Shrinking Cotton Tees: A Step-By-Step Guide To Success

If you've got a cotton t-shirt that's too big, you can shrink it to fit. Cotton is a natural fibre derived from the cotton plant's seedpod, and it's prone to shrinking as it dries after being wet. To shrink your t-shirt, you can use a combination of hot water and a dryer. The hotter the water, the more the cotton fibres will contract and the more the t-shirt will shrink. You can also use a combination of washing and drying on a hot setting to shrink your t-shirt.

How to Best Shrink a Cotton T-Shirt

Wash in hot water

To shrink a cotton T-shirt using the washing machine, start by washing your shirt with hot water. If you can, use a top-loading machine, as the agitation will cause the shirt to shrink more. When the wash cycle is over, transfer the shirt to the dryer and tumble dry it on a medium-heat setting. If you want to shrink the T-shirt by one or two sizes, put it in the dryer as soon as the wash cycle is over. If you only want to shrink it by half to one size, check the fit halfway through the drying cycle.

To avoid overshrinking, check the T-shirt's fit periodically. If it's already the right size, air dry it. If you want to shrink it further, put it back in the dryer. Repeat these processes until your T-shirt reaches the desired size. The first wash and dry cycle will shrink it the most, but you may be able to shrink it a little more with each subsequent wash and dry cycle.

If you're shrinking a graphic T-shirt, turn it inside out before you wash it to protect the print.

Boil in a pot

Boiling is an effective way to shrink a cotton T-shirt, and the process is relatively simple. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Pot

First, make sure you have a large, clean pot. It should be big enough to fit the T-shirt comfortably without spilling water. Fill the pot with fresh water and place it on a stovetop burner. You can add a cup of white vinegar to the water to prevent colour bleeding if you're concerned about that.

Step 2: Bring the Water to a Boil

Turn on the burner and heat the water until it reaches a rolling boil. At this point, you can turn off the heat.

Step 3: Soak the T-shirt

Now, carefully place your T-shirt into the pot of hot water. Use tongs or a similar tool to protect your hands from the hot water. The amount of time you leave the T-shirt in the water will depend on how much you want it to shrink. For slight shrinkage, 5 minutes should be enough. For more significant shrinkage, leave it in for 10-15 minutes. If you want to shrink it as much as possible, let it soak for up to 20 minutes. You can stir the water with a wooden spoon to ensure the T-shirt is fully saturated.

Step 4: Remove the T-shirt and Drain the Water

After the desired amount of time has passed, carefully remove the T-shirt from the pot using tongs. Be cautious to avoid splashing hot water on yourself. Place the T-shirt somewhere safe to cool down, like a clean sink or countertop. Then, drain the hot water from the pot, being careful not to burn yourself.

Step 5: Dry the T-shirt

Once the T-shirt has cooled down enough to handle, gently squeeze out the excess water. You can roll and massage the T-shirt to wring it out, being careful not to stretch the fabric. Then, you have two options for drying:

• Air drying: Lay the T-shirt flat on a clean towel or drying rack and let it air dry. This method will preserve the level of shrinkage achieved from the hot water without further reducing the size.
• Machine drying: Place the T-shirt in a dryer set to the highest heat setting. This method will cause further shrinkage of up to two sizes compared to its original shape.

Repeat if Necessary

If your T-shirt hasn't reached the desired size after the first attempt, you can repeat the boiling process as many times as needed. Remember that the initial boil will result in the most shrinkage, and subsequent boils will lead to slightly less shrinkage each time.

Tumble dry

Wash Cycle

Before tumble drying, it is recommended to wash the T-shirt using the hottest water setting on your washing machine. This will help relax and shorten the fabric threads. For cotton T-shirts, it is also important to only wash the T-shirt you want to shrink, as cotton is prone to colour bleeding. Turn the T-shirt inside out to protect any prints or designs on the fabric. You can also add a cup of white vinegar to the wash to prevent colour bleeding and act as a natural fabric softener.

After the wash cycle is complete, transfer the T-shirt to the dryer and use the highest heat setting available. Leave the T-shirt in the dryer until it has completely cooled to maximise shrinkage. If the T-shirt is still not the desired size, repeat the wash and tumble dry cycle.

Additional Tips

• If you are worried about over-shrinking, check the T-shirt periodically throughout the tumble dry cycle.
• To avoid over-shrinking, do not stretch the T-shirt while it is still hot after removing it from the dryer.
• If you want to shrink a specific area of the T-shirt, you can use an iron on the inside-out T-shirt. Spray the area you want to shrink with water, and use the iron on its highest heat setting.
• To avoid shrinking, always use a cold water setting when washing cotton T-shirts and air dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting.

Use a garment steamer

Garment steamers are a great option for shrinking cotton t-shirts, especially if you're working with delicate fabrics like silk, linen, or wool. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a garment steamer to shrink your cotton t-shirt:

Step 1: Prepare the T-Shirt

Before you start steaming, make sure your cotton t-shirt is clean and free of any stains. If there are any stains, pre-treat or remove them, as the heat from the steamer will set them permanently. Check the care label on your t-shirt to determine if it's suitable for steaming.

Step 2: Hang the T-Shirt

Hang the t-shirt on a hanger in an open space. This could be in a room or even outdoors, as long as you have access to an electrical outlet for the steamer. Ensure the area is well-ventilated to avoid any potential issues with the steam.

Step 3: Fill the Steamer

Fill your garment steamer with water as per the manufacturer's instructions. Different steamers may have specific requirements or recommendations, so it's important to refer to the user manual.

Step 4: Start Steaming

Turn on the garment steamer and set it to the highest heat setting. Allow it to heat up completely before starting the steaming process. Hold the steamer head about an inch or two away from the t-shirt, and start steaming. Focus on the areas you want to shrink, moving the steamer steadily and consistently across the fabric.

Step 5: Monitor the Process

Keep a close eye on the shrinking process. Check the t-shirt's size every few minutes to ensure it's shrinking as desired. If you're aiming for a specific size, you may need to stop and assess the fit periodically.

Step 6: Repeat if Necessary

If your t-shirt hasn't shrunk enough after the first round of steaming, you can repeat the process. Remember to allow the steamer to reheat between steaming sessions.

Using a garment steamer is a gentle and effective way to shrink a cotton t-shirt, especially if you're working with delicate fabrics or targeting specific areas for shrinkage. Remember always to follow the care instructions on your garment and to exercise caution when working with hot steam.

Wash and repeat

Wash, dry, and repeat. This method is most effective with cotton, denim, and synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex. Start by laundering your garment in your washing machine's hottest setting to prompt the fabric threads to relax and subsequently shorten. Opt for the longest washing cycle, as a lengthier wash allows the fabric to shrink more. When dealing with graphic or vintage tees, turn them inside out to protect the prints.

Next, tumble dry using your dryer's highest heat setting and with the longest cycle available. Leave the shirt in the dryer until it has completely cooled off to maximise shrinkage. If it's still not the perfect fit, repeat this method.

The first wash and dry will shrink your t-shirt the most, but you can repeat the process until you achieve the desired size. Just remember that cotton fibres can only shrink up to 20% at most.

Frequently asked questions