Most of us have mastered the art of accidentally shrinking clothes in the washing machine. But if someone were to ask, chances are, you couldnt tell them how to shrink a shirt—the right way, at least.
Perhaps youve stumbled upon the thrift store gem of your dreams, but alas, its two sizes too big. Or, you received a well-intentioned gift that doesnt fit quite right. Or, like me, youve outgrown your oversized tee phase, leaving you with a wardrobe dilemma of epic proportions.
Don’t bid adieu to these treasures just yet; were shrinking them! (Were on a mission to save the planet, one garment at a time, after all.) Many people take precautions to protect our clothes from accidental shrinkage, so its understandable if this feels counterintuitive or if youre unsure where to begin.
Below, weve broken down the steps for how to shrink a shirt—along with other garments—to your perfect size, covering everything you need to know, from the different methods to how to unshrink a shirt in case you ever need to reverse the process.
Place your Spandex in the washing machine and set it to its hottest setting. Spandex does not shrink under normal wash conditions, so you’ll need to use the hottest setting. This is often the setting for “heavy duty.” X Research source Turn the machine to its hottest setting and let it run a full cycle.
Can I shrink a shirt with vinegar?
White vinegar wont accelerate the shrinking process, but adding a half to one cup can serve as a natural fabric softener, and prevent colors from bleeding out—a likely repercussion when washing clothes in hot water. (Something to consider.)
What’s the first step?
Always, always, always start by reading the garments label to identify its fabric composition. Different fabrics shrink at varying rates, and not all fabrics can endure every method.
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FAQ
Can you shrink nylon spandex blend?
How do you shrink activewear?
Does Lycra shrink?
Usually it will shrink if if it’s a lycra blend but there is a chance with lycra that it will not shrink at all and you’ll have to resort to taking a needle and thread to it. Also, the seamstress may have already preshrunk the fabric before she even started working with it. sorry for the bad news
How can I get a smaller waist?
It might be a slow process and one must patiently follow this advice to reduce fat from one’s waist by making some lifestyle changes which may include but are not limited to: 1. Cutting down on oily food. 2. Taking food containing high fiber. 3. Cardio can work as a charm in reducing excess fat from the waist. 4. Core exercises may help reduce belly fat too.
How do you Make Your Clothes smaller?
In general, Chalfin recommends a warm wash with wool sweaters. “They should be washed by hand then they can be stretched, or blocked on a towel and may achieve the result you want,” she said. Now that you know how to intentionally make your clothing smaller, you might be wondering: How do you avoid accidentally shrinking your wardrobe?
Will Lycra shrink in the dryer?
Thanks! Washing your garment in cold water on a delicate cycle and then in the dryer will shrink it, if it’s possible to even be shrunk even more. Usually it will shrink if if it’s a lycra blend but there is a chance with lycra that it will not shrink at all and you’ll have to resort to taking a needle and thread to it.