Complete Guide to Effectively Shrinking Your Clothes

Understanding the process of clothing shrinkage

Shrinking a garment consists of making it go to a smaller size, so that it better fits the shape of the body. This operation is possible thanks to the properties of textile fibers, which tend to shrink under the effect of heat and humidity.

When washing or drying, the mesh that makes up the fabric will tighten. The fibers will bunch up and the garment will shrink slightly. This phenomenon is more or less pronounced depending on the type of textile.

Natural fabrics based on cotton, wool, silk or linen are quite elastic and lend themselves well to shrinkage. Synthetic materials such as polyester also shrink, but to a lesser extent.

Please note: clothing containing elastane shrinks little. Their elasticity allows them to keep their original size.

In this article we will see how to take advantage of the retraction capacity of textiles to precisely adjust the size of your clothes that are too large.

The basic principles of shrinking a garment

To successfully shrink a garment, you must respect a few basic principles:

• Use heat, with a wash cycle at high temperature, a tumble dryer or boiling water.
• Prefer a program with spinning at slow speed, so as not to damage the fibers.
• Wash the garment inside out to limit wear.
• Choose the right dosage of detergent so as not to soften the fibers.
• Avoidstretching the garment while it is drying. Leaving it to dry flat or hanging allows the fabric to shrink.
• Proceed in steps, repeating the operation for gradual shrinkage, without damaging the textile.
• Follow the care recommendations according to the label of the garment.

By applying these tips, you will maximize the chances of obtaining the expected result. Now let's see how to adapt the method depending on the type of clothing.

Also read: How to shrink a sweat ?

Tips for shrinking your clothes according to their type

How to shrink pants that are too big ?

To shrink jeans or pants that are too wide at the waist or the legs, using the dryer is very effective.

Using the dryer to shrink jeans

• Wash the pants inside out at the temperature indicated on the label.
• Hang it gently to dry.
• Once wrung out but still damp, put it in the dryer for 15 minutes on high heat.
• Repeat the operation until you obtain the desired adjustment, without exceeding 30 to 40 minutes in total.
• Hang the pants again to let them cool and dry completely, without stretching them.

These short drying cycles coupled with high heat allow the jeans to shrink gradually and evenly.

How to shrink a jacket ?

To adjust a suit jacket or denim jacket that has become too loose at the shoulders or back:

• Fill the washing machine with 2 or 3 thick towels.
• Add the jacket and run a cycle at 60°C.
• The towels massage the jacket during washing and activate the shrinkage of the fabric.
• Repeat the operation if necessary.
• Hang the jacket gently to dry, without stretching it.

How to shrink a sweater or sweatshirt ?

The sweater or sweatshirt is a wardrobe basic that tends to get larger with repeated washing. Fortunately, it's easy to return it to its original size.

How to shrink a wool sweater that is too large ?

To shrink a wool sweater, proceed as follows:

• Fill a basin with boiling water .
• Immerse the wool sweater and let it soak for 30 minutes.
• Take out the sweater gently and stretch it slightly so that it returns to its original shape.
• Let dry flat on a towel, without stretching it.

Soaking in hot water will activate the retraction of the knit stitches and evenly shrink your sweater.

Also read: How to shrink a sweater that is too large ?

How to shrink a coat ?

Winter coats and jackets tend to become too baggy after a few years. To readjust them to your silhouette:

• Wash your coat by hand or in the machine with a wool program at 30°C.
• Add 2 or 3 tennis balls into the drum to massage the fabric.
• Dry it flat, without stretching or hanging it.

Tennis balls will activate wool felting and fabric shrinkage during washing.

How to shrink a t-shirt ?

Cotton t-shirts tend to expand and lose their appearance over time. For shrink by one size:

• Fill a basin with hot water and half a glass of white vinegar.
• Immerse the t-shirt and leave to act for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with clean water.
• Lay the t-shirt out on a towel and stretch it slightly so that it returns to its original shape when it dries.

The vinegar will activate the retraction of the cotton fibers. This traditional remedy makes it easy to shrink a t-shirt.

How to shrink a scarf or scarf ?

Scarves, necklaces and loose knit scarves often tend to stretch over time. To restore them to their original size, pour half a glass of vinegar into a basin of lukewarm water. Immerse the scarf or scarf and leave to soak for 20 minutes. Carefully take out the fabric and lay it flat on a clean towel without stretching it. Let air dry. The vinegar will activate the retraction of the mesh. Repeat as necessary to gradually shrink your scarf. This simple manual method provides good results.

Tips for shrinking your clothes depending on their material

Shrinkage of cotton clothing

Cotton is very elastic and shrinks well with the heat of the dryer. A short cycle at high temperature is sufficient.

You can also soak your t-shirt, jeans or other cotton clothing in hot water with half a glass of vinegar for 15 minutes. The vinegar will activate the retraction of the fibers.

Take out the garment carefully and lay it flat on a towel. Stretch it slightly so it dries without becoming distorted. This simple technique will allow your oversized cotton garment to shrink one size.

Shrinkage of wool clothing

Wool is a natural fiber that lends itself very well to shrinkage. Soak your wool sweater in boiling water for 30 minutes to shrink it. You can also wash your wool scarf or sweater at 30-40°C and dry them flat to fit them.

Shrinkage of polyester clothing

Although synthetic, polyester can also shrink slightly. Wash your polyester jacket or shirt at 40°C maximum, and dry them on a hanger to activate the shrinkage of the synthetic fabric.

Shrinkage of viscose clothing

Viscose shrinks well on contact with hot water. To readjust a viscose dress or blouse, run a wash cycle at 40°C and hang the garment while still damp to dry. Gently stretch the fabric so that it dries without becoming distorted.

Shrinkage of linen clothing

Linen tolerates high temperatures well. Wash your linen pants or tunic at 60°C to activate fiber shrinkage. Gently hang the damp laundry, avoiding stretching it.

Shrinkage of silk clothing

Silk is very delicate. To shrink a silk shirt or scarf, soak the fabric in lukewarm water with half a glass of vinegar for 15 minutes. Lay flat on a towel to dry.

Shrinkage of microfiber clothing

Microfiber is a synthetic material derived from polyester. To shrink a microfiber garment, such as a t-shirt, dress or thick leggings, machine wash at 40°C maximum. Avoid excessively high temperatures which could damage synthetic fibers.

Gently hang the garment while still damp after spinning to allow the fabric to shrink naturally when drying.Do not stretch the garment which must dry gradually to reduce its size. This simple shrinking technique is suitable for most synthetic materials.

Also read: How to preserve the softness of your sweatshirt ?

Shrink a garment without using a washing machine or dryer

Certain techniques allow you to shrink a garment by hand, without a machine:

• For cotton, soak the t-shirt or jeans in hot water with vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes.
• For wool, prepare a bath with simmering water and immerse the sweater for 30 minutes.
• Then lay flat on a clean towel and stretch the garment slightly.
• You can also expose the damp garment to steam from a pot of boiling water for a few minutes.

These manual techniques are very effective in naturally shrinking your loose clothing.

Also read: Throw in the dryer, good or bad idea ?

Prevent stretching of clothes to maintain their original size

To prevent your clothes from stretching and becoming too baggy over time:

• Choose the program adapted to their composition when washing.
• Avoid washing them at too high a temperature.
• Use a detergent for delicate laundry, without fabric softener.
• Centrifuge at slow speed to avoid damaging the fibers.
• Gently hang damp clothes to dry, without stretching them.
• Iron if necessary at low temperature, with a damp cloth.
• Fold and store your clothes carefully after use.

By taking care of the textile, you will preserve the elasticity of the fibers and the original size of your clothes.

Tips for caring for your clothes and preventing them from becoming too big

To extend the life of your wardrobe, take the right steps:

• Follow the instructions on the care label for washing and drying.
• Turn inside out fragile clothing before washing.
• Avoid overloading the washing machine.
• Adjust the detergent and softener dosages.
• Choose short and low temperature cycles.
• Centrifuge at slow speed to protect the fibers.
• Carefully hang damp clothes to dry.
• Iron if necessary at moderate temperature.
• Fold or roll your clothes carefully before storing them.

With these proper care habits, your clothes will keep their original shape much longer.

Also read: How to avoid shrinkage when washing at 40 degrees ?

Sewing techniques for adjusting the size of a garment

If washing techniques are not enough, it is possible to shrink a garment that is too large by sewing:

• On a dress, skirt or pants, you can tighten the side seams by partially unstitching them and resewing them with a narrower margin.
• On a jacket or shirt, pinch the fabric in the back and sew to reduce the width.
• Tuck in the armholes of a sweater by sewing them with an invisible seam.
• Take the hems of pants, a dress or a skirt to shorten them.
• Add darts to loose clothing to cinch it at the waist.

With a few stitches, a garment that is too loose can be restored to a fitted silhouette.

Conclusion

Shrinking a garment that is too large is quite doable thanks to different techniques simple explained in this guide.

Whether your linen is new or second hand, it is possible to bring it back to life by reworking its size. By adapting the method and the temperature according to the fabric, you will avoid unpleasant surprises and will get the best result.

This process gradual requires a little patience but allows your clothes to return to their original fit. They will thus have a long life in your dressing room!

FAQ

How to shrink an item of clothing by one size ?

To shrink a garment that is too big by one size, wash it inside out at 40-60°C and hang it to dry gently, without stretching it. Repeat the operation if necessary for gradual shrinkage that is respectful of the textile.

What temperature to shrink a garment ?

The ideal temperature is between 40°C and 60°C depending on the composition of the garment. natural fibers such as cotton or wool shrink well at 60°C. For polyester or viscose, stay at 40°C maximum.

How to shrink a garment in the wash ?

Machine wash the garment inside out at 40-60°C. Choose a short program and a suitable detergent. Hang it gently, damp, to let it dry and retract naturally.

How to shrink a garment that is too big ?

Wash at high temperature, tumble dry with short cycles, or soak in hot water with vinegar depending on the fabric material. Proceed gradually to shrink the garment little by little without damaging it.

How to reduce the size of a t-shirt that is too big ?

To reduce a cotton t-shirt that is too large, soak it in hot water with half a glass of vinegar for 15 minutes. Lay flat on a towel to dry without stretching.

Sources

[1] "A Comprehensive Guide On How To Shrink Clothes Safely", Handy

Updated 6 March 2024