Do The Dryers Shrink Jeans And Is Air-drying An Alternative?

Last Updated on September 4, 2023 by Chase Reiner

Yes, dryers can shrink jeans due to heat. Air-drying is a gentler alternative to prevent shrinkage and preserve jean quality. Lay them flat or hang to dry for best results.

Do Jeans Shrink In The Dryer?

Jeans shrink in a dryer. Shrinking is a problem that destroys the jeans’ fabric, so what do you do to change that? You have two viable options. 

If you want to use the dryer to dry your fabric, you can concentrate on using low heat or take the better option through a long, tedious process. Air drying is better than using a dryer as it protects your jeans from shrinkage.

This article takes you through why dryers can shrink your pair of jeans, the advantages of using air-drying, and ways to un-shrink your jeans. You will find meaningful solutions using an alternative to a dryer while taking care of your beloved jeans.

What Are The Advantages Of Air-drying And Why You Should Consider Using It?

How do you usually dry your jeans after washing them? If you currently use a dryer, you should consider drying your clothes on the line. Line drying, also known as air drying, is what it sounds like as it consists of hanging your jeans on a clothing line to dry naturally. 

While it takes slightly longer than using a machine dryer, line drying has several advantages. Here are some benefits of drying your jeans on aline.

1. Air Drying Prevents Colors From Bleeding On Other Clothes

Color bleeding means the jeans lose some of their dye when on the dryer. The dye of jeans bleeds on another piece of clothes. When you hang your clothes on the hanging line, the clothes dry without causing any color bleeding. The thing is that most of the new jeans bleed their colors; this is why you should always hang them.

2. The Air-Drying Technique Saves You Some Energy

You are going to save energy when you air-dry your jeans. When using a dryer, you use lots of energy translates to a lot of electricity consumption. You will deal with a high utility bill when consuming too much electrical power. 

Air-drying your jeans on the clothing line eliminates the need for using too much electricity, which is an eco-friendly option.

3. Air-Drying Helps To Avoid Static Cling

Static cling is when the cloths stick to other fabrics and materials. When you dry your jeans in a dryer, the jeans swirl in the dryer, and the static cling takes place with the combination of friction and dry air entrapped in the dryer machine. To get rid of the static cling, you can use air drying.

4. Air Drying Helps In The Retention Of Shape And Size

Air-drying helps the jeans keep their size and form, hence your pair of jeans will not alter their shape and size. You can repeat the process of washing and air-drying your jeans as many times as you want in your lifetime, and they will never lose their size and form. However, your dryers will shrink your jeans more in shape and size because they use heat when air-drying them. Fortunately, line-drying your jeans will keep them in their natural form and size. 

5. Your Jeans Get To Have An Amazing Fresh Smell

When you air-dry your jeans, the smell they ooze will be unique. It happens in a way that any foul smell in the jeans will be solely neutralized by the exposure of the jeans to this fresh outdoor air. 

The outdoor drying doesn’t rule out that you can always air dry them in your indoor space. It includes a shower curtain rod, or an indoor line drying will sort that out.

6. The Air-Drying Helps In Preventing Damage

The other importance of air-drying your jeans is that they will not get damaged. When line-drying your jeans, you prevent them from premature wear and tear caused by using a dryer. If you dry your jeans in the tumble dryer too often, you may have to replace them as wearing out degrades them over time. 

Drying clothes on the line is a gentler way. It doesn’t rely on friction, and it doesn’t put your pants in direct contact with other clothing or surfaces. As a result, line drying will help you get more use out of your clothes. If you line-dry your jeans, they will last longer and be more resistant to damage.

Is It Possible To Unshrink Your Jeans?

Yes, if your favorite pair of jeans is suddenly feeling a little snug post-wash, you can un-shrink them using some clever tried-and-true tactics.

1. The simplest solution is to spray the jeans with water, especially in the areas where they feel tight, such as the waistband and calves. Once the cloth is sufficiently damp, stretch the fibers back out by pushing the jeans in all directions to reshape them.

2. There are some cases where you cannot reverse the product’s shrinkage, but you can at least stretch the trousers out a little in most cases. Spray the product with lukewarm water to see if it helps.

3. Start by getting the area you want to stretch out damp and pulling the product. It would be best to keep repeating the technique a few times. You can also hang them to dry naturally. Do not try to reinstall the offending dryer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is It Necessary To Dry Clean Your Jeans?

If you’re anxious about washing your jeans, you can dry-clean them instead. Dry-washing your jeans is a simple approach to reduce shrinkage and maintain them in perfect condition. But, handwashing and then air-drying will be ideal for taking good care of your jeans and increasing their lifespan.

What If I Don’t Have A Clothing Line To Air Dry My Jeans?

If you have an indoor shower line in your bathroom, you can air dry it indoors. Another alternative is drying the jeans on a hanging line you will make on your balcony. 

To make a hanging line, you need a rope and two poles for the construction. These will help in air-drying your jeans. 

Conclusion

If you have a dryer, you would want to use it as it saves time and is less tedious. But it causes shrinkage as it uses too much heat to do its drying work. However, there is an alternative to air drying, which is time-consuming and doesn’t cause shrinkage. You have to decide on using an air dryer as it has many advantages. For instance, air-drying saves your energy, prevents damage to your jeans, helps retain the size and form of your jeans, and prevents color bleeding. 

The air-drying method is also very eco-friendly, and while using it, you are getting more advantages as you are saving the environment from harm. This page explains why the dryer shrinks your jeans and offers an alternative drying method. Hope it will be beneficial to you.

References:

https://tallpaul.ca/do-jeans-shrink-in-the-dryer/
https://www.clorox.com/learn/how-much-do-jeans-shrink-when-washing-drying/