Many people have the same concern in their minds. That is how to shrink a shirt without ruining the design. Or what’s the best way of doing that at home? Luckily, there are various solutions to address this concern. However, they are effective based on the fabric types of shirts.
We have created this post as your complete guide to shrinking a shirt without ruining it. So, we recommend you continue reading this post till the end and exploit it.
Understanding Fabric Types
Understanding fabric types is important whether you are shrinking dress shirts, polos, t-shirts, or other styles of shirts. There are fabrics that can shrink easily compared to others. For instance, natural fabrics, like cotton, are more prone to shrinking than synthetic fabrics. Therefore, it is important to know your shirt fabric before shrinking it. In any case, poly-cotton blend tees, like our Baby Casual Short Sleeve Lightweight T-Shirt, typically last longer than 100% cotton tees. So, they are a smart investment, too.
Differences Between Natural and Blended Fabrics
You need to understand the differences between natural and synthetic blended fabrics before shrinking a shirt. Natural fabrics are those made of natural fibers. Cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp, to name them. These fabrics are more prone to shrinkage, so they shrink easily.
On the other hand, synthetic fabrics are made from synthetic fibers. Nylon and polyester, to name a few. These fabrics are less prone to shrinkage. And polyester-cotton and nylon-spandex as synthetic blend fabrics don’t shrink easily. Yet, they are possible to shrink for a better fit. When we talk about tops and a vast collection of casual shirts, one thing that does not skip our minds is what kind of fabric are we actually going to get?
Which Fabrics Shrink the Best?
Natural fabrics shrink the best without compromising the fabric integrity. So, you can easily shrink shirts made of cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp. The same holds for 100% cotton apparels, like our Ladies Semi-Fitted Sleeveless Scoop Neck Tank Top.
Next, we would like to answer: Can you shrink synthetic fabrics, such as polyester?
Can Synthetic Fabrics Like Polyester Be Shrunk?
Of course, you can shrink shirts, such as casual shirts, made of synthetic fabrics like polyester. Here are the steps you need to follow to accomplish that:
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First, you will need to fill your kitchen sink with warm water.
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Next, add a tablespoon of hair conditioner per quart of warm water.
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Then, soak your shirt for thirty minutes in warm water you have mixed with hair conditioner.
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Get rid of your shirt from the water. Also, squeeze out the excess water.
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Don’t wring out your shirt fabric while the item is still damp.
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Finally, stretch your shirt fabric to your desired size. In case you find stretching fabric a challenge, use a clothing steamer. It will relax the fibers further.
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Finally, let your shirt air-dry. Hurrah! That’s it.
Preparation Before Shrinking
Preparation is as imperative as understanding fabric types for shrinking a shirt. In this regard, you need to read the care label of the garment. And, of course, you will need the right tools to shrink the garment.
Why Is Reading the Care Label Important?
Reading the care label is important before shrinking your shirts or dress shirts for a good reason. That is some fabrics are more delicate to shrink and some are prone to damage with shrinking. For this reason, you should read the care label and follow manufacturers’ guidelines for shrinking your shirts.
Tools You’ll Need to Shrink Your Shirt
In general, the following are the tools you will need to shrink your shirt:
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A Washing Machine
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Clothes Dryer
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Clean Towels or a Drying Rack
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A Laundry Detergent (Optional - to Wash the Shirt While Shrinking)
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White Vinegar (Optional - to Preserve the Color of the Garment)
However, the tools you will need can vary based on the method you choose to shrink your shirts. We’ll shortly talk about those methods. In any case, we have mentioned those tools below based on your chosen method:
Boiling Method for Shrinkage - Tools Needed
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A Large Pot
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A Stove
Targeted Method for Shrinkage (Steaming or Ironing) - Tools Needed
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Spray Bottle
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Steam Iron or Garment Steamer
Drying Method for Shrinkage - Tools Needed
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A Sink or Basin - to Hold Water for Soaking a Shirt
Tips to Prevent Damage While Shrinking
Here are the tips you can follow to prevent damage while shrinking a shirt:
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Use heat with caution when shrinking an old or delicate shirt. Please remember high heat settings can cause shirts to fade. So, use heat settings cautiously to shrink dark-colored shirts or tees.
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Instead of shrinking the garment often, opt for air-drying as a gentler alternative.
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Cautiously shrink your shirts with embellishments or prints.
Methods to Shrink a Shirt at Home
Now, let us share with you four different methods to shrink your shirt at home. Without further ado, let us reveal them to you one-by-one.
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How to Shrink a Shirt Using Washing and Drying
Washing and drying is the most effective method to shrink shirts or t-shirts made of different fabrics. Cotton, denim, and synthetic fabrics, like polyester and spandex, to name them. We have shared our step-by-step guide next to shrink your shirts via this method.
Step-by-Step Guide to Washing and Drying,
Here are the steps you need to follow to shrink your shirt via washing and drying:
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Launder your garment with your washing machine set to the hottest settings. It will allow the fabric threads of your shirts to relax and shorten afterward.
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Then, opt for the longest washing cycle to allow the fabric to shrink further.
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If you are shrinking shirts with prints or designs or vintage tees, turn them inside out. It will protect you from ruining the prints or designs on your clothing items.
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Then, tumble dry using the highest heat setting, with the longest cycle available.
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Leave your shirt in the dryer until it cools off to maximum shrinkage.
Further, you can repeat the process above if your shirt doesn’t shrink to a perfect fit.
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How to Shrink a Shirt Using Hot Water
One of the best methods to shrink your shirt is the hot or boiling water method. This method is easy to follow and works best on shirts made of natural fabrics. Find out our step-by-step guide to boil a shirt to shrink it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Boiling a Shirt:
Here are the steps you need to follow to boil and shrink your shirt with the boiling method:
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Arrange a large pot of water and boil the water.
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Once the water boils, you can turn off your stove and place your shirt in the boiling water.
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Leave your garment in the hot water for at least five minutes, up to twenty minutes. (Note: The longer your shirt stays in the water, the more it will shrink.)
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Get rid of the shirt from the water using a pair of kitchen tongs or a wooden spoon.
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Then, place it in a sink or bathtub to let it cool.
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Once your shirt is cool enough to handle safely, wring it out.
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Then, lay the shirt flat or hang it where it can air-dry.
In case the above steps don’t yield the desired shrinkage, repeat the process to shrink your shirt to the perfect size.
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How to Shrink a Shirt in the Dryer
Using a dryer is one of the fastest methods to shrink your shirt. This method can certainly save you time if you want to shrink the garment fast. To proceed with this method, you first need to wash your shirt in hot water. In fact, you need to do it in a way similar to the boiling method. Then, you can continue shrinking your shirt with the right heating settings and timings as mentioned next.
Heat Settings and Timing for Maximum Shrinkage
Once the wash cycle completes, you can put your shirt into the dryer. Set your dryer on high heat, running for thirty to forty minutes. Such heat and tumbling will effectively shrink the garment for you.
Moreover, you can achieve even better results using a dryer to shrink your shirt. Here is how: “Make sure your shirt is damp, not soaking wet prior to transferring it to the dryer.” It will allow for maximum shrinkage.
In addition, you can choose a medium heat setting if you prefer less heat to shrink the garment. But make sure to check your shirt every 10 minutes. Also, avoid repeatedly drying the garment on high heat using a dryer. It will thwart your fabric from wear and tear with time.
Also, we recommend you use a drying method sparingly to shrink your favorite tee. Regardless of whether your favorite tee is the Girl's Concert Long Sleeve V-Neck Tee or the other. It will ensure you keep your favorite tee or shirt in good condition.
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How to Shrink a Shirt with an Iron
You may seek a more controlled way to shrink your shirt. If you do, consider ironing the garment as your effective method. Ironing allows you to target specific areas of the shirt to shrink.
To begin with this method, first wash your polos or regular shirts and make sure it is slightly damp. Set the iron to a high heat suitable for the fabric type of your shirt. Then, you can place the shirt on an ironing board to start the process with a heated iron. You can continue with this method to target specific areas as mentioned next.
Targeted Shrinkage for Specific Areas
As you iron, focus on the target areas of the shirt you want to shrink. Using steam as the moisture will help the fibers contract. But make sure to not leave the iron in one spot for longer to avoid damaging the fabric. Instead, keep the iron moving smoothly over the garment. If you are shrinking a larger area, use a damp cloth between the iron and the shirt. It will protect the fabric of your shirt.
Following ironing, you can allow your shirt to cool for a few minutes before trying it on. Not to mention, the ironing method allows you to control the shrinking process more precisely and is great for touch-ups.
Now, you know how you can shrink your shirts based on different methods. It may lead you to think: Can I shrink outerwear, too, such as hoodies? Yes, you can do that. So, don’t miss out on reading our blog post on, “How to Shrink a Hoodie: Complete Guide.”
Here, we would also like to tell you if you can use steam to shrink delicate fabrics. And which fabrics can easily shrink using steam? Find out about that next.
Using Steam to Shrink Delicate Fabrics
Yes, you can use steam to shrink delicate fabrics using a clothing steamer. To accomplish that, use a clothing steamer on high heat over the entire delicate fabric shirt.
Which Fabrics Work Best with Steam?
The delicate fabrics, such as silk, wool, or linen shrink best when placed under an iron. Still, we won’t recommend you do that. What’s the reason? The aforementioned fabrics can burn easily with steam. So, it’s best to avoid using steam for shrinking your shirts to prevent your garments.
How Much Can a Shirt Shrink, and Why?
Well, you can certainly shrink a shirt. However, there is a shrinkage limit to that based on the fabric type. We have talked about it below based on the fabric type of your shirt:
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Cotton Shirts
Cotton shirts or tees are the easiest to shrink on purpose. And you can shrink these shirts up to twenty percent when placed in water or subjected to high heat settings. However, this shrinkage limit doesn’t apply to cotton-blend tees, like our Boy's Concert Soft Spun Short Sleeve Tee.
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Polyester Shirts
Polyester shirts or any tank tops shrink less than three percent in a hot wash, unlike cotton shirts which shrink the most. In fact, preshrunk shirts that you buy can shrink a maximum of three percent through a typical shrinking process that you follow at home.
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Nylon, Acetate, Acrylic, and Polypropylene-Heavy shirts
Shirts made of fabrics like nylon, acetate, acrylic, and propylene-heavy fabrics shrink up to three to four percent. Provided that the conditions are right for their shrinkage.
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Rayon Shirts
Rayon shirts made from wood pulp can shrink up to ten percent from their original size.
Post-Shrink Care Tips
Here are the tips you can follow to best take care of your shirts following their shrinkage:
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Always check the care label for specific washing instructions.
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Use cold water to prevent shrinking the shirts further.
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Gentle wash cycles are best for keeping the fabrics of your shirts intact.
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Don't use harsh detergents to wash your shirts, as they can damage the fabric over time.
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Instead of machine washing, adhere to hand washing to make your shirts look fresh.
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When using the washing machine to wash your shirts post-shrink, place them in a mesh laundry bag to protect them.
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Last but not least, store your shirt properly via folding instead of hanging them.
How to Unshrink a Shirt
Based on the fabric type of your shirts, you can also unshrink them with the right method. We have discussed below steps to unshrink different types of shirts, based on their fabric types:
How to Unshrink a Cotton Shirt Step-by-Step
Here are the steps you can follow to unshrink a cotton shirt:
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First, fill your kitchen sink with warm water.
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Add two tablespoons of hair conditioner to the warm water.
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Then, soak your cotton shirt for thirty minutes.
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Remove the shirt from the water.
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Finally, wring out the shirt and let it air-dry.
How to Unshrink a Cashmere or Wool Shirt Step-by-Step
Here are the steps you can follow to unshrink a cashmere or wool shirt:
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Firstly, fill your kitchen sink with warm water.
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Secondly, add two tablespoons of vinegar per quart of water.
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Stretch your shirt manually when soaked in the water.
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Once the garment soaks fully, squeeze the excess water out.
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Finally, stuff the garment with towels to continue the stretching process and let it air-dry.
How to Unshrink a Polyester or Rayon Shirt
Here are the steps you can follow to unshrink synthetic fabric shirts, like those made of polyester or rayon:
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First of all, fill your kitchen sink with warm water.
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Next, add one tablespoon of hair conditioner per quart of water.
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Then, soak your shirt for thirty minutes in warm water mixed with a hair conditioner.
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Remove the shirt from the water and squeeze the excess water out from it.
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Make sure you don’t wring out the fabric of your shirt. While the garment is still damp, stretch the fabric to its original size or your desired size.
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Use a clothing steamer to relax the fibers even further if you find stretching the material difficult.
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Finally, let the garment air-dry. That's it!
Wrapping Things Up
Understanding fabric types is important to shrink a shirt. The reason for this is that some fabrics, such as natural fabrics, shrink easily, unlike synthetic blended fabrics. It is important, too, that you do preparation before shrinking your shirt. That is reading the care label instructions and arranging tools to shrink the garments. There are various methods you can use to shrink your shirts based on their fabric types. Washing & drying, boiling, and ironing, to rename three of those methods.
Moreover, shirts made of different fabrics have different shrink limits. Cotton shirts can shrink up to twenty percent and polyester shirts can shrink a maximum of three percent. Following the post-shrink tips, you can best take care of your shrunk shirts. Lastly, it is possible to unshrink shirts, too, including cotton, wool, polyester, and rayon shirts.
FAQs
Q1. Can I shrink a preshrunk shirt?
A1. Yes, you can shrink a preshrunk shirt because preshrunk shirts undergo controlled pre-shrinking during manufacturing. So, you can intentionally shrink preshrunk shirts but you won’t find the process much effective for the second time.
Q2. Can I shrink a shirt with vinegar?
A2. Using white vinegar doesn’t accelerate the shrinkage process. However, adding half to one cup of it serves as a natural fabric softener during the shrinkage process. It also prevents the colors of the shirts from bleeding out.
Q3. How long should you boil a shirt to shrink it?
A3. For a slight shrinkage with the boiling method, you should take your shirt out after five minutes. For more than that, stick to ten to fifteen minutes. And for maximum shrinkage, you can let your shirt boil for up to twenty minutes.
Q4. Does hot water shrink all fabrics equally?
A4. In one word, “no.” Hot water shrinks natural fabrics like cotton and wool the most. And it shrinks most synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon the least.
Q5. Does boiling a shirt damage it?
A5. Boiling a shirt is more likely to damage your shirts with prints, unlike the washing and drying method. So, you should stick to the latter to shrink shirts with prints or designs.
