How to Shrink Clothes？
12 Feb 2024
Many of us have probably faced this situation: we see an adorable shirt at a discount, and it's exactly what we've been dreaming of for the past few months. However, when we get home, we find that the size of this garment is too big and doesn't quite fit. Situations when you need to reduce the size of a blouse or blouse arise quite often. For example, you have lost weight but did not think about the fact that you will have to update your closet. Or your favorite knit sweater stretched out, yes, so that it is simply indecent to wear it. Or your best friend has upset you by giving you a blouse that hangs on you like a hanger. Take your time with a beautiful blouse. You can try to reduce the size by shrinking your clothes.
As a rule, we can not stand it when we buy new clothes when trying on sits like inline, suitable for both length and width, but after the first washing jump up by two or three centimeters, so that the thing can no longer be worn. Especially often this happens with products made of cotton. But there are situations on the contrary when it is necessary to slightly reduce the clothes, to "manipulate" it so that it gives shrinkage.
How to reduce the size of a textile product made of cotton, denim, or polyester to get your favorite clothes that fit perfectly? Next, let's dive deeper and learn how to use different methods to shrink clothes.
As a rule, we can not stand it when we buy new clothes when trying on sits like inline, suitable for both length and width, but after the first washing jump up by two or three centimeters, so that the thing can no longer be worn. Especially often this happens with products made of cotton. But there are situations on the contrary when it is necessary to slightly reduce the clothes, to "manipulate" it so that it gives shrinkage.
How to reduce the size of a textile product made of cotton, denim, or polyester to get your favorite clothes that fit perfectly? Next, let's dive deeper and learn how to use different methods to shrink clothes.
What to Consider Before Shrinking Clothes？
Before starting the shrinking process, determine what material your item is made of, as not all of them can be subjected to this procedure. For example, cotton gives better shrinkage, and polyester, on the contrary, less, and leather and fur, in general, can collapse in the process.
If you are not going to shrink leather pants or fur coats, then we can start!
Why Would You Want to Shrink Clothes?
Knowing about the properties of some materials to shrink after washing at high temperatures, you can use this feature "for good". Fabric shrinkage can have several useful aspects:
Size correction. If a garment is a little big or not quite the right size, shrinkage can help in some cases. Shrinking can make the garment fit more snugly and sit on the body, which can be desirable, especially for clothing items that are meant to fit the figure well, such as jeans or T-shirts;
Increasing the density of the fabric. Shrinkage can cause the fabric to thicken, which can be beneficial for some types of clothing. For example, if you want the fabric to be tighter and less sheer, shrink clothes can help achieve this effect;
Creating a worn or "vintage" effect. In some cases, shrinkage may be desirable to create the effect of an old or worn-out garment. This is especially popular in "vintage" style fashion, where shrinkage can add a unique and vintage look to clothing items.
It is important to note that shrink clothes should be controlled and predictable to avoid undesirable results. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the care instructions on the label and use washing and drying modes that minimize the risk of unpredictable shrinkage.
Size correction. If a garment is a little big or not quite the right size, shrinkage can help in some cases. Shrinking can make the garment fit more snugly and sit on the body, which can be desirable, especially for clothing items that are meant to fit the figure well, such as jeans or T-shirts;
Increasing the density of the fabric. Shrinkage can cause the fabric to thicken, which can be beneficial for some types of clothing. For example, if you want the fabric to be tighter and less sheer, shrink clothes can help achieve this effect;
Creating a worn or "vintage" effect. In some cases, shrinkage may be desirable to create the effect of an old or worn-out garment. This is especially popular in "vintage" style fashion, where shrinkage can add a unique and vintage look to clothing items.
It is important to note that shrink clothes should be controlled and predictable to avoid undesirable results. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the care instructions on the label and use washing and drying modes that minimize the risk of unpredictable shrinkage.
What Types of Fabrics Shrink Easily?
Some types of fabrics have a greater tendency to shrink after washing. Here are some of them:
Cotton. Cotton fabrics, especially those that have not been pre-shrunk, can shrink after washing. Cotton has a natural fiber structure that can shrink when exposed to water and heat, so cotton fabric shrinks when washed;
Linen fabric. Linen fabric also shrinks after washing. It can shrink and change its shape when exposed to water and mechanical friction;
Wool. Some wool fabrics may shrink after washing because of their fiber structure. Clothes shrink and stretch freely when exposed to water and heat. To prevent wool items from shrinking, it is recommended to use special wool laundry detergents or dry cleaning;
Viscose. Viscose fabric also shrinks after washing. Viscose is an artificial fiber produced from natural cellulose. It tends to shrink and can lose its shape when in contact with water;
Blended fabrics. Fabrics made up of a combination of different fibers may also exhibit shrinkage after washing. Different fibers have different properties and may react differently to exposure to water and heat.
It is important to remember that each fabric is unique and the level of shrinkage can vary depending on the method of production, fiber quality, and processing of the material. You should pay attention to the care instructions on the label of each garment to reduce the risk of shrinkage during washing.
Cotton. Cotton fabrics, especially those that have not been pre-shrunk, can shrink after washing. Cotton has a natural fiber structure that can shrink when exposed to water and heat, so cotton fabric shrinks when washed;
Linen fabric. Linen fabric also shrinks after washing. It can shrink and change its shape when exposed to water and mechanical friction;
Wool. Some wool fabrics may shrink after washing because of their fiber structure. Clothes shrink and stretch freely when exposed to water and heat. To prevent wool items from shrinking, it is recommended to use special wool laundry detergents or dry cleaning;
Viscose. Viscose fabric also shrinks after washing. Viscose is an artificial fiber produced from natural cellulose. It tends to shrink and can lose its shape when in contact with water;
Blended fabrics. Fabrics made up of a combination of different fibers may also exhibit shrinkage after washing. Different fibers have different properties and may react differently to exposure to water and heat.
It is important to remember that each fabric is unique and the level of shrinkage can vary depending on the method of production, fiber quality, and processing of the material. You should pay attention to the care instructions on the label of each garment to reduce the risk of shrinkage during washing.
How to Shrink Wool Clothes？
Wool also shrinks easily and quickly, even faster than cotton, so when working with this material the main thing is not to overdo it.
When does wool "shrink"?
Such a material as wool due to its naturalness and natural features can easily change under the influence of various sources. First of all, a woolen thing sits down when washing at an increased temperature. Natural hairs curl, compact, and "pile up", which makes the product warmer, but significantly reduces its size.
Important: Items containing both real wool and synthetic fibers can behave very differently in terms of shrinkage. Some things with synthetic fibers do not shrink at all, some only stretch. Therefore, products with a mixed composition can not always be suitable for methods characteristic of natural woolen things.
To "sit" a knitted thing you need to pay attention to several parameters. If they are all observed, it will be possible to carry out the procedure without accidents, as a result of which you will have a sweater of the ideal size.
Temperature
First of all, pay attention to the label on your garment, as the temperature at which it should be washed is always written above it. Since we are pursuing a slightly different goal and want the item to change slightly, we should "tinker" with the temperature setting. Usually, the optimal temperature for washing wool is 30-40 °C, but we need to increase it by 20 °C to shrink the garment.
Mode
In order to shrink clothes made with wool, the best option is to wash the things on your hands. However, if you are lazy or simply do not have enough time - use a washing machine. To do this, set one of the following modes on it:
"wool". In its settings, it usually has a small number of revolutions. This is a good function because at high speeds, a wool sweater can turn from an adult to a child's size;
"hand wash", "baby mode". These programs are also quite delicate, so they are suitable for washing.
What can I do to make a piece fit only in width?
If your sweater or skirt made of wool completely suits you in length but stretched in width - there is a way out. To do this, you also need to wet or wash it, dry it in a dense towel, and spread it out on a flat surface. Perform some manipulations:
stack of woolen things pinch the thing to the towel with pins from the top and bottom so that it can not shrink in length;
as for the width, during the drying process, shape it to your liking.
How to wash so that only the sleeves sit down?
If in a knitted product, you are not satisfied with only the sleeves (for example, you unsuccessfully pulled them, putting on a sweater), then you can try to reduce only their length or width.
To do this: spray the sleeves with water from a special sprayer or just gently wet them without touching other areas;
lay the garment out horizontally again, spread the sleeves, and shape them to the desired length or width;
wait for it to dry.
Tip: You can also try simply steaming only the sleeves. The main thing is that the hot steam should not get on the main part of the jacket.
To avoid the most unpleasant procedure of shrink clothes, follow some rules during and after washing it:
If possible, wash it in warm water by hand or use the delicate mode of machine washing;
do not twist it when wringing, let the water drain in a natural position;
do not dry the item in a vertical position: always lay it out on a flat surface;
do not dry it on a hot radiator or in the open sun, as it will not only lose its shape but may fade;
iron it either through a cloth or by steaming without contact with the hairs;
do not dry and do not store knitted sweaters on shoulders - they will stretch out in length. It is better to keep them folded in the closet.
When does wool "shrink"?
Such a material as wool due to its naturalness and natural features can easily change under the influence of various sources. First of all, a woolen thing sits down when washing at an increased temperature. Natural hairs curl, compact, and "pile up", which makes the product warmer, but significantly reduces its size.
Important: Items containing both real wool and synthetic fibers can behave very differently in terms of shrinkage. Some things with synthetic fibers do not shrink at all, some only stretch. Therefore, products with a mixed composition can not always be suitable for methods characteristic of natural woolen things.
To "sit" a knitted thing you need to pay attention to several parameters. If they are all observed, it will be possible to carry out the procedure without accidents, as a result of which you will have a sweater of the ideal size.
Temperature
First of all, pay attention to the label on your garment, as the temperature at which it should be washed is always written above it. Since we are pursuing a slightly different goal and want the item to change slightly, we should "tinker" with the temperature setting. Usually, the optimal temperature for washing wool is 30-40 °C, but we need to increase it by 20 °C to shrink the garment.
Mode
In order to shrink clothes made with wool, the best option is to wash the things on your hands. However, if you are lazy or simply do not have enough time - use a washing machine. To do this, set one of the following modes on it:
"wool". In its settings, it usually has a small number of revolutions. This is a good function because at high speeds, a wool sweater can turn from an adult to a child's size;
"hand wash", "baby mode". These programs are also quite delicate, so they are suitable for washing.
What can I do to make a piece fit only in width?
If your sweater or skirt made of wool completely suits you in length but stretched in width - there is a way out. To do this, you also need to wet or wash it, dry it in a dense towel, and spread it out on a flat surface. Perform some manipulations:
stack of woolen things pinch the thing to the towel with pins from the top and bottom so that it can not shrink in length;
as for the width, during the drying process, shape it to your liking.
How to wash so that only the sleeves sit down?
If in a knitted product, you are not satisfied with only the sleeves (for example, you unsuccessfully pulled them, putting on a sweater), then you can try to reduce only their length or width.
To do this: spray the sleeves with water from a special sprayer or just gently wet them without touching other areas;
lay the garment out horizontally again, spread the sleeves, and shape them to the desired length or width;
wait for it to dry.
Tip: You can also try simply steaming only the sleeves. The main thing is that the hot steam should not get on the main part of the jacket.
To avoid the most unpleasant procedure of shrink clothes, follow some rules during and after washing it:
If possible, wash it in warm water by hand or use the delicate mode of machine washing;
do not twist it when wringing, let the water drain in a natural position;
do not dry the item in a vertical position: always lay it out on a flat surface;
do not dry it on a hot radiator or in the open sun, as it will not only lose its shape but may fade;
iron it either through a cloth or by steaming without contact with the hairs;
do not dry and do not store knitted sweaters on shoulders - they will stretch out in length. It is better to keep them folded in the closet.
How to Shrink Cotton Clothes？
Often people may find that cotton T-shirts, shorts, T-shirts, and other closet items shrink after washing. And this can certainly be annoying, because you've spent money on the item, and now it just doesn't fit. However, this is great news for people who have a goal of shrinking clothes on purpose.
Wash the cotton item in hot water.
Put it in the dryer, and set it to a high temperature.
Periodically check the size of the garment during the drying cycle. Once you are satisfied with the size, set the dryer to low heat or take the item out and let it air dry.
If you don't have a dryer, you can lay your clothes out after washing them on a horizontal surface and dry them with a hair dryer turned on high heat. The hotter the water and higher the temperature in the dryer, the more shrinkage for any clothing that has not been treated with special agents to prevent compression or shrinkage of the fibers during manufacture.
Do not expose clothing to direct sunlight as this will cause fading.
Cotton clothes shrink more easily than other materials because it is made from plant fibers that are not particularly elastic. When washed, the threads swell with water, causing the clothes to shrink. Most manufacturers take this risk into account and often make garments from pre-treated cotton.
Wash the cotton item in hot water.
Put it in the dryer, and set it to a high temperature.
Periodically check the size of the garment during the drying cycle. Once you are satisfied with the size, set the dryer to low heat or take the item out and let it air dry.
If you don't have a dryer, you can lay your clothes out after washing them on a horizontal surface and dry them with a hair dryer turned on high heat. The hotter the water and higher the temperature in the dryer, the more shrinkage for any clothing that has not been treated with special agents to prevent compression or shrinkage of the fibers during manufacture.
Do not expose clothing to direct sunlight as this will cause fading.
Cotton clothes shrink more easily than other materials because it is made from plant fibers that are not particularly elastic. When washed, the threads swell with water, causing the clothes to shrink. Most manufacturers take this risk into account and often make garments from pre-treated cotton.
How to Shrink Denim？
Almost everyone has wondered at least once in their lives: how to make jeans fit properly. Usually, jeans can stretch with frequent wear and lose their shape over time. However, there are several ways to shrink the size of your jeans by 1-2 units.
Using hot water
To get your jeans shrink and perfectly sized, the first thing you should do is use hot water to wash them.
Set your washing machine to the intensive washing mode: temperature 70-95°C, maximum number of revolutions (800 or higher). Delicate washing and hand washing are not suitable for jeans, so select the "Cotton" washing program. Do not worry about possible damage to your jeans - denim is a very dense and durable material. However, it is not recommended to use this method for jeans with decorative elements: glitter, rhinestones, or lace. After washing the jeans should be immediately put in the dryer with the maximum drying temperature (this will help to reduce the size of the fabric), or leave them to dry on a horizontal surface. Jeans that have undergone shrinkage should not be air-dried.
As a rule, one such wash is enough to shrink clothes in size, but if you want to increase the effect, try repeating the process.
Boiling
This method is considered quite extreme as it is guaranteed to change the color of the fabric and the appearance of stains. But if you like this style, feel free to use this method.
To prevent the fabric from discoloring too much, be sure to turn your jeans inside out before boiling and make sure the powder is completely dissolved in the water.
To shrink clothes, they need to be dried properly after boiling. It's best to use a dryer or put the jeans near a heat source (oven, radiator, or just in the sun). Use an old towel as a mat - it will absorb excess moisture. However, if the jeans can't be boiled, or the material is treated decoratively, how can you reduce their size? Let's look at gentler methods.
Fabric Rinse
Dissolve the rinse aid in warm water (in a ratio of 1:3), pour the resulting solution into the atomizer, and shake thoroughly. Moisturize those parts of the jeans that need to shrink well, and then dry the product in the dryer at maximum temperature or leave the jeans to dry near a heat source. The shrinkage of the fabric will only occur in the areas you have treated. This process can be repeated if necessary.
Not all jeans can be shrunk by simply washing them or using a special drying regime. In some cases, you will have to take drastic measures - take them to a workshop and have them re-shaped to fit.
Using hot water
To get your jeans shrink and perfectly sized, the first thing you should do is use hot water to wash them.
Set your washing machine to the intensive washing mode: temperature 70-95°C, maximum number of revolutions (800 or higher). Delicate washing and hand washing are not suitable for jeans, so select the "Cotton" washing program. Do not worry about possible damage to your jeans - denim is a very dense and durable material. However, it is not recommended to use this method for jeans with decorative elements: glitter, rhinestones, or lace. After washing the jeans should be immediately put in the dryer with the maximum drying temperature (this will help to reduce the size of the fabric), or leave them to dry on a horizontal surface. Jeans that have undergone shrinkage should not be air-dried.
As a rule, one such wash is enough to shrink clothes in size, but if you want to increase the effect, try repeating the process.
Boiling
This method is considered quite extreme as it is guaranteed to change the color of the fabric and the appearance of stains. But if you like this style, feel free to use this method.
To prevent the fabric from discoloring too much, be sure to turn your jeans inside out before boiling and make sure the powder is completely dissolved in the water.
To shrink clothes, they need to be dried properly after boiling. It's best to use a dryer or put the jeans near a heat source (oven, radiator, or just in the sun). Use an old towel as a mat - it will absorb excess moisture. However, if the jeans can't be boiled, or the material is treated decoratively, how can you reduce their size? Let's look at gentler methods.
Fabric Rinse
Dissolve the rinse aid in warm water (in a ratio of 1:3), pour the resulting solution into the atomizer, and shake thoroughly. Moisturize those parts of the jeans that need to shrink well, and then dry the product in the dryer at maximum temperature or leave the jeans to dry near a heat source. The shrinkage of the fabric will only occur in the areas you have treated. This process can be repeated if necessary.
Not all jeans can be shrunk by simply washing them or using a special drying regime. In some cases, you will have to take drastic measures - take them to a workshop and have them re-shaped to fit.
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