Especially in the days of online shopping, it’s not unusual to purchase an item of clothing that you like, but that is a size or two too big. Rather than returning it, you could try to systematically shrink it the next time you go to the laundromat. The guide below explains how.

Standard Wash & Dry

If you’re trying to shrink wool, polyester, or cotton, start by washing the item in hot water on a heavy-duty setting. The heat will cause the fibers to shrivel.

Dry wool items on a medium setting and polyester garments on high. Open the dryer door every ten minutes to assess how much the piece has shrunk. Stop the dryer when it has reached the optimal size. Laundromat appliances often offer steadier heat than at-home units because they are frequently maintained—a significant benefit when trying to make clothing smaller.

Boiling Method

If you’re trying to shrink pre-shrunk items or clothing that is not new, you may need to add some extra heat. Start by boiling water in a large pot and soaking the item in it. Then, use tongs to move the still-hot clothing to a washing machine where you’ll wash it with a teaspoon of detergent in hot water. Immediately transfer the cloth to the dryer to keep the item warm and dry it on high heat.

Check the item repeatedly every ten minutes until the size is right. If this doesn’t work, boil it and complete this process a second time. Take care to transfer the item immediately from one heat source to another to encourage maximum shrinkage. 

Shrinking Specific Areas

Sometimes, you may want to alter just one part of a piece of clothing, like a stretched-out waistband. To do so, mix one-quarter of a cup of fabric softener with three-quarters of a cup of hot water in a spray bottle and apply the liquid to the waistband. Then, toss the pants in the dryer on the high setting 

Looking for a place to shrink your clothes? Head to City Laundry in Lincoln, NE. The coin-operated facility features large-capacity machines that can handle everything from delicates to duvet covers. Call the Cornhusker Highway laundromat at (402) 483-2113 with questions or visit the website for information on their offerings.