How to Care for Terry Cloth Shorts and Pants

Quick answer

Wash terry cloth shorts and pants inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then air dry or tumble dry on low to prevent pilling and shrinkage.

How to wash and dry terry cloth shorts and pants

1. Turn inside out and close fasteners: Turn the shorts or pants inside out to protect the looped surface. If there are drawstrings or ties, tie them loosely so they don't tangle. Skipping this step can cause pilling on the outside and snagged loops.
2. Use cold water and a gentle cycle: Set your machine to cold water (below 30°C / 86°F) and choose a gentle or delicate cycle. Hot water can shrink the cotton fibers and set wrinkles into the polyester. Cold water also prevents dye bleeding, keeping grey melange and other colors even.
3. Mild detergent only, no fabric softener: Use a small amount of liquid detergent designed for delicates. Fabric softener coats the cotton loops and reduces absorbency over time. A splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle can replace softener and remove residue.
4. Air dry flat or tumble dry on low: Lay the garment flat on a drying rack away from direct heat or sunlight. If using a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove while still slightly damp to avoid over-drying. High heat shrinks the cotton and can melt or distort the polyester fibers, ruining the fit.
5. Skip the iron; steam if needed: Terry cloth does not need ironing. If wrinkles appear after drying, hang the garment in a steamy bathroom or use a handheld steamer on low. Never press directly with a hot iron. An iron can flatten the loops and leave shiny marks on the polyester.

Products mentioned

• Reversed Seam Terry Relaxed Shorts - Grey Melange: Made from a sweatshirt-quality blend of organic cotton and polyester, designed for gym and studio training. The polyester content reduces shrinking and fading compared to 100% cotton terry, but the looped cotton surface still needs cool water and low heat to stay soft.

  

• Reversed Seam Terry Loose Pants - Grey Melange: Features a fitted waist with internal elastic, made from the same organic cotton-polyester sweatshirt quality. The internal elastic can lose tension if exposed to high heat, so air drying or low tumble dry helps the waistband keep its fit.