How much does Pima cotton shrink?

Pima cotton fabric can shrink between five and 10 percent when washed in hot water and dried in a clothes dryer. Pima cotton always shrinks unless it has been processed, as does any pure cotton used in fabric.

Pima cotton fabric does not shrink with washing and drying if it has been pre-shrunk by a patented process known as Sanforizing. Clothing manufacturers often use polyester or other fibers with cotton to avoid shrinkage, and cotton content percentage must be posted on the garment label. All 100 percent cotton fabric shrinks in the laundry unless washed in cold water and air dried.