Shrinking Preshrunk Tees: A Guide To Restoring Your Favorite Fit

If you have a shirt that’s a little too big, you might want to shrink it. Most cotton or cotton-blend shirts sold nowadays are pre-shrunk, but it's still possible to shrink them by about 3-5%. To do this, you'll need to use heat, as this is what makes the fibres in your shirt contract. You can try using a washing machine, shrinking by hand, spot-shrinking, or even bringing your preshrunk shirt to a professional.

Soak the shirt in hot water

To shrink a preshrunk T-shirt by hand, you'll need to begin by soaking the shirt in hot water. This is a crucial first step, as it is the heat that will make the fibres in your shirt contract and, ultimately, shrink.

First, you'll need to fill a large pot or your sink with very hot water. The water should be hot enough that it will take a while to cool down. Place the shirt in the water and let it soak until the water is cool. For safety, be careful when handling the hot water and do not fill the pot or sink to the brim, as the water may spill over when you place the shirt in.

If you are also looking to clean your shirt, you can add white vinegar to the water. This is a good option if you want to freshen up an old T-shirt that no longer fits and give it a new lease of life.

Once the water has cooled down, carefully remove the shirt from the water. You can use tongs to do this to avoid getting hot water on your skin. Hold the shirt over the pot or sink until it stops dripping, then move it away.

Now your shirt is ready to go into the washing machine. Place it in the machine by itself and run the cycle on a small load. Set the water temperature to hot and add a small amount of laundry detergent before starting the cycle.

Wash the shirt alone

To shrink a preshrunk T-shirt, it's important to wash the shirt alone. This is because washing the shirt with other items could lead to accidentally shrinking other items of clothing. By washing the shirt alone, you can also help preserve the colour and design of the T-shirt.

To begin, pull the shirt inside out. This will help to prevent fading. Next, place the shirt in the washing machine by itself and run the cycle on a small load. It's important to use the hottest water setting, as heat is what makes the fibres in the shirt contract. Before starting the cycle, turn the water temperature to hot and add a small amount of laundry detergent.

Once the cycle is complete, take the shirt out of the washer and put it immediately into the dryer. Again, it's important to use the hottest setting, which is usually permanent press. Allow the shirt to dry for a full cycle, even if the sensor indicates that the shirt is already dry.

If the shirt has not reached the desired size, you may need to repeat the cycle. Try on the shirt to see how much it has shrunk, and continue the process until you are happy with the size.

Put it in the dryer immediately

Once you've washed your t-shirt, put it in the dryer immediately. It's important to do this straight after the wash cycle ends, without delay. Place the shirt in the dryer and let it dry for a full cycle, even if the dryer's sensor tells you the shirt is already dry. The heat from the dryer will help the fibres in the shirt contract, so it's important to use the hottest setting, which is usually permanent press.

If you're not happy with the amount of shrinkage after the first cycle, you can repeat the process. Take the shirt out of the dryer and put it through another wash cycle, followed immediately by another full drying cycle. You may need to do this a few times until you get the desired size.

It's worth noting that preshrunk t-shirts can be difficult to shrink further, and once you've tried drying the shirt twice, it's unlikely to shrink any more.

Repeat if necessary

If your shirt still hasn't shrunk to your desired size, you can repeat the process. Try your shirt on and see how it fits. If it's still too big, repeat the cycle again. Depending on how much you want your shirt to shrink, you may need to do this 2-3 times.

Tips for repeating the process

• If you're using a washer and dryer, make sure to keep the settings on their hottest settings.
• Wash the shirt alone, and inside out, to preserve the colour and design.
• Put the shirt in the dryer immediately after the wash cycle ends, and let it dry for a full cycle.
• If you're shrinking by hand, be careful when handling boiling water.
• When removing the shirt from the boiling water, use tongs and hold the shirt over the pot until it stops dripping.
• Don't hang the shirt to dry, as it will stretch. Instead, lay it flat on a rack.
• If you want to shrink specific parts of the shirt, you can try spot-shrinking. Spray the areas you want to shrink with warm water, then put the shirt in the dryer on the permanent press setting.

Spot-shrinking your shirt

If you want to shrink a specific area of your shirt, steaming is the best method. This is particularly good for delicate fabrics like silk, linen, or wool. Hang the shirt on a hanger in an open space and use a garment steamer on a high-heat setting. Keep the steamer head about an inch or two away from the fabric.

You can also use this method if you want to shrink a graphic t-shirt. Turn the shirt inside out before steaming to protect the print.

If you don't have a garment steamer, you can try using a hairdryer on its highest setting. Hold it about an inch away from the area you want to shrink and move it constantly in small circles to avoid scorching the fabric.

Another option is to boil a pot of water and, once it reaches a rolling boil, remove it from the heat. Carefully lower the section of the shirt you want to shrink into the water and hold it there for 5-20 seconds. Remove the shirt from the water and let it cool and dry.

If the shirt is only slightly too big, you can also try washing it in the washing machine with cold water. This may cause it to shrink a tiny bit without risking too much shrinkage.

Frequently asked questions