Can You Shrink A Shirt Further After Washing It

Published December 1, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Can you shrink a shirt further after washing it? Yes, sure! You can shrink a shirt further after washing it.

Shrinking your shirt further after washing it is very possible and the positive news is that doing this is actually simpler than it may appear.

In some minutes, you can quickly shrink your favorite shirt by one size.

You can even choose to shrink your shirts by boiling them or using a dryer. Both utilize heat to reduce the size of fabrics.

Still, it is important to factor in the fabric type when trying to shrink your shirt.

While you can shrink nearly all types of fabric after washing, cotton remains the top fabric choice for shrinking purposes.

However, it is important to remember that cotton shirts can only shrink by a maximum of 25% of their initial size.

The level of shrinkage of a shirt is determined by its type of fabric and if it has been previously shrunk.

Make sure to always read the cloth label to confirm the shirt has not been pre-shrunk.

What Kinds of Shirts Can You Shrink?

Prior to beginning the process of shrinking a shirt after washing it, it is important to first inspect the label to determine its fabric composition.

The fabric type greatly impacts the ease of shrinking a shirt. Natural fibers are the top choice for fabrics that shrink the most.

As I previously said, cotton shrinks at a quicker rate compared to other fabrics. It has the ability to reduce a shirt's initial size by as much as 20%.

Other materials such as linen, denim, polyester, and wool are also capable of shrinking. However, you might have to try to shrink multiple times in order to reach your goal.

How to Shrink a Shirt Further After Washing It

In order to shrink a shirt further after washing it, follow these steps;

1. Adjust your washer to the maximum temperature setting available.
2. Heat the fabric so its threads can unwind. This will result in the yarns or threads becoming shorter.
3. Then, wash your shirt as thoroughly as you can - this can be achieved by selecting the lengthiest washing cycle option on the washer.
4. The more you wash in this state, the greater the shrinkage will be.
5. It will be reshaped through a process called consolidation shrinkage, which involves releasing tension from a fabric.
6. Then, dry the shirt by spinning it for the maximum duration possible - the fabric is more likely to shrink the longer it is exposed to this condition. 
7. Keep the shirt inside the dryer till it is completely cool.
8. Choose a high setting for your dryer; the fabric condenses when exposed to hot air.
9. Continue until you reach the outcome you want.

This method is highly effective with denim and cotton materials. It also applies to polyester but with limitations.

When it comes to denim, allowing it to dry naturally will make the material stretch out even more.

If you are attempting to reduce the size of polyester clothing, you may need to repeat the process multiple times.

Why Shrink Your Shirt Using a Dryer or Washer?

Shrinking a shirt using a dryer or washer is an effective method to quickly reduce the size of your shirt.

However, some people turn up the temperature on their washing machines and unknowingly shrink a shirt that was not meant to be shrunk.

That isn’t right and it is important to keep in mind that various types of fabric require different methods of shrinking.

Shrinking a Shirt by Boiling

Shrinking by boiling is another simple way to shrink your shirt. Follow the easy steps below to do so;

1. Heat up water inside a big pot until it reaches boiling point.
2. Switch off the stove as soon as it reaches boiling temperature.
3. Place your desired shirt into the water and let it soak for approximately 5 minutes in order for it to shrink.
4. The shirt will shrink more the longer it stays in the water and for maximum shrinkage, you'll have to leave it for at least 20 minutes.
5. Take the shirt out of the water once you are satisfied - remember to utilize a wooden spoon or tongs to prevent getting burned.
6. Allow it to cool down before checking it out.
7. You can continue the process many times until you reach your desired outcome.

Things to Note when Shrinking Your Shirt

When trying to shrink your shirt, there are several factors you must consider;

• When shrinking printed shirts, be sure to turn them inside-out so as to safeguard the design because repeated cycling can cause harm to your print.
• Always remember to try your shirt on every time you shrink it.
• Heat can damage a fabric, therefore you must be cautious when attempting to shrink a new shirt.
• It is not advisable to reduce it smaller than your true size, so make sure to avoid this - the worst scenario is discovering that it no longer fits because you have shrunk it too much.
• When shrinking dark shirts, be cautious of fading due to intense heat settings.

Conclusion

You can shrink a shirt further after washing it though washing is enough to do it. Shrinking a shirt is a simple task to accomplish and will require less time and effort.

You have the option to do it manually or with a washer/dryer; both ways work equally well.