- What fabric are sweatshirts made of?
- How to shrink a cotton sweatshirt in 3 steps
- How to shrink a polyester sweatshirt in 4 steps
- How to shrink cotton-polyester sweatshirt in 3 steps
- Bonus: Tips for how to shrink a sweatshirt fast
- How to wash a sweatshirt without shrinking
Call them sweatshirts, hoodies, or jumpers—these tops are a wardrobe staple for many. As the weather gets cooler, there are few things in life more comforting than wrapping up warm in your favourite one. While oversized sweatshirts can look cool, there’s such a thing as too big. So, how can you shrink a sweatshirt and make it fit like a glove?
In this guide, we examine ways to effectively shrink your sweatshirt without ruining it—believe us, it’s a fine art. We will also cover various fabric types, including cotton, polyester, and blends, and offer tips for keeping your sweatshirt in top-quality condition.
What fabric are sweatshirts made of?
Before diving into the shrinking process, you need to understand the material of your sweatshirt. The way that you shrink your sweatshirt will depend on the fabric. The most common sweatshirt and hoodie fabrics include:
- 100% cotton: Known for its breathability and softness, cotton sweatshirts can easily be shrunk using heat. Keep in mind that 100% cotton sweatshirts are rare and may be more expensive than other options.
- Polyester: This synthetic fabric is less prone to shrinking but can still be altered with the right approach. If your sweatshirt or hoodie is made of this material, you might find that it’s harder to shrink it. However, it is possible!
- Cotton-polyester blends: These sweatshirts combine the best of both worlds—and are often the most common. If you have this type of sweatshirt, you may find that the shrinking process requires a different approach.
Tip: Check the label of your clothes
Before you go any further, check the label of your sweatshirt. There, you should be able to find out what the material is. Often enough, the label will give you percentages for each of the fabrics used. Make a note of the fabric type before you move on to the following guides.
How to shrink a cotton sweatshirt in 3 steps
If you have a 100% cotton sweatshirt, there is a way that you can shrink it. Let’s take a look at the steps you should take to get this right:
Step 1: Wash in hot water
Start by washing your cotton sweatshirt in hot water. Use the hottest setting your washing machine allows—in most cases, that is 90 degrees—as the heat will cause the fibres to contract. Make sure that you don’t wash anything else at the same time.
Step 2: Tumble-dry your sweatshirt
While it’s not often recommended to tumble-dry 100% cotton items, if you want to shrink it, that’s exactly what you should do. Research from way back in 2005 suggests that it is the heat from the tumbler dryer that is most likely to effectively shrink your cotton items, not the wash.
Step 3: Repeat if needed
Unfortunately, every garment is different. You may find your sweatshirt does not get smaller the first time around. If the sweatshirt hasn’t shrunk enough, repeat the washing and drying cycle. It could take one or two cycles to achieve the desired fit, but keep in mind that results vary.
How to shrink a polyester sweatshirt in 4 steps
Next up, let’s deal with polyester sweatshirts. These garments are a bit trickier, as they don’t shrink as easily as cotton. However, there is a process you can try that will help.
Step 1: Soak your sweatshirt in warm water
Before you get started, soak your sweatshirt in warm water. While there’s only anecdotal evidence that this can help shrink it, it’s worth giving it a go and can’t do any harm.
Step 2: Use a hot water wash
Once again, you should put your sweatshirt on a hot water wash. You can use a 60 or 90-degree wash in your machine. This step helps to loosen the fibres of the garment.
Step 3: Tumble dry on a high heat
Dry your polyester and cotton sweatshirt on the highest heat setting. However, you should monitor the sweatshirt closely. Polyester can be sensitive to extreme heat and may become damaged if overheated.
Step 4: Try adding some steam
If additional shrinking is needed, here’s a quick hack: Consider using a steam iron on the fabric, focusing on areas that feel loose. This approach may help tighten up the garment, making it shrink more than you might imagine.
How to shrink cotton-polyester sweatshirt in 3 steps
And finally, for sweatshirts made of a cotton-polyester blend, you should use the same approach as above. However, since every sweatshirt is unique, you should take extra care. You never know when a combined fabric sweatshirt may react badly to high temperatures.
Step 1: Use a high-heat wash
You can soak your sweatshirt before you start. Next, wash your sweatshirt or hoodie in hot water to start the shrinking process.
Step 2: Tumble-dry on a high heat
Next up, you should tumble-dry your sweatshirt on a high heat. Don’t do this multiple times without checking in between. This combination of materials can be sensitive to heat.
Step 3: Repeat if needed
Once you’ve done all of the above, check the size of the sweatshirt and see whether you need to repeat the process. You can keep going until you’ve got the right size for your needs.
Bonus: Tips for how to shrink a sweatshirt fast
If you have a new sweatshirt and you want to shrink it fast, there are some simple approaches that you can take. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you need to keep in mind.
Tip 1: Always pre-wash your sweatshirt
Before you do any of the things we’ve suggested in this article, you need to pre-wash your sweatshirt. Use a normal setting on your washing machine rather than a high heat. If you’re unsure where to start, refer back to the laundry symbols on the label for instructions.
Tip 2: Use boiling water
Next up, you can submerge your new sweatshirt in some boiling water. Leave the sweatshirt in this water for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Tip 3: Dry the sweatshirt fast
After putting it in the boiling water, immediately transfer the sweatshirt to a hot dryer. This rapid method can offer you significant results in a short time.
After following these tips, check the size of the sweatshirt. If it has shrunk significantly, you might not need to do anything else. However, if you find that the sweatshirt needs to shrink down even more, you can follow the steps we’ve outlined above.
How to wash a sweatshirt without shrinking
Now we’ve covered how to shrink a sweatshirt in the wash, let’s talk about when you don’t want to do that. If your hoodie or sweatshirt is the right size for you, there’s a simple way that you can avoid shrinking your garment. Follow these tips:
- Use a cool water wash. When washing your sweatshirt in a machine, try to use a cool water wash. This can prevent the heat from altering the size of your sweatshirt.
- Choose a gentle wash. A gentle cycle reduces the chance of fabric agitation and eventual shrinkage.
- Leave it to air dry. Finally, make sure that you leave your sweatshirt or hoodie to dry naturally, either outside on the line or in your home.
Shrinking a sweatshirt, whether cotton, polyester, or a blend, can be achieved with the right methods and care. By understanding the fabric and using heat effectively, you can tailor your oversized sweatshirts to fit perfectly. Always remember to monitor the process closely to avoid over-shrinking and damaging your beloved garments. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a snug, stylish sweatshirt that’s just the right size!
Q&A
Did we miss something along the way? Check out our frequently asked questions below.
Will a sweatshirt shrink in the dryer?
The short answer is sometimes. When fabric is exposed to hot heat, it may cause eventual shrinkage. However, blends and materials differ greatly, so you can never be certain when a garment may shrink or not.
Will a sweatshirt shrink if washed in hot water?
Hot water can shrink clothes, especially when it’s extreme. If you are trying to shrink garments, you should use a hot setting—90 degrees if possible. However, understand that you may not always get the results that you expect, as shrinking can distort fabric, too.
How to alter a sweatshirt that is too big?
When a sweatshirt or hoodie is too big, you may want to try shrinking it. In this guide, we’ve discussed the different ways to do that. Follow our advice, but always keep in mind that shrinking your clothing at home is not always guaranteed.
Have we helped you shrink your sweatshirt? Let us know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply