Shrinking T-Shirts: Dryer Hacks For A Perfect Fit

Shrinking a T-shirt in the dryer is a great way to achieve a better fit, but it's important to be cautious to avoid ending up with a garment that's too small. The key factors are fabric type, duration, and temperature. Natural fibres like cotton, wool, and silk are more prone to shrinking than synthetic ones. Check the label to see if your T-shirt is pre-shrunk, as these are treated to minimise further shrinkage. If not, you can use heat and moisture to shrink the fabric. Wash using hot water, then tumble dry on a high-heat setting. Leave the shirt in the dryer until it cools to maximise shrinkage. If it's still too big, repeat the process.

Check the fabric type

Before attempting to shrink a T-shirt, it is important to check the fabric type. This is because different fabrics shrink at varying rates, and not all fabrics can endure every shrinking method.

Natural fibres such as cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp are more prone to shrinking than synthetic fibres. Cotton fibres, in particular, are the most amenable, capable of shrinking up to 20% depending on their quality and blend. In contrast, polyester, a synthetic fabric, shrinks less than 3%. Similarly, fabrics like nylon, acetate, and acrylic typically shrink around 3-4%, while rayon, derived from wood pulp, can contract by up to 10%.

Therefore, when checking the fabric type, it is also important to note the blend of the T-shirt fabric. For example, a 90% cotton/10% polyester blend will be more prone to shrinking than a 50%/50% blend.

Additionally, some fabrics may have been pre-shrunk during manufacturing to minimise further shrinkage during wear. In such cases, the fabric may only shrink a tiny bit, if at all.

Finally, certain fabrics are more susceptible to damage when exposed to high heat. For instance, the prints on graphic T-shirts may melt or crack when subjected to hot water or dryer heat.

Thus, checking the fabric type is crucial to determining whether a T-shirt can be shrunk and selecting the appropriate shrinking method to avoid potential damage.

Choose the right technique

The right technique for shrinking a T-shirt depends on the type of fabric. While heat will shrink most fabric types, different fabrics require different conditions. For example, a wool sweater may turn into a solid piece of felted fabric if washed in a machine, whereas a cotton T-shirt will only shrink moderately.

Cotton

Cotton is a flexible, shrinkable fabric that can be resized using hot water. If your cotton T-shirt is pure cotton, simply putting it in the dryer is the safest way to shrink it. This is because the vigorous motion of the drying cycle, rather than high temperatures, causes cotton to shrink. Therefore, drying a cotton T-shirt on high or medium heat will produce similar results.

If your T-shirt is made from blended cotton fabric, you will need to use heat and moisture in addition to agitation. Wash the T-shirt with a gentle detergent and hot water, then dry it on a high-agitation setting for the entirety of a short cycle. If it does not shrink enough, repeat the process.

Synthetic fabrics

Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and spandex do not absorb much water and are therefore not very prone to shrinking. However, you can shrink these fabrics by washing them on the hottest setting and then tumble drying on the highest heat setting.

Silk

Silk is a delicate fabric that can be shrunk using a garment steamer. Set the steamer to high and hold it about an inch from the fabric, then pass it over the areas you want to shrink.

Wool

Wool is a sensitive fabric that can shrink rapidly when exposed to high temperatures. To shrink a wool garment, spritz it with lukewarm water, then put it in the dryer on a short, gentle cycle and low heat. Check on the garment every few minutes to ensure it does not shrink too much.

Wash with hot water

To shrink a T-shirt in the dryer, it's important to first wash it with hot water. This is the first step in the shrinking process and is applicable to cotton, denim, and synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex. The hot water causes the fabric threads to relax and shorten.

When washing your T-shirt, use your washing machine's hottest setting to maximise the shrinkage. Opt for the longest washing cycle as a lengthier wash allows the fabric to shrink more. If you're dealing with a vintage or graphic tee, turn it inside out to protect the print.

After washing, you can then tumble dry the T-shirt using your dryer's highest heat setting and longest cycle. Leave the shirt in the dryer until it cools off completely to maximise shrinkage. If it still doesn't fit as desired, repeat the wash-and-dry process.

• If you want to avoid the hassle of shrinking a T-shirt yourself, look for pre-shrunk garments when shopping. Pre-shrunk means the fabric has been treated to minimise further shrinkage during wear.
• Different fabrics shrink at varying rates. Natural fibres like cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp are more prone to shrinking than synthetic fibres. Cotton fibres, in particular, are the most amenable to shrinking, capable of shrinking up to 20%, depending on the quality and blend.
• If you're working with delicate fabrics like silk, linen, or wool, avoid putting them directly into hot water. Instead, use a garment steamer on a high-heat setting while the clothing is hung on a hanger in an open space.
• If you're concerned about colours bleeding when washing with hot water, add half to one cup of white vinegar as a natural fabric softener.
• Remember, you can only anticipate your shirt reducing by no more than one size.

Dry on high heat

Drying your t-shirt on high heat is an effective way to shrink it. However, it is important to note that different fabrics have varying levels of heat tolerance, and not all are suitable for high heat. For instance, while cotton can withstand high temperatures, polyester should not be exposed to excessive heat as it may get damaged.

When drying your t-shirt on high heat, it is recommended to use the longest cycle available. Leaving the shirt in the dryer until it has completely cooled will maximise shrinkage. If you are dealing with a graphic or vintage t-shirt, it is advisable to turn it inside out to protect the prints.

It is worth noting that the tumbling and agitation of the dryer also contribute to the shrinkage of the fabric. Therefore, if you are using a top-loading machine, you may notice more shrinkage compared to a front-loading washer.

Additionally, different fabrics shrink at varying rates. For example, cotton fibres can shrink up to 20%, while polyester typically shrinks less than 3%. Therefore, it is important to manage your expectations and understand that you may not be able to shrink a t-shirt by more than one size.

If you are unsure about the fabric composition of your t-shirt, always start by reading the garment's label. This will help you identify the fabric type and determine if it can endure high heat.

Repeat if necessary

If your t-shirt still hasn't shrunk to your desired size, don't worry—you can repeat the process until you achieve the perfect fit. However, it's important to remember that you can only expect a reduction of up to one size, and this will depend on the type of fabric. For example, cotton fibres can shrink up to 20%, while polyester will shrink less than 3%.

When repeating the process, it's crucial to be cautious to avoid over-shrinking your garment. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always check the garment's label before repeating the process. Different fabrics have varying shrinkage rates, and not all fabrics can withstand every method.
• If you're using the washing machine and dryer method, opt for a gentle laundry detergent and hot water.
• For pure cotton garments, use a short cycle and high or medium heat. Check the garment halfway through the cycle to assess shrinkage.
• For blended cotton fabrics, repeat the wash and dry cycle until you achieve the desired shrinkage. Remember that shrinkage in blended fabrics occurs gradually.
• For wool garments, spritz the garment with lukewarm water before placing it in the dryer. Use a short, gentle cycle and low heat to prevent rapid shrinkage.
• For polyester and other synthetic fabrics, ensure your garment is durable and high-quality before attempting to shrink it again. These fabrics require plenty of heat to shrink, but low-quality fabrics may become worn out.
• For silk garments, place the garment in a mesh bag before washing and drying. Use warm water and a short, gentle cycle.

Frequently asked questions