Does Modal Shrink? How to Wash TENCEL™ Modal Pajamas So They Keep Their Fit

TENCEL™ Modal is made to hold its shape: modal is a high-wet-modulus fiber that is dimensionally stable, so it does not shrink or get pulled out of shape when wet the way many rayons do. The way to keep your modal pajamas fitting like the day you bought them is to follow the care label, which for most Eberjey modal styles means turning them inside out, washing cold on a gentle cycle and tumble drying low.

Heat is the variable to watch. Our modal fabrics include a little elastane, and that stretch fiber is sensitive to high heat. Below is a step-by-step routine, plus the styles whose labels ask for something different.

Why modal holds its shape

Modal is a regenerated cellulose fiber made from wood pulp through a modified viscose process. It is defined by its high breaking force and high wet modulus, meaning the fiber stays strong and stable when wet.

• Stable when wet: modal fibers are dimensionally stable when wet, unlike many rayons.
• Strong: modal is a high-tenacity fiber, so it keeps its strength through washing.
• Not a guarantee: how a finished garment behaves also depends on the knit, construction and how it is washed, which is why the care label matters.

New to the fiber? Start with what TENCEL™ Modal is.

Why heat matters

Every modal style in this article is 95% TENCEL™ Modal and 5% elastane, also called spandex. Spandex is vulnerable to heat damage, so keeping dryer and iron temperatures low helps the stretch last.

• Choose cold water, as every label in this article directs.
• Use the low setting if the label allows the dryer.
• Skip chlorine bleach: it should not be used on fabrics containing spandex, and our labels allow only non-chlorine bleach when needed (or no bleach, on some styles).

How to wash TENCEL™ Modal pajamas, step by step

This routine follows the care label on our Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($158), Frida TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($158), Henry TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($168), William TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($168) and Kids TENCEL™ Modal Unisex Long PJ Set ($72). The Gisele, Frida, Henry and William label reads: "Turn inside out before washing. Machine wash cold with like colors on a gentle cycle. Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low. Warm iron if necessary." The Kids label says the same in slightly shorter words.

1. Turn inside out. The label asks for this before every wash.
2. Sort by color. Wash with like colors, especially for darks and prints.
3. Wash cold on gentle. Cold water and a gentle cycle are what the label asks for.
4. Bleach only if needed, and never chlorine. Use a non-chlorine bleach only when the label allows it.
5. Tumble dry low. Low heat is kinder to the elastane.
6. Iron only if necessary. A warm iron is the maximum these labels allow.

Gisele, Henry and William come in sizes XXS–XXL, Frida in XXS–XL and the Kids set in sizes 2–10. Find more men's styles in men's pajamas.

Modal styles with different care labels

Not every modal piece is washed the same way. Lace trims and special finishes change the instructions, so check the label before the first wash.

Malou, the Mariana chemise and the Kari set come in sizes XS–XL. In short: Malou and Mariana skip the machine, and Kari skips the dryer.

Keeping modal looking new

• Wash before stains set and keep stained pieces out of the dryer until the mark is gone, since heat can set stains and make them harder to remove.
• Rotate two or three sets so each one is washed less often.
• Wash darks and prints with like colors, as the Gisele, Frida, Henry, William, Kids and Kari labels direct.

For more, see how to care for luxury sleepwear and what causes pajamas to pill, or shop Gisele pajamas.

Frequently asked questions

Does modal shrink in the wash?

Modal is a high-wet-modulus fiber that does not shrink or get pulled out of shape when wet the way many rayons do. To keep the fit, follow the care label: for most Eberjey modal styles, turn inside out, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle and tumble dry low.

Can I put TENCEL™ Modal pajamas in the dryer?

Most Eberjey modal pajamas, including Gisele, Frida, Henry, William and Kids, say tumble dry low. Malou says lay flat to dry, the Mariana chemise says line dry, and the Kari set says lay flat to dry.

Why should I avoid high heat with modal pajamas?

The Eberjey modal fabrics in this article include 5% elastane, and spandex is vulnerable to heat damage. Low dryer heat and a warm iron at most help the stretch last.

Can I use bleach on modal pajamas?

Never chlorine bleach. Gisele, Frida, Henry, William and Kids labels allow only non-chlorine bleach when needed, and the Kari label says do not bleach.

Should I wash modal pajamas inside out?

Yes. Eberjey labels for Gisele, Frida, Henry, William, Kids and Kari say to turn the garment inside out before washing.

How do I wash modal pajamas with lace?

Check the label. The Mariana chemise says hand wash cold and line dry; the Kari set says machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, lay flat to dry and do not bleach.

Sources

• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston CAMEO, “Modal fiber”
• Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names, Annex I (legislation.gov.uk)
• Lenzing, “TENCEL™ Modal fiber claim proof snapshot”
• Encyclopedia.com, “Spandex”
• Fiber Economics Bureau Fibersource, “Spandex fiber”
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Quick Stain Removal Guide”
• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, “Stain Removal for Washable Fabrics” (H.E. 2-840)