Shrinking 100% Cotton Tees: A Step-By-Step Guide

Cotton is a flexible, shrinkable fabric that can be resized using some hot water. There are two main ways to shrink a 100% cotton t-shirt: using boiling water or a washer and dryer. To use the boiling water method, place the shirt in a pot of boiling water for 5-20 minutes, then machine dry on high heat to shrink it further. For the washer and dryer method, wash the shirt with like colours on the hottest water setting, then machine dry on high heat.

Boiling water

Step 1: Boil Water

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. The pot should be large enough to completely submerge the t-shirt. If you plan on shrinking multiple shirts, use an extra-large pot that can fit all of them.

Step 2: Prepare the T-Shirt

If your t-shirt has stains, pre-treat or remove them before shrinking. Check the tag to see if it's pre-shrunk, as it may only shrink a tiny bit. Turn the t-shirt inside out to protect the colors and prints on the outer layer of the fabric.

Step 3: Add the T-Shirt to the Pot

Once the water is boiling, cut the heat and place your t-shirt in the pot. The amount of time you wait before adding the shirt will depend on how much you want it to shrink. For maximum shrinkage, add the shirt immediately. For slight shrinkage, wait 5 minutes, for medium shrinkage, wait 10-15 minutes.

Step 4: Let the T-Shirt Soak

Cover the pot and let the t-shirt soak in the hot water for 5 to 20 minutes. The longer it soaks, the more it will shrink. If you're only shrinking it by a small amount, check the size every couple of minutes.

Step 5: Remove the T-Shirt

Use tongs to carefully remove the t-shirt from the pot and place it somewhere to cool, such as a clean sink or countertop. Drain the water from the pot.

Step 6: Wring Out Excess Water

Once the t-shirt is cool, gently squeeze and massage the shirt to remove excess water, being careful not to stretch the fabric.

Step 7: Dry the T-Shirt

To shrink the t-shirt even more, put it in the dryer on high heat. If you want to avoid further shrinkage, let the t-shirt air dry by laying it flat on a drying rack or hanging it up.

Tips:

• Repeat the process if you want to shrink the t-shirt more after it has dried.
• Always read the garment's care label before attempting to shrink it.
• Be cautious not to over-shrink the t-shirt.

Washer and dryer

To shrink a 100% cotton t-shirt in a washer and dryer, start by checking the fabric blend. Confirm that your t-shirt is 100% cotton, as blended fabrics may respond differently to shrinking methods.

Next, set your washing machine to the hottest water temperature recommended on the care label. Wash your t-shirt with like colours, and if it's a graphic tee, turn it inside out before washing to protect the print.

After washing, transfer the t-shirt to the dryer and set it to the highest heat setting. The combination of hot water and high heat in the dryer will help the cotton fibres contract. Leave the shirt in the dryer until it cools off completely to maximise shrinkage.

If you are happy with the level of shrinkage, remember to wash and dry the t-shirt with cold water and medium heat from then on to prevent additional shrinkage.

If you would like to shrink the t-shirt further, repeat the hot water wash and high-heat drying process. Keep in mind that excessive washing and drying may affect the overall lifespan of the t-shirt.

Graphic tees

First, check the label to see if the t-shirt is pre-shrunk. If it is, it will be difficult to shrink it further. If it's not pre-shrunk, you can expect it to shrink up to 20% if it's made from 100% cotton.

If you want to shrink your graphic tee without washing it, the easiest way is to use a dryer. Here's how:

• Turn the graphic tee inside out.
• Wet the areas you want to shrink.
• Put the shirt in the dryer on the highest temperature setting for 15-20 minutes or until it's fully dried.
• Check the fit. If needed, repeat the process.

You can also use an iron to help shrink the shirt. Iron the graphic tee with a steam iron, but don't let the iron come into direct contact with the graphic.

If you're happy to wash your graphic tee, you can use a washing machine or the boiling water method.

For the washing machine method:

• Turn the shirt inside out and put it in the washing machine.
• Use the hottest water setting and an extended cycle.
• Remove the shirt from the washer and roll it between two towels to dry without wringing or stretching.
• Let the shirt air dry.

For the boiling water method:

• Boil a pot of water.
• Turn the shirt inside out and soak it in the hot water for 5 minutes or longer, depending on the desired level of shrinkage.
• Drain the water and let the shirt cool.
• Roll the shirt between two towels and let it air dry.

Remember, always turn graphic tees inside out when shrinking or washing to prevent direct high heat exposure to the print ink.

Air drying

First, you'll want to remove your t-shirt from the washer as soon as the cycle is finished. Leaving your t-shirt in the washer for too long can cause wrinkles and a musty smell. Give your t-shirt a good shake before you hang it up to eliminate wrinkles and soften the fabric as it dries.

When hanging your t-shirt, make sure the heaviest part of the fabric is at the bottom. This will allow it to get more airflow and help it dry faster. Pin the t-shirt to the clothesline at the side seams where they meet the bottom hem, and then pull the bottom taut and clip the other corner. Alternatively, you can hang your t-shirt on a hanger and hook the hanger onto the clothesline or a drying rack. Just make sure to use a plastic hanger instead of a wooden or velvet one, as these can absorb moisture and promote mould growth.

If you're air-drying your t-shirt indoors, choose a well-ventilated space with low humidity. Place your drying rack or clothesline near a window, fan, or vent to increase airflow. If you have a humidifier, you can also place it near your drying clothes to help remove moisture. Just make sure not to place your clothes directly onto a heat source, as this could be a fire hazard.

To speed up the drying process, you can use a standing fan to increase airflow. You can also flip your t-shirt halfway through the drying process to prevent musty odours and help it dry faster. And if your t-shirt feels stiff after air-drying, you can toss it in the dryer for 5-10 minutes while it's still slightly damp to soften and fluff it up.

Now you know the basics of air-drying your 100% cotton t-shirt! Just remember to always check the care instructions on the tag of your t-shirt before washing and drying.

Repeat process

If you're happy with the amount your shirt has shrunk, you can stop here! But if you want to shrink it further, simply repeat the process.

If you've been using the boiling water method, repeat the steps above. If you want to shrink your shirt a little more, place the shirt in the water as soon as it reaches a rolling boil. If you want to shrink it a lot more, turn off the heat and let the water cool for 5-15 minutes before placing the shirt in.

If you've been using the washing machine method, repeat the steps above. You can add a small amount of detergent if you like, but it's not necessary.

In both cases, you can repeat the process as many times as you like to get your shirt to the desired size. However, be aware that the more you repeat the process, the more likely you are to damage the cotton and weaken the fibres.

Frequently asked questions