Expect up to 3% shrinkage when you wash your Dickies pants in a dryer. This is because of the cotton and polyester material they are made of.
Your Dickies Ducks, Carpenter amongst other pants will shrink when washed in the washer-dryer because these dickies are made with 65% polyester and 35% cotton.
Cotton is a good example of a material that can shrink in the dryer, the material absorbs a lot of water and takes time to dry.
Ironically, the reason you use the dryer in the first place, under the heat of the dryer, your dickies pants will curl up and become smaller than the original sizes.
There’s just a slight difference when you wash the pants and dry them on a clothesline; they will shrink either way.
It’s ideal to go for a size bigger than your normal size, if you wear a 40-inch size, then you should purchase a 42-inch size waist.
How do Dickies pants shrink when washed in the dryer?
The shrinking of your dickies pants generally occurs mostly in the drying process because the dryer requires heat, this will cause the natural fiber dickies pants to squeeze.
As your pants go through the water and tumble through the dryer, water and heat can cause them to shrink, especially if washed with hot water.
Remember that there is no exact temperature that will lead to your pants shrinking when washed in the dryer. It all depends on the fabric.
Dickies pants will shrink because of the cotton and polyester used in making them. Enough motion and heat can shrink them quite a bit.
The greater amount of cotton that your pants are made of, the more likely is it to shrink. Likewise, the amount of shrinking increases when the water temperature gets hotter.
Even if you use cold water to wash them and then set the dryer to high heat, your pants will shrink as well.
The heat and friction in a tumble dry cycle can cause the fibers of your pants to shrink, making them slightly smaller. Also, leaving your pants in the dryer after drying them will lead to more shrinkage.
How much do dickies pants shrink?
Dickies pants can shrink anywhere from 1 to 2 inches depending on how long they are washed and how hot you wash them.
If you are not careful, you can end up with pants that are too short or too tight. To avoid this, wash them only once before throwing them into the dryer.
Do take care to only wash your dickies pants one time before putting them through the dryer, this will decrease the risk of shrinkage with each wash.
Major types of dickies pants that shrink in the washer-dryer
There are two types of dickies pants that shrink when washed in the dryer. The first type is any pants made out of 100% cotton. Cotton is a natural fiber and will shrink almost always when it’s washed in the dryer.
The second type of pants is made out of 100% polyester. It is not a natural fiber, but it does tend to shrink quite often when washing.
Examples of these types of dickies pants that shrink when you wash them in the dryer are
- Dickies Men’s Performance Pants
- Dickies Alpha Khaki
- Dickies Alpha Chinos Twill
- Dickies Alpha Stretch Twill Slim Fit Pants
Dickies Men’s Performance Pants
This type of dickies pants is made up of 98% cotton and 2% spandex. They come in varieties of color; black, dark charcoal, and dark navy.
The pant is equipped with a multitude of pockets, you will be guaranteed that they will fit all your gadgets because the pockets are from bottom to cell.
It has spacious compartments, and also moisture-wicking abilities.
It has a heavy CB belt loop for added reinforcement. The pants sit slightly below the waist, extra room in the seat and thigh, straight leg, and perfectly relaxed.
Dickies Alpha Khaki
These pants are another type of dickies that shrink when washed in the dryer. They are made of 60% cotton and 40% polyester, and they come in a variety of colors.
Dickies alpha khakis stretch for a great fit and have a slimming silhouette. They also feature a four-front pocket and an elastic waistband with a drawstring.
You can machine wash these pants but be careful. They shrink when they do.
Dickies Chino Twill
This is also a major type of dickies pants that shrink. The pants are made up of lightweight fabric that provides you with more mobility than other styles.
The loose-fit design has plenty of room for your feet to breathe, so there’s no need to worry about sweat or odor problems.
They are long-lasting since they’re machine washable and won’t fade after several washes like some other brands might do.
Dickies Alpha Stretch Twill Slim fit pants
These features include 35% cotton and 65% polyester to give them enough stretchiness for comfort without compromising any style points.
They’re perfect for those who want a clean look but still want some flexibility as well as those who don’t like baggy clothing items on their bodies.
This set of dickies pants shrinks when washed in the dryer.
How to prevent your dickies pants from shrinking when washed in the dryer
Dickies pants are a nice fit and comfortable wear. But, what happens when you wash them in the dryer? Unfortunately, they will shrink and become too small for you.
There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent your dickies pants from shrinking when washed in the dryer.
Make sure you have enough space in your dryer before adding the dickies pants
Adding too much clothing at one time will take up all the space in the dryer and your dickies pants will be sitting on top of other items in the dryer without any room to move around.
Consequently, when they are heated by the heat from the dryer they will shrink more when they come out instead of shrinking from when they went in.
Take them out and lay them flat on a mattress or clothesline to air dry overnight.
This will allow them to drip-dry for a few hours and then you can put them into your drawer or closet for use later on.
Take them to re-dry in dryer
If you want to speed up the drying process after laying flat to air-dry overnight, place an old towel over the dickies pants and turn your clothes dryer back on a high setting.
This helps to get rid of excess water while still retaining the size and shape until you need them again for use later on.
You can also prevent your dickies pants from shrinking by not putting them in the dryer, washing with cold water, and sprinkling dryer sheets ok the pants before washing.
This also helps remove excess lint and hair that may stick to the fabric.
By following these steps, you will be able to keep your favorite pair of pants from shrinking when washed in the dryer.
How often should you wash your Dickies pants?
There are many different types of dickies pants. But all of them will shrink when washed in the dryer, that’s because cotton is a natural fiber that shrinks when it gets used on the dryer.
Dickies pants can be worn multiple times before you can wash them again, after 2-3 wearing.
It is good to know how often you should wash your pants to help make sure they look their best. Also, have it in mind that you should wash as soon as possible if there is any stain.
If you have some dickies pants in your closet that are too big or too small for you, there are two main things you need to remember:
- Wash them after every wear. They don’t necessarily need to be worn for an entire day before being washed, and they can’t be left sitting around either.
- Don’t put them in the dryer even if they come out fine after a few washing, they will certainly shrink even more after subsequent washes and drying cycles. Sooner or later they will end up too small or too big for you.
Where do Dickies pants shrink the most when washed in the washer-dryer?
Your pants can shrink in length making them too short, probably you are tall but it could be the right length for a short person.
Likewise, your dickies pants can perfectly fit in length but not in the waist, sometimes, the waist will fit perfectly but will be too long.
This will leave you wondering where your pants shrink mostly. It is important to know that your pants can shrink in length and width, or both.
In the waist
Dickies pants shrinking in the waist depends on the waist size. The pants can shrink in the waist as much as 1-3 inches.
If your pants have a smaller waist size, they are likely not to shrink as much as pants with larger waist sizes.
In length
This part is where you should expect much shrinkage from 3-4%; the inseam and outseam length are both affected.
Dickies can shrink about 1 to 1 ¼ inches in length. It’s quite okay if you are short or petite and your pants seem to be too long.
If you are tall, you may find this annoying after washing your pants in the dryer.
When your pants shrink in length and becomes short, it is difficult to stretch back out as Dickies pants do not naturally Stretch lengthwise when you wear them.
Bottom hem
The bottom hem of your pants will slightly shrink too, this is common if your pants are 100% cotton or just cotton blend.
When they are stirred during the wash and heat cycle, it leaves to your pant’s bottom hem to break their bonds so they become smaller.
How many times to wash your dickies pants before washing in the dryer
No set amount of times or days is required for you to wash your dickies pants or use them ok the dryer.
There is no specific time or date to wash your clothes as not every time of day will work for everyone.
It all depends on how you care for your pants and what type of stains are on them, that is what really matters.
If you have light-colored dickies pants and a light stain, then you could wait until 4 or 5 wear before washing in the washer or washing machine.
If your pants are darker colors with a dark stain, then it’s best to wash them after two wears.
Heavy-duty laundry detergent can help break down any tough stains so they don’t become permanent over time.
Dickies pants are often one of the most expensive items in your wardrobe. When it comes to washing them, you will want to make sure they last as long as possible.
You can help lengthen the life of your dickies by following these guidelines for washing them before putting them in the dryer;
- Before you wash, check for any stains. Spot clean with any cleaner if your choice – lemon and vinegar bare suitable for dickies pants with 100% cotton.
- Fill the sink with cold water, you can make use of the sink, a bathtub, or washbasin; fill the sink with cold water and pour a little amount of mild detergent until the water starts having foams.
- Soak your pants in the water and detergent. Ensure that the pants are deeply soaked by the water and the detergent. With your fingers, rub out any dirty area or stains. Gently scrub to not cause a bad effect on the fabric.
- Refill the sink with clean water to rinse out the pants. Flush out the soapy water when you are sure the pants are clean. Deep the pants in and out of the water until the detergent has clearly rinsed out.
It is recommended to wash your pants as soon as you get them home from the store with the above guidelines too.
Before you wash, check for any stains or dirt on the fabric. If there is any, you can spot clean them with a little amount of detergent and water before putting them in the dryer.
Related: Why Are Dickies Pants So Stiff?
