Housekeeping Laundry & Linens How to Shrink Clothes for a Better Fit, According to Laundry Experts New shirt too big but you can't return it? Try shrinking your clothes with these expert tips. By Gemma Johnstone Gemma Johnstone Gemma Johnstone is a writer and editor who is passionate about sustainable living. She enjoys covering home, garden, and lifestyle topics. Her writing regularly appears in publications including Reader's Digest, Family Handyman, The Spruce, and the American Kennel Club. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on January 3, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Blaine Moats Project Overview Working Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $5 Shrinking your new wool sweater after washing it is a common laundry mistake that’s pretty frustrating. But there might be occasions when you want to downsize something from your wardrobe. Maybe you’ve gone down a couple of clothes sizes, or you accidentally bought the wrong fit and can’t return it. Although it’s not something experts recommend doing deliberately, understanding the science of shrinkage and the factors that influence it means any attempts are more likely to succeed. Follow these expert tips for how to shrink clothes to try to achieve the perfect fit. The 6 Best Dryers of 2024, According to Testing What to Know Before You Begin Not every fabric is a good candidate for shrinking, and some shrink more rapidly than others. Sammy Wang, senior scientist at Downy, says shrinkage is more common in garments with natural or regenerated fibers, such as cotton, linen, wool and rayon, because they are more hydrophilic or ‘water-loving’ and absorb moisture well. “Garments with synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, are less likely to shrink,” she says. Some fabrics, like wool, can shrink very rapidly. You'll need to be very careful not to shrink the garment too much. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Washing machine Dryer Materials Laundry detergent Instructions How to Shrink Clothes Check the Care Label Always check the care label before putting your oversized clothes in for a wash and dry session. When it says the garment is pre-shrunk, you won't be able to go smaller. If the instructions say “dry clean only”, it’s something you should never put in the washing machine. “Wool that is dry clean only should not be washed because it will shrink excessively,” Wang says. Wash Your Garment While moisture is a key ingredient in the tricky shrinkage formula, you don’t have to ramp up the temperatures. “Hot water is not always necessary, as water saturation and agitation are what create shrinkage conditions during the wash cycle,” Wang says. She recommends washing using the temperature and method outlined on the care label to prevent damage to your clothes before machine drying on a higher heat cycle. So, for denim jeans and wool, for example, that means a cooler wash cycle, or you may even need to hand-wash these clothes. Put the Garment in the Dryer Occasionally the washing process alone creates sufficient shrinkage, especially for fabrics like wool. If you’re in doubt, wash and air dry your garment first to check how much, if any, shrinkage occurs. If you still need a tighter fit, Wang recommends machine drying to less than 20% moisture on a higher heat cycle to achieve and lock in additional shrinkage. Depending on the fabric, sometimes a short blast of heat and/or agitation is enough to achieve the desired shrinkage. Check the garment every five minutes rather than waiting for it to completely dry. Air Dry If your garment still has excess moisture, try rolling it in a towel and applying pressure. Then, lay the garment out flat to fully air dry away from intense sunlight to remove the risk of the heat resulting in further shrinkage. Repeat the Process as Needed If the garment is smaller but still not a perfect fit, Wang says, “You can repeat this process several times to get closer to your desired outcome.” She explains that if a garment is a good candidate for shrinkage, most relaxation shrinkage naturally happens within one to three washings. However, further shrinkage could occur through the course of up to 10 wash and dry cycles. What If I Shrink a Garment Too Much? If you shrink your garment too much, the results can be irreversible. However, with some fabrics, such as cotton, you can try re-stretching it to make it wearable using the following method. “Fill a bucket with room temperature water and add half a cup of fabric softener, mixing it thoroughly,” Wang says. She says that the fabric softener lubricates and conditions fibers, allowing them to move more easily. Soak the garment for around 15 minutes before rinsing it with cold water and wringing out the excess moisture. “Gently and carefully stretch the wet garment out on a flat surface to the desired size and shape,” Wang says. Let the item air dry, and keep your fingers crossed. How to Unshrink Clothes with Hair Conditioner (Yes, Really!) Potential Clothes-Shrinking Pitfalls “It's difficult to control or predict the shrinkage and damage when intentionally shrinking clothes at home,” Wang says. However, being aware of the potential pitfalls means you won't be in for any nasty surprises. Sometimes, the item is pre-shrunk but doesn't say it on the label, and no change will occur. Shrinkage can sometimes distort the fabric, making the garment unwearable. Sometimes, the garment length might change, but the width won't. Exposure to repeated high temperatures can fade some fabrics. Excessive agitation and heat can contribute to premature pilling of fabric. This is where broken or short fibers tangle and form unattractive knotted balls.