Does acrylic shrink?

Acrylic shrinks when treated in a washer and dryer under moderate to high heat. Acrylic is synthetic, composed primarily of plastic and prone to deforming and shrinking during laundering.

Acrylic is a man-made fabric that shrinks when it is washed and then placed directly into a hot dryer. The shrinkage is minimal compared to other kinds of fabric, like cotton and cashmere, but the effect is still prominent enough to change the size of a garment. Washing in cold water and drying on low heat helps preserve the shape and durability of acrylic clothing. Hanging clothes to dry is the best way to avoid acrylic shrinkage and preserve the shape and color of clothes.