Do you have a piece of clothing that is a little too big? Then it would be great if you could shrink it for a while. This is possible, with the washing machine we sometimes even do it accidentally. This is how to shrink clothes without damaging them.
Why do clothes shrink in the wash?
Not all clothes shrink in the wash, but some do. A lot of pressure is sometimes used in the clothing manufacturing process to shape the fabrics. When the clothes shrink in the wash, it means that the fabric wants to return to its original shape. Although shrinkage can occur in this situation, it can also be caused by other factors. The fiber type, your drying method and the construction of the fabric also play a role. Fibers that shrink quickly are cotton, wool, silk and linen. Drying these fabrics at a high temperature can cause them to shrink.
This way you can shrink an item without damaging it
Shrinking your clothes at home is not always advisable. You cannot always be sure how your item will come out of the wash. For example, the item may change in length but not in width, or vice versa. But we understand that it is an interesting experiment to try. These are the steps you can take to downsize your clothes at home. Firstly, we recommend washing and drying at a high temperature. Be careful with this. Washing at too high a temperature can also cause the color of your garment to fade. Before you get started, also look carefully at the fabric your item is made of. Not all fabrics shrink in the wash. For example, polyester will not really shrink, but cotton will.
You can also shrink your clothes by adjusting the agitation level of your washing machine. So set the speed high. This means your clothes soak longer and the chance of success is greater. Running your washing machine at higher speeds is also an alternative to doing your laundry at a high temperature if you don’t like this idea.
Finally, you can also shrink your clothes by soaking them in boiling water. The water in your washing machine may be warm, but it’s not boiling. Soaking your clothes in boiling water increases your chances of success.
Repairing accidents
Oops, you accidentally shrunk a garment. What now? Fortunately, there is a solution for this. For example, soak your clothes in a bucket with room temperature water and a little fabric softener. Mix your water and fabric softener well before putting your item in it. Soaking your garment in this way loosens the fibers of the fabric and makes it easier to stretch. Leave your garment on for fifteen minutes and then rinse your item with cold water. Then hang your garment out and let it dry.
