What's the Best Way to Shrink Something?

Updated on March 15, 2012
J.S. asks from Green Cove Springs, FL
6 answers

I bought my husband a cheap t shirt from Walmart the other day. My husband is tall and pretty thin, and the large looked like it would be too short, the XL will swallow him. So I got the XL thinking I could try to shrink it. So, is it hot water or hot heat that I need? Or both? Any sure fire ways to shrink something?

Awww, damn it! It does say preshrunk. Oh well, he can either wear it or not. Next time I will just get the shorter one, since he seems to have less issue with that. :)

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Bahaha, Dad on purpose. If you're talking about what I think you are, I completely disagree. Water temperature DOES have an effect, just not hot water. ;) No pun intended but totally taken. LOL

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Columbia on

Laughter.

Sorry, just now read the part about the tshirt.

overdry it. The water temp isn't the shrinkage factor (no pun).

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

If it's a cheap cotton tee shirt, chances are it has not been pre-washed.
Washing it in hot water and drying it on the hottest setting should shrink it up a bit.
If it's polyester, washing won't shrink it.
The thing with cheap shirts is they are usually not worth the bother to alter them.

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

If it is pre shrunk there is nothing you can do to shrink it. Chances are pretty good it is.

The only sure fire way to make something smaller is to alter it with a sewing machine. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.A.

answers from Orlando on

The most reliable way to make it shrink is to not want it to shrink. lol

Really, if it shrinks at all it will most likely shrink in length not width so I'm not sure it's really going to help you anyway. But washing in any temperature and drying it on high should shrink it.

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

...........let my husband wash it! lmbo

if all else fails wear it to bed as a nightshirt

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hot water (if it won't fade), but HOT dryer is the best. However, many t-shirts are pre-shrunk these days. If that's the case, and the label should say, there might not be much you can do.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions