For example, the tag might specify a water temperature, such as warm or cool. By washing the garment in the opposite temperature, you may be able to shrink the garment.
The hotter the water, the more the shirt will shrink, so use the temperature that seems appropriate to you. To get the water even hotter, boil a pot of water and pour it into the sink. If you want to wash the shirt as well as shrinking it, place a teaspoonful of laundry detergent in the sink. However, you will need to rinse the shirt in a separate tub or sink full of water after. If you are worried about affecting the color of the shirt, then you can also try soaking the shirt in cool or lukewarm water and then hang it up in a warm place to dry, such as near a heater.
Don’t hang the shirt to dry. This will cause the shirt to stretch in the shoulder area. When the first side of the shirt is dry, flip it over and let the second side finish drying. Try placing the shirt in a warm place to help it dry faster and shrink up a bit more. [4] X Research source
If you’re concerned about fading the color of your shirt, then you can add a cup of vinegar to the machine to preserve the color. The process of agitating the shirt may also help to shrink the shirt, so if you’re concerned about adding heat to your shirt, you can use the “permanent press” setting or cold water instead of hot water.
Use the “gentle dry” setting if you’re concerned about how the fabric will hold up. Use the “permanent press” or “regular dry” setting if you want to dry the shirt as fast as possible.
If you only want the shirt to shrink in certain areas, such as around the arm holes, then you can just spritz the shirt in these areas. [7] X Research source
If you want it to shrink more, repeat the process and use a higher heat setting on your dryer. Place a fabric softener sheet in the dryer with your shirt to freshen up the smell, too.
Keep in mind that water is necessary to shrink a garment, so dry cleaning will not usually shrink your clothes unless the machine is leaking. [11] X Research source However, your dry cleaners might offer a safe method for shrinking items without affecting the color and integrity of your garment.
