How to Shrink Socks

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Shrink-Socks-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Shrink-Socks-Step-1.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Shrink-Socks-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Shrink-Socks-Step-2.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Shrink-Socks-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Shrink-Socks-Step-3.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Drying

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Shrink-Socks-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Shrink-Socks-Step-4.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Shrink-Socks-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Shrink-Socks-Step-5.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Shrink-Socks-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Shrink-Socks-Step-6.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Shrink-Socks-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Shrink-Socks-Step-7.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Boiling

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Shrink-Socks-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Shrink-Socks-Step-8.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Shrink-Socks-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Shrink-Socks-Step-9.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Shrink-Socks-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Shrink-Socks-Step-10.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Using tongs or a spatula, carefully remove the socks from the water and place them in the dryer. Discard the leftover water.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Shrink-Socks-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-Socks-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Shrink-Socks-Step-11.jpg\/aid10628658-v4-728px-Shrink-Socks-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • 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.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to Apply to Be a Shein Tester at Home
      How to
      Take the Stretch Out of an Elastic in Clothing
      3 Quick and Easy Ways to Fix a Broken Zipper
      How to Dress when You Have Broad Shoulders
      How to
      Stop Fabric from Fraying
      What Clothes Do Guys Like on a Girl? 13 Outfits He'll Love
      3 Simple Ways to Starch Jeans
      How to
      Tie a Pants Bow
      How to
      Stretch Pants Out
      How to Wear a See-Through Shirt & Stay Covered
      How to
      Put Price Tags on Clothes
      How to
      Shrink Nylon
      How to
      Use Bleach Without Ruining Clothes
      How to
      Shrink Spandex
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Susan Stocker. Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
      2. ↑ Susan Stocker. Cleaning Professional. 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

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 71,275 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement