, or find your next pair of cotton sweatpants. Canadian shoppers can visit our Canada clothing guide for product options, shipping, currency, and returns information, including the 30-day return window for unused and unworn items.