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Short answer
Curtains shrink mainly when natural fibres such as cotton, linen and viscose are washed warm, agitated hard or tumble-dried. Lined curtains can pucker when the face and lining shrink by different amounts, and linen can change length with humidity. Polyester barely shrinks. To prevent it, follow the care label, wash cool and gentle, never tumble dry hot, rehang damp and dry-clean lined curtains. A slightly short curtain can often be saved by letting down the hem.
Why curtains shrink
| Cause | What happens |
|---|---|
| Natural fibres | Cotton, linen and viscose swell when wet and tighten as they dry, especially with heat |
| Hot wash or dryer | Heat and tumbling make the fibres and weave draw in |
| Relaxation | Fibres stretched during weaving relax back on first washing |
| Face and lining | Two fabrics shrink by different amounts, so the curtain puckers |
| Humidity | Linen-rich curtains lengthen in damp air and shorten in dry air-conditioned rooms |
Polyester absorbs very little water, so it barely shrinks. See The Best Curtain Fabric for Malaysian Homes.
How to prevent shrinkage
- Follow the care label. It overrides everything else. See Fabric Care Symbols Explained.
- Wash cool and gentle, in a large machine, not overloaded.
- Never tumble dry hot. Rehang slightly damp so the curtain's weight pulls it to length.
- Dry-clean lined and interlined curtains, or use detachable linings washed separately. See Curtain Lining.
- Choose polyester or polyester-rich blends for curtains that will be washed often.
- Measure before washing, so you know if anything has changed.
Tip
For cotton- or linen-rich curtains, ask your curtain maker to leave a deep hem with spare fabric, so the length can be adjusted if they shrink.
Linen and humidity
Real linen can grow and shrink by a few centimetres as the humidity changes, which shows most on long curtains. Let linen-rich curtains hang for a few days before the hem is finished, and expect some movement through the year. Polyester-linen blends move far less. See Linen-Look Curtains.
If a curtain has already shrunk
- Rehang damp: the weight of a damp curtain can ease back a little length.
- Let down the hem if there is spare fabric.
- Add a band of matching or contrasting fabric at the hem, which can look deliberate.
- Re-line: if only the lining shrank, a curtain maker can replace it.
- Replace if the face fabric has shrunk unevenly or puckered badly.
Watch out
Do not stretch a wet curtain hard to regain length; it distorts the weave and the pattern.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my curtains shrink after washing?
Most likely they contain cotton, linen or viscose and were washed warm, agitated hard or tumble-dried. Polyester barely shrinks.
Do polyester curtains shrink?
Very little. Polyester absorbs almost no water and keeps its size when washed cool and gentle.
Why are my lined curtains puckered after washing?
The face fabric and lining shrank by different amounts. Dry-clean lined curtains, or use detachable linings washed separately.
Can I unshrink curtains?
Sometimes a little, by rehanging them damp. Otherwise let down the hem, add a band of fabric or replace the lining.
Why do my linen curtains change length?
Linen absorbs moisture from the air, so it lengthens in humid weather and shortens in dry air-conditioned rooms.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
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