Content

• Method 2 of 3: How to Reduce the Washed Garment
• Method 3 of 3: How to protect a garment from stretching
• Tips

1 Pay attention to the label. Different fabrics, such as wool and cotton, have different shrinkage rates, so before you start shrinking a garment, determine what fabric it is made from. Wool, for example, is a delicate material. Therefore, special care should be taken when drying wool in a tumble dryer. Cotton, in turn, is considered a durable material. Therefore, it can be dried safely in a tumble dryer. Silk usually shrinks by about 8-10% when washed.

• Find out if the garment has been washed before. New items tend to shrink after the first wash, while items that have already been washed are unlikely to change their size. In this case, you will have to use a different method.

2 Wash the garment in hot water. You can do this by hand or in a washing machine.

• If you choose to do this by hand, boil the water. Place the garment in boiling water and keep it there for a few minutes, then remove the bowl of garment from the heat.
• Do not use fabric softener.

3 Place your clothes in the dryer. Set the heat setting for cotton garments and check from time to time to see if the garment is the correct size for you. Once the desired result is achieved, remove the item from the dryer and allow it to air dry to prevent further shrinkage.

• Leave the clothes in the tumble dryer if you need more time to shrink.
• Dry polyester or wool clothing at medium temperature until completely dry.

4 Try on a piece of clothing. Determine if the item has acquired the size you want. Adjust the size of the garment as you see fit. You can either shrink it or stretch it if needed.

5 Repeat the process. Repeat the process until you reach the desired size. Remember, however, that shrinkage usually occurs during the first wash. If you want a smaller piece of clothing, you may need to sew it on.

Method 2 of 3: How to Reduce the Washed Garment

1. 1 Wash your clothes in hot water. Do not use fabric conditioners or other chemicals that can interfere with the shrinkage of the fabric.
   • If you want to shrink a thing that has a pre-shrunk mark on it, that doesn't mean you won't be able to shrink the thing.
2. 2 Dry your clothes at the highest possible temperature. Choose the longest cycle that will shrink the fabric. However, be careful not to ruin the item by exposing it to high temperatures.
   • Dry cotton clothes at a high temperature.
   • Dry polyester and wool garments at medium temperature.
3. 3 Evaluate the result. Since washed items of clothing or those that have been pre-shrunk are difficult to shrink, be prepared to have to sew on the item you want to shrink.
   • If possible, it is best to alter the item rather than trying to shrink it, especially if you need to shorten the length without affecting the width of the garment. Remember that the use of a washing machine and dryer for delicate fabrics can damage the quality of the material.

Method 3 of 3: How to protect a garment from stretching

1. 1 Do not hang the garment when drying. Drying clothes on a rope can help stretch them. Choose a different method of drying your clothes. You will likely find it difficult to shrink the garment if you have washed it in hot water.
2. 2 Do not hang sweaters to avoid stretching and loss of shape. Woolen garments such as sweaters should not be hung on a hanger. Such things stretch very quickly and lose their shape.
3. 3 Take the item to a dry cleaner. While some may think they can shrink the garment themselves at home, in fact, they can ruin the material by doing it at home. The fabric may lose its elasticity and shape.
   • Using the services of dry cleaning, you will be able to extend the life of your favorite item, as well as protect it from stretching.
4. 4 Fasten buttons and zippers before washing. By doing this, you will prevent the garment from stretching, part of which may catch on the zipper or button. Therefore, before placing a piece of clothing in the washing machine, look in what condition it is.

Tips

• Cotton shrinks strongly during the first wash. To prevent the garment from shrinking more than necessary, check the garment periodically until it is completely dry.
• Do not put leather, fur and silk items in the washer or dryer. If you want to shrink a garment from these fabrics, it is best to alter it.
• Be sure to read the garment care label before washing.