How to Shrink a Denim Jacket

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The denim jacket is a classic clothing item that never seems to go out of style. Getting your jacket to fit right is important, but sometimes it may a bit too large, or it has lost its original shape and hold. Luckily, denim is cotton-based, and is pretty easy to shrink with hot water and a dryer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine and Dryer

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  1. The tag can tell you if the jacket is safe to wash in a washing machine and whether or not it has been pre-shrunk. This could limit how much further it can be shrunk. [1]
    • The tag will also tell you the blend of the jacket. If it is not 100% cotton, that could affect how much it can be shrunk as well.
  2. Jean jackets can fade after repeated washes. The easiest way to prevent fading is to simply turn the jacket inside-out.
    • Button up or zip up the jacket so that it closes correctly after it has been shrunk.
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  3. Even if you plan to shrink more than one garment, wash your denim jacket by itself to achieve the best results. This will ensure an even soak and thorough wash cycle. [2]
  4. Hot water contracts the cotton fibers and will cause the jacket to shrink. Set the dial on your washing machine to the highest possible temperature setting. [3]
  5. Detergent can help to ensure that the jacket doesn’t fade in the wash. Not to mention, it will make your jacket cleaner and softer!
    • Use ¼ the recommended amount of detergent for a full wash since you are washing the jacket by itself.
  6. The agitation and time spent in the hot water will start to shrink the denim. The longer the exposure to the hot water, the better the shrink. [4]
  7. It may only take one hot wash cycle to shrink your jacket down to the size you want it to be. So allow the jacket to hang dry, then try it on to check the fit. Remember, it’s much easier to shrink something again than it is to unshrink it!
  8. If your jean jacket didn’t shrink quite enough after washing and hang-drying, you can dry it on high heat to shrink it further. [5] Keep it turned inside-out to prevent the color from fading.
    • Run the dryer for one hour.
    • Be careful, as the buttons or metal trim on the jacket will be hot after drying.
  9. The more you wash and dry on high heat, the more your jacket will shrink. But be careful! The more you wash and dry denim, the more it will lose its shape, color, and elasticity. [6]
    • You do not need to add detergent for repeat cycles.
    • Pre-shrunk denim may take more than one cycle to shrink to the right size.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Boiling the Denim Jacket

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  1. Be sure to have a pot large enough to fit the jacket without any of the water spilling out. Place the pot over high heat until the water is bubbling and boiling. [7]
  2. Denim is a sturdy material that will take a little bit of time to shrink. It is important that the whole jacket is submerged in the boiling water to ensure even shrinking. [8]
    • Use a wooden spoon or utensil to submerge the entire jacket.
  3. The pot, water, and denim will all be very hot. Carefully pour out the water and let the denim jacket cool for a little bit before you try to remove it.
  4. Once the jacket has cooled enough for you to handle it, you can check to see if it has shrunk enough. You can hang dry it or run it through the machine dryer on high heat if you need to shrink it more. [9]
  5. If the jacket has not shrunk enough after drying, you can boil it and dry it again to shrink it further. The more cycles you run it through, the more it will shrink.
    • Though denim is sturdy, it will eventually start to lose its color and shape after repeated shrinking attempts. [10]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Ironing the Denim Jacket

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  1. Wet denim will shrink much more than dry denim, and the wetter it is, the more you’ll be able to shrink it. You can wash the jacket, boil it, or apply hot water to prepare it to be shrunk.
    • If you are trying to shrink a specific area, like the sleeves or shoulders, spray or apply hot water to that area.
  2. Unfold an ironing board and lay your jacket flat across the top. Always use an ironing board to iron your denim as the hot iron can melt, warp, or burn other materials and cause it to stick to your jacket! [11]
  3. Use an iron on the hottest setting to iron the wet sections until dry. Keep the iron in constant motion to avoid burning the denim. Glide the hot iron over the damp regions in smooth, even strokes until the jacket is completely dry.. [12]
    • To shrink the jacket further, add more water to the area you wish to shrink and iron until dry, repeating as necessary.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I remove denim jacket stains?
    Ocean Van
    Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert
    Ocean Van is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Long Beach, California. He is the owner and operator of Coco Laundry, a full-service Laundromat and Wash & Fold service. Coco Laundry is a family-owned laundry service that offers top-rated wash, dry, fold, and convenient pickup/delivery options. He and his experienced team of laundry professionals offer commercial and residential laundry services, plus a self-serve laundry operation.
    Ocean Van
    Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert
    Expert Answer
    To effectively remove stains from a denim jacket, employ regular fabric stain removal products and adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for usage. If opting for natural stain removal methods, exercise caution, as they may potentially damage your denim jacket. Before applying any natural remedy, conduct a spot test on an inconspicuous area to confirm compatibility and avoid any adverse effects on the fabric. This precaution ensures a successful stain removal process without compromising the integrity of your denim jacket.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://mamabee.com/how-to-shrink-clothes/
      2. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/how-shrink-clothes-shrink-cotton-jeans-polyester-more-t144393
      3. ↑ https://www.entitymag.com/6-shrink-your-jeans-easy-methods/
      4. ↑ https://www.entitymag.com/6-shrink-your-jeans-easy-methods/
      5. ↑ https://homequicks.com/how-to-shrink-clothes
      6. ↑ https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-shrink-a-denim-jacket
      7. ↑ https://theidleman.com/blogs/news/stretch-shrink-jeans
      8. ↑ https://www.entitymag.com/6-shrink-your-jeans-easy-methods/
      9. ↑ https://theidleman.com/blogs/news/stretch-shrink-jeans
      1. ↑ https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-shrink-a-denim-jacket
      2. ↑ https://www.littlethings.com/how-to-shrink-jeans/3
      3. ↑ https://www.littlethings.com/how-to-shrink-jeans/3

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