How to Shrink the Waist of Jeans

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Whether you've got a curvy figure or your jeans have stretched out over time, dealing with jeans that sag and gape in the waist can be extremely frustrating! Though shrinking your jeans in the wash is an easy way to combat stretched out denim, figuring out how to only shrink the waist can be a trickier proposition. If your jeans fit well overall and you'd like to only shrink the waistband of your jeans, there are a few quick ways to achieve the perfect fit without having to visit a tailor.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Boiling the Waist of Your Jeans

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    Fill a large pot of water 3/4 of the way full and place it on the stove. The pot should be large enough to submerge the waist portion of your jeans.
    • Set the heat on high and cover the pot with a lid to reduce the time it takes for the water to reach a boil.
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    Carefully dip only the waistband of your jeans into the boiling water. Make sure you do this very slowly to minimize splashing. The water is very hot and could cause a serious burn! Only the waistband of the jeans should be submerged in the water to avoid shrinking the whole pair of jeans.
    • Wear oven mitts to protect against burns.
    • If you are boiling water on a gas stove, make sure to keep the jeans away from the open flame. You want to shrink your jeans not set them on fire!
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    Allow the rest of the jeans to drape over the side of the pot onto a nearby counter while the waistband soaks in the simmering water. Make sure you don't let the jeans come in contact with the stove burner. [1]
    • If there is no safe place to rest the legs of the jeans, replace the pot lid and gently fold the legs over the top of the partially closed lid. Allow the legs to drape in a pile on top of the lid, leaving the waistband in the hot water.
    • You can also pour the boiling water into a bucket and allow your jeans to soak away from the stove.
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    Carefully use a pair of tongs to avoid touching the scalding water as you remove your jeans. Lay the waistband flat on top of a towel. Position the towel so that it can be folded over the jeans, like a sandwich. With the jeans resting between two layers of towel, begin pressing to remove excess water until your jeans are no longer dripping wet.
    • The excess water will be hot, so you may need to wear your oven mitts.
    • You can also try rolling the jeans and towel lengthwise into a log to squeeze out extra water.
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    Allow the jeans to remain in the dryer until completely dry. [2] As the waistband dries the denim fibers will contract to create a shrinking effect. Because only your waistband was exposed to the hot water, it will be the only part of your jeans to shrink. [3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Taking a Hot Bath in Your Jeans

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    Because hot water is necessary to cause the denim to shrink, you should adjust the temperature as high as is comfortable. Test the temperature of the water several times with your hand as the tub fills. You want the water to be hot, but not too hot to sit comfortably in for a period of time.
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    Though this might feel strange, soaking in the hot tub with your jeans on will encourage them to shrink to fit the shape of your body. You'll need to sit in the tub for at least 20 minutes. [4]
    • Plan ahead by setting up a speaker so that you can listen to music or a podcast while you soak. Or, stash some reading material near the tub if you prefer.
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    Because your jeans will be quite wet, you'll need to remove some of the excess water as soon as you get out of the tub. Wrap a towel around the lower half of your body and move it up and down the length of your jeans using a patting motion.
    • If you are wearing a pair of jeans with a dark wash, you may want to consider using a dark colored towel to avoid any stains that might occur from the dye that is released from your jeans. [5]
    • It is normal for some dye to leach out into the tub water. Don't worry, this should not stain your tub. After you drain the bath, rinse the tub thoroughly and wipe it clean.
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    Do not take off your wet jeans. Instead, keep them on while you are hanging out around your house. As the jeans dry they will contract, conforming to the shape of your body. If you are too uncomfortable in your wet jeans, you can remove them and allow them to partially dry.
    • If you remove your wet jeans, make sure to put them back on before they dry completely in order for the jeans to adjust perfectly to your shape as they finish drying.
    • Avoid sitting on light colored furniture while wearing your wet jeans as the denim dye might rub off.
    • Keep in mind that your jeans might shrink slightly overall if the entire jean is exposed to hot water. [6] Because you will soak and dry your jeans while wearing them, however, they will not shrink smaller than the size of your body. Rather, they will have a perfectly form-fitted appearance after they dry.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Spraying Fabric Softener on the Waist of Your Jeans

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    Add the water and fabric softener to a spray bottle and shake it up to mix the solution. You can use any kind of liquid fabric softener that you like. [7]
    • Choose a liquid fabric softener with a scent that you enjoy! You'll be spraying it in concentrated amounts so the scent will likely stick around your jeans for a while.
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    Carefully spray the mixture onto the area of your jeans that you would like to shrink. Make sure to only target the waistband, otherwise, you might accidentally shrink other parts of your jeans.
    • Spray the area heavily, making sure that it is completely saturated.
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    The heat will ensure that the fabric softener-soaked area of your jeans shrinks as it dries. Leave the jeans in the dryer until completely dry to maximize the shrinking effect. [8]
    • Repeat this process again if the waist stretches back out after a bit of wear.
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  • Question
    I don't have a dryer, so how would I dry them after putting them in boiling water?
    Midmorrow
    Community Answer
    I would recommend going to a laundromat or borrowing a mate's dryer. This method most likely won't work without being in the dryer.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/news/a18926/jean-fit-tricks/
      2. ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview. 8 May 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.yourtango.com/2018312304/how-shrink-jeans-fast-10-ways-get-your-jeans-smaller
      4. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/raw-denim-guide-experts
      5. ↑ https://www.primermagazine.com/2012/spend/shrink-to-fit-a-guide-to-shrinking-the-classic-levis-501-stf-jeans
      6. ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview. 8 May 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.bustle.com/articles/98809-the-best-way-to-shrink-jeans-fast-the-next-time-your-favorite-pair-stretches-out-and
      8. ↑ https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/news/a18926/jean-fit-tricks/

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        Jun 8, 2021

        "I tried the boiling water hack on my recently purchased, slightly gapped jeans, and it worked very nicely. Although ..." more
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