Q&A for How to Shrink Clothes in the Wash

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  • Question
    How much will the first method shrink my garments?
    Community Answer
    The hotter the water, the more it will shrink. The change shouldn't be enormous though.
  • Question
    How do you shrink nylon pants?
    Community Answer
    Nylon clothing typically does not shrink, but will stretch out over time if it has any spandex rubber woven in. Nylon itself may melt in hot dryer. Best bet is to have the pants altered by a seamstress.
  • Question
    If a hoodie has a print on it, would the print also shrink?
    Community Answer
    Everything will shrink. The size of the print may become scrunched, though, so be careful.
  • Question
    How can I shrink leggings that are 95% cotton and 5% spandex?
    Community Answer
    The first method will work fine. I have leggings that are cotton and spandex and it worked for me.
  • Question
    Should I use detergent or fabric softener?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the material you're washing. Detergent will work on most materials, but softener could work as an alternative.
  • Question
    How do I know what type of fabric it is if it doesn't have a label?
    Community Answer
    Some fabrics are distinguishable, like silk, which feels smooth and slippery. If the fabric is not distinct, you may need to try and find the shirt online or guess by comparing it to your other shirts.
  • Question
    How do I shrink 52% viscose & 42% cotton?
    Community Answer
    You cant; cotton shrinks, viscose doesn't. Cotton shrinks at very high temperatures, and viscose will only crush.
  • Question
    Best-case scenario, how much smaller would the garment be when doing the shrinking cycle once?
    Community Answer
    Don't expect there to be a big difference at first. You'll have to keep trying until it gets to your desired size.
  • Question
    How do I shrink a bath mat?
    Community Answer
    Wash it in cold water and then dry it in the dryer. I've done it before, and it worked fine.
  • Question
    Will the color of the material I am trying to shrink fade?
    Community Answer
    The color fades as you wash it. Heat will also wash it out. You can't see a difference if you don't put a whitening solution in when washing.
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