Does Nylon and Spandex Shrink?
Nylon and spandex are used for all of those stretchy garments women love like yoga pants, shape-wear, and stretchy jeans, just to name a few.
Both are synthetic fabrics that have a very high level of elasticity, which is why they’re perfect for things like active wear. They are very commonly found in most types of women’s clothing and undergarments.
Answering the question, “Does Nylon and Spandex Shrink?”
A 100% nylon fabric shrinks a little in high heat, but you probably won’t see much shrinkage from this fabric.
Nylon can shrink in very hot heat in the dryer, for instance, but the extent of shrinkage will be minimal. Nylon blends may shrink more, depending on the other fabrics in the blend.
Spandex, on the other hand, can shrink more than nylon in high-heat settings. A hot dryer, for example, will cause spandex fibers to shrink, weaken, and break.
If spandex is a small percentage of a fabric blend, like stretch denim, the whole fabric is less likely to shrink.
The more spandex makes up a blend, the greater chance it will have of shrinking if it’s exposed to high drying temperatures. Synthetic material or fabric is essentially plastic.
The amount of shrinkage will vary depending on the type of fabric and the blend, as mentioned above, but when plastic is exposed to too much heat, it will shrink to some extent as it cools.
You’ll find nylon and spandex in a variety of combinations with other synthetic blends. A rayon spandex blend is popular, as well as a blend of polyester with both nylon and spandex.
What is Nylon Fabric?
Nylon fabric is a man-made fiber made from petroleum. It belongs to the family of synthetic polymers that are commonly used in the fashion industry to make all different types of apparel. Unlike natural fibers, nylon has no basis in organic materials.
Nylon fibers are very strong and have excellent elasticity. A nylon garment can be stretched to its limits and then return to its original shape without losing any of its form or stretch. That’s what makes nylon a great fabric for athletic wear.
The material was invented in 1935 to make bristled toothbrushes. In 1938 it began being used to make women’s stockings or “nylons.” Now it’s one of the world’s most popular fabrics, used in everything from socks and underwear to jeans and dresses.
What is Spandex Fabric?
Spandex also belongs to the synthetic fibers group and contains no natural materials.
It contains at least 85% polyurethane and is the material used to make many types of compression garments because it has even more elasticity than nylon. Although many times you’ll find that a combination of the two is used for best results.
Spandex was invented in 1959. It was originally intended to make women’s undergarments more comfortable since it’s a lightweight and smooth fabric that hugs the body. Its uses just expanded from there and now it’s another one of the most popular fabrics around the world.
Nylon Spandex Blends
Nylon spandex blends are very common. These two synthetic fibers work so well together because they complement each other in their elasticity but support each other in the areas they lack.
Nylon has more rigid flexibility, while spandex is soft and able to roll or curl on itself and can easily be straightened out without breaking fibers. This makes this blend very durable and versatile for use in many different types of clothing.
How to Care For Nylon
Nylon is pretty easy to take care of if you just avoid high temperatures. That means no hot water washing machine cycles and no high heat drying temperatures. Some people suggest washing your nylon in cold water, separately from other clothing.
I think as long as you are using cold water, they shouldn’t need to be separated. A blend of nylon and other fabrics should be washed the same way, even if the blended fabric is not sensitive to heat. It’s probably smart to avoid using a dryer and air-dry nylon instead for the best result.
Delicate nylon items like stockings and hosiery should be hand washed in cool to lukewarm water and laid across a flat surface.
Hanging nylon hosiery when it’s wet could cause it to stretch as it dries. Never use chlorine bleach on nylon or any blend of nylon and other polyamide fabric.
How to Care For Spandex
While certain blends can make spandex stronger and more resistant to stretching or shrinking, clothing that is mostly or 100% spandex should be hand-washed and air-dried.
Spandex is actually just as prone to stretching and misshaping as it is to shrinking. Items like shape-wear and/or bathing suits could lose their shape if not properly cared for.
Spandex should also not be cleaned with chlorine bleach or exposed to excessive heat. Lukewarm water is suggested for washing and rinsing, then hang spandex items to dry.
How to Care For Nylon Spandex Blends
You’ll find many nylon and spandex blends or one or the other blended with natural fabric or other synthetic fabrics. They should all be cared for the same unless the percentage of nylon or spandex is so low that the heat won’t be able to shrink or deform the blend.
When in doubt, just follow the washing instructions on your clothing tags.
How to Shrink Nylon and Spandex
Maybe you’re dealing with an issue of too-big nylon clothes rather than worrying about them turning out too small. If you want to shrink your nylon, spandex, or blended synthetic fabric, you’ll basically have to do the opposite of the recommendations above.
Some people suggest actually putting your nylon or spandex into boiling water. You could try putting them in hot water and also drying them in the dryer instead of air drying them. You may be able to see 5% to 10% shrinkage from heat.
Examples of Nylon and Spandex Clothing
These nylon and spandex blends are great examples of clothing options in athletic wear, business, and shapewear in these synthetic fabrics.
Athletic Wear
IBL Women’s Essential 7/8 Leggings Buttery Soft High Waist Stretch Yoga Pants
These yoga pants are nylon 75% nylon and 25% spandex making them both soft and stretchy for compression and comfort.
Dragon Fit Women Long Sleeve Yoga Top
This top is a compression fit which is what nylon (also known as polyamide) and spandex are best at.
CADMUS High Waist Workout Pants with Pockets Tummy Control Yoga Running Leggings Capri for Women
Polyester fabrics are often blended with spandex because polyester doesn’t expand at all. The spandex stretch material blended with polyester gives the garment a light stretch.
Gradual Women’s Joggers High Waisted Yoga Leggings
These loose joggers are a nylon-spandex blend that is loose-fitting but stretchy and flexible for so much comfort!
MathCat Seamless Workout Shirts for Women Long Sleeve Yoga Top
This snug-fitting but effortlessly flexible blend makes this seamless workout shirt comfortable and easy to move in.
Thirty48 Performance Compression Low Cut Running Socks
Nylon spandex blends are very often used in performance socks like these because they fit nicely and stay close to the foot for comfort and great performance.
Business and Dress Garments
Plus Size Women’s Straight-Leg Dress Pants – Slacks for Business Casual
This blend makes these slacks a comfortable choice for a work setting. They will stretch with you while you’re sitting at your desk and then snap back into shape when you stand and move around.
Alex Evenings Women’s Short Sheath Slimming Stretch Halter Neck Dress
This fabric blend provides a little stretch where needed to make this dress flattering on any body type.
Rafaella Women’s Supreme Stretch Comfort Fit Pull-on Dress Pant
These polyester, spandex, nylon pants will be like pulling on a pair of yoga pants, but they’re still work-appropriate. No buttons or zippers, just a nice stretchy blend that stays in place all day long.
Alex Evenings Women’s Slimming Short Sheath 3/4 Sleeve Dress with Surplus Neckline
This beautiful dress is great for a party or wedding and its flexible fabric will be comfortable to sit, stand, and dance in.
Urban CoCo Women’s Elastic Waist Stretch Bodycon Midi Pencil Skirt
This stretchy blend makes this skirt a comfortable choice for office wear.
Dress the Population Women’s Nicole Sweetheart Neck Bodycon Midi Dress
A form-fitting bodycon is the perfect party dress. This bodycon style is made of mostly nylon with a small amount of spandex material for just the right fit.
Shape Wear
SPANX Higher Power Panties
Just about half nylon and half spandex, these high wasted compression underwear do a nice job of cinching up your midsection.
Maidenform Women’s Cover Your Bases Smoothtec Camisole
This camisole is excellent for smoothing out your tummy and sides for a tight-fitting shirt.
Shapermint High Waisted Body Shaper Shorts
These shapewear shorts are great for compression under a long, tight skirt. They’re perfect for smoothing out the butt and thighs.
Maidenform Women’s Comfort Devotion Shapewear Cami
A nylon-spandex blend camisole offers a little pushup action for the chest as well.
SHAPERX Bodysuit for Women
This seamless bodysuit gives you some tummy control with the comfort of a bodysuit that doesn’t shift or roll up.
FeelinGirl Seamless Long Sleeve Thong Bodysuit
A stretchy long-sleeve bodysuit can be worn alone or layered with another shirt. The thong cut hides panty lines so it can be worn easily with a shirt as well.
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