Do Patagonia Clothes Shrink? How to Wash Them So They Don’t
Quick answer
Most Patagonia garments do not shrink if you wash them cold and dry them flat, because the main fibres are synthetic (polyester, nylon, fleece) that keep their shape, and merino wool is machine-washable on wool cycle. Shrinkage happens when heat, agitation and tumble drying are combined on wool or cotton blends, or when a garment is dried on a radiator. Wash at 30 °C on a delicate or wool cycle, never tumble dry heat, and dry flat.
Overview
| Material | Machine wash | Dry | Shrink risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester / nylon shell | 30 °C, gentle, mild detergent | Line dry or low tumble | Very low |
| Toison | 30 °C, gentle, no softener | Line dry flat | Very low |
| Merino wool | Wool cycle 30 °C, wool detergent | Flat, reshape while damp | Low |
| Down | Down wash, 3 dryer balls | Flat, no heat | Low |
| Cotton blend | 30 °C, gentle | Flat or low tumble | Medium if dried hot |
| Elastic or spandex trim | Hand wash or delicates | Flat | Medium |
Practical rules
- Wash at 30 °C maximum, and choose the delicate or wool programme whenever the label allows it.
- Never use a tumble dryer on high heat for wool, down or anything with elastane: heat plus tumbling is what actually shrinks a garment.
- Do not dry on radiators, over radiators, or in direct sun. Heat drying is the single most common cause of shrinkage.
- Lay knitwear flat and reshape it while damp; hanging a heavy wet sweater stretches the shoulders and sleeves.
- Skip fabric softener: it leaves residues that make the fabric hold water and feel stiff, and it is not recommended on fleece or technical synthetics.
Frequently asked questions
Do Patagonia clothes shrink in the wash?
Rarely. Technical synthetics and fleece are shape-stable, and merino wool is machine-washable on a wool cycle. Shrinkage is usually the result of hot water, high heat drying, or drying wool flat-silk garments on a radiator.
Can I tumble dry a Patagonia fleece?
You can, on a low heat setting only, but line drying flat is better. High heat makes the synthetic pile mat and tighten, which permanently reduces softness and warmth.
What if a Patagonia garment already shrank?
For a felted merino garment, soak it in lukewarm water with a little wool wash, press the water out without wringing, then lay it flat and gently reshape it while damp. A shrunken jacket from heat drying cannot be fully recovered.
Sources
This guide draws on guidance and standards from the following authoritative organisations:
This article was last reviewed on October 23, 2026.