Shrinking Cotton Tees: A Step-By-Step Guide To A Perfect Fit

Cotton is a temperamental fabric that can be shrunk using a few simple methods. Whether you've outgrown your favourite tee or you've found a thrift store gem that's a little too big, there are ways to resize it without having to spend money on a new one. The most common methods for shrinking a cotton t-shirt include using boiling water, a washing machine, or a combination of the two. It's important to note that the shrinking process is irreversible, so it's best to check the label before starting and be mindful that colours may bleed.

Shrinking with boiling water

Step 1: Choose your fabric

Firstly, make sure your t-shirt is made entirely of cotton. It's important to note that the shrinking procedure is irreversible, so be sure you actually want to downsize the t-shirt. If the label says "pre-shrunk", it may not shrink at all, or it may shrink in certain areas but not in others.

Step 2: Boil water

Boil a large, clean pot of fresh water. Make sure there’s enough space in the container for your t-shirt to fit without the water spilling. You can add a cup of white vinegar to protect the colours from bleeding if desired.

Step 3: Soak the t-shirt

Soak the t-shirt in hot water for around 5 minutes. As some colour loss is possible, it’s best to downsize your items separately (unless they’re all the same colour). To ensure that the cloth is fully saturated, you may want to mix it with a wooden spoon. If you simply want your item to shrink somewhat, wait 5 minutes after taking the water off the heat before putting the t-shirt in. The longer you wait, the smaller it will get. When submerged in water, it may shrink by up to two sizes.

Step 4: Dry the t-shirt

Place the item in the dryer after carefully removing it from the water. Set your dryer to the highest setting available and tumble dry the garment until it is entirely dry. Protect your hands with oven gloves, potholders, or a towel when handling the hot t-shirt.

Step 5: Repeat if necessary

The initial boil will shrink the t-shirt the most, but it could still shrink a little more with each subsequent boil. Repeat the above procedures as needed until your t-shirt reaches the desired size.

Shrinking in the washer and dryer

Step 1: Wash your shirt in the washing machine with the hottest water setting

Wash your cotton t-shirt in the washing machine using the hottest water setting. If you're shrinking multiple t-shirts, wash them in batches of similar colours to prevent colour bleeding. If you're shrinking a graphic tee, turn it inside out before washing to protect the print.

Step 2: Check the shrinkage

After the wash cycle is complete, check if the shirt has shrunk to your desired size. If it has, air dry the shirt. If not, put it in the dryer.

Step 3: Dry the shirt on high heat

Transfer the shirt to the dryer and dry it on a high heat setting. First, check and clean the lint filter to avoid a fire hazard. Then, put your cotton t-shirt in the dryer and run it through the hottest dry cycle. If the shirt is vintage or a graphic tee, use medium heat to avoid damaging the print.

Step 4: Check the fit

Once the dry cycle is complete, inspect your work. If your shirt needs more shrinkage, run it through another hot washer-dryer cycle.

Tips:

• Front-loading washers produce less agitation and therefore slightly less shrinkage than top-loading machines.
• To prevent further shrinkage, dry your cotton t-shirts on medium heat in the future. High heat and tumbling may cause your shirt to shrink even more.
• Dark-coloured shirts may fade or look "powdery" due to the heat and tumbling raising microscopic fibres that diffuse the colour.

How to avoid overshrinking

Cotton is a flexible fabric that is easy to resize. However, to avoid overshrinking, there are a few things to keep in mind when shrinking a cotton t-shirt.

Firstly, check the tag on your t-shirt to see if it is pre-shrunk. Pre-shrunk garments have been treated to minimise further shrinkage, so they are less susceptible to shrinking. If your shirt is pre-shrunk, it may only shrink a tiny bit, or not at all.

Secondly, be mindful of the fabric composition. Cotton shirts are ideal for shrinking, but cotton blends may not shrink as much, or at all, depending on the other materials in the blend. For example, polyester is a synthetic fabric that does not absorb much water and is not very prone to shrinking.

Thirdly, when using the boiling method, be cautious of the timing. The longer the shirt is exposed to hot water, the more it will shrink. For maximum shrinkage, place the shirt in the water as soon as it starts boiling. For less shrinkage, wait a few minutes before placing the shirt in the water. Remove the shirt from the water after 5-20 minutes, checking periodically to ensure it does not overshrink.

Finally, when using the washer and dryer method, be mindful of the heat settings. High heat can be tough on fabrics and may cause overshrinking. Instead, use a medium heat setting when drying your cotton t-shirt to prevent damage and further shrinkage.

By following these tips, you can effectively shrink a cotton t-shirt while avoiding overshrinking.

How to shrink without a dryer

If you want to shrink a cotton t-shirt without a dryer, there are two main methods you can use: boiling water or a washing machine.

Boiling Water Method:

• Boil a pot of water large enough to submerge the entire t-shirt.
• Turn off the heat once the water is boiling and place your shirt in the pot. For maximum shrinkage, add the shirt to the hot water right away.
• Cover the pot and let the shirt soak for 5 to 20 minutes. The longer it soaks, the more it will shrink.
• Remove the shirt from the pot with tongs, then drain the water.
• Squeeze the excess water out of the shirt and let it air dry.

Washing Machine Method:

• Wash your shirt in the washing machine with the hottest water setting.
• Check the shrinkage once the wash cycle is done. If the shirt needs more shrinking, you can try the boiling water method described above, as air drying may not be effective for significant shrinkage.

How to shrink a graphic t-shirt

If your graphic t-shirt is too big, you can shrink it by applying high heat. Here are two methods to shrink your t-shirt:

Shrinking in the Washer & Dryer

If you want to preserve the print on your graphic t-shirt, it is best to use the washer and dryer method. First, check your shirt's tag to see if it's pre-shrunk. If it is, you're likely stuck with the shirt's current size as it may have already undergone a controlled pre-shrinking process during manufacturing.

If your shirt is not pre-shrunk, start by washing your shirt with hot water in the washing machine. Wash your shirt with like colours as the hot water can cause colour bleeding. Turn your graphic t-shirt inside out before you put it in the wash to protect the print.

Once the wash cycle is done, transfer the shirt to the dryer and tumble dry it on a medium heat setting. Check the lint filter and remove any buildup as high heat and dry lint can be a fire hazard.

Boiling Water Method

If you want to shrink your graphic t-shirt by up to two sizes, you can use the boiling water method. Fill a large pot with water and place it on the stove. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, remove the pot from the heat and carefully place your t-shirt inside. The longer you leave the shirt in the water, the more it will shrink. Leave the shirt in the water for at least five minutes or for up to 20 minutes.

After removing the shirt from the water, drain the water and gently squeeze out the excess water. Do not stretch the fabric as this may undo the shrinking. Let the shirt air dry or, for more shrinkage, place it in the dryer on high heat.

Additional Tips

• Cotton fibres can shrink up to 20%, depending on the quality and cotton blend.
• If you want to avoid colour bleeding, add a cup of white vinegar to the wash or boil.
• Always read the garment's label to identify its fabric composition. Different fabrics shrink at varying rates, and not all fabrics can endure every method.

Frequently asked questions