How to Shrink Socks

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Most people have owned a pair of socks that they love, and they have all experienced disappointment when those cozy socks stretch out and fail to fit. Maybe they've stretched due to years of wear, or maybe they're new but not quite your size. No matter the circumstance, there are several achievable ways to shrink your favorite socks so they fit perfectly.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Washing

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  1. Most fabrics react to heat by shrinking, so use the hottest setting available for your cotton or wool socks. If you have other laundry that can be washed on a hot setting, add it into the load, too. [1]
    • If you’d like to shrink socks made from polyester or another synthetic material, use a cool wash setting instead. Synthetic fibers react differently to heat, so treating them like you would cotton won’t have the same effect!
  2. This will make sure the socks have enough time to react to the heat and shrink. To make sure you’re getting the best result, you can check on the socks mid-way through the wash.
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  3. If you aren’t satisfied with the size, try washing the socks again. You can now let the socks air dry, or throw them in the dryer for extra shrinkage.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Drying

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  1. Getting your socks wet with warm or hot water before putting them in the dryer will help them react to the heat better and shrink more, faster! [3]
  2. Use the longest cycle possible to give them enough time to shrink, and check on your socks every once in a while to make sure they are reaching the right size.
  3. Wool is most prone to shrinking in heat, due to the structure of the natural fibers, so you don’t need to expose it as much as you will other fabrics to achieve the same result. [4]
  4. Allow the socks to cool to room temperature before deciding if you need to shrink them further. If so, try washing and drying them on high heat again until you reach the size you want.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Boiling

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  1. For old, worn out socks or pre-shrunk socks, boiling them in water may give you the extra heat you need to shrink them. Make sure your pot of water is out of reach of children or pets to avoid injury. [5]
  2. Allow the socks to boil for about ten minutes, or longer for a more intense change in size. [6]
    • Add an aromatic essential oil, like lavender or eucalyptus, to make sure the smell of boiling socks doesn’t fill your home!
  3. Using tongs or a spatula, carefully remove the socks from the water and place them in the dryer. Discard the leftover water.
  4. After the cycle is complete, remove the socks and let them reach room temperature before checking the size. If you want them to shrink further, try boiling them for a longer time and repeating these steps until you reach the size you’re comfortable with.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I unshrink socks?
    Community Answer
    To unshrink clothes, soak them in warm water with a couple spoonfuls of conditioner for half an hour. Then, stretch them out and leave them to dry.
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  • Question
    Will cotton or polyester socks go back to their original size or will they stay shrunk?
    Community Answer
    They might get stretched out a little as you wear them, but for the most part they will stay shrunk.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ Susan Stocker. Green Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
      2. ↑ Susan Stocker. Green Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FMvuBStXEg
      4. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/shrink-a-wool-sweater-and-make-it-fit-again-1579046599
      5. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-shrink-a-shirt
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUSdiaahPaE

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