How do i shrink stuff in the wash?

brisck1

Hi everyone,
I recently bought an item of clothing which I really like at a bargain price. Unfortunatly it is a tad too big for me and im wondering if it s possible to shrink it in the wash somehow?

I cant take it back as there was a no return policy on sales items and I really would like to keep it. Im a bit of a noob a wahing stuff so be gentle with me :P

The label says it's 50% cotton ad 50% acryllic if that makes a difference...

Thanks
Rob

moggins

Not really as you could end up with it just being big enough to fit Barbie

squeaky

Dodgy. Most things I've shrunk, by accident, have not shrunk evenly. Because of the weave they've shrunk more in one direction (usually vertically) than they have in the other.

I'll be interested to see if someone has an answer for this.

Even more interested to read the opposite to account for expanding waistlines

brisck1

How does it happen though? I have the impression that you would put it in a hot wash, am I right?

If anyone has a safe solution let me know

System

Tumble dry it on hot - it works for me everytime :mad:

MrsB_2

Depending on what the item is, would it not be easier to try and alter it to fit (take in the waistband for example)?

More often than not I find if I do shrink items it tends to happen in the tumble drier rather than in the washer - like jeans for example. And as the others said, it's not always a huge succes!!

squeaky

If you really REALLY REALLY want to do it...

..there are 147 suggestions in the google search link:-

Google - How to shrink clothes


HTH

moggins

Yep, I agree with the tumble drier, XDH did this with two of his army jumpers and they came out just the right size for our daughter (she was 6 months old at the time)

brisck1

lol moggins thats drastic! Anyway I dont have a tumble dryer, but from reading some of the links from google i may try it on a hot wash with a teaspoon of salt which apparently helps keep the colour

carly

I think it will depend on the relative proportions of cotton and acrylic in the garment. Natural fibres like cotton and wool will shrink if subjected to too much heat, but some manmade fibres like acrylic will loosen up and actually become baggy and shapeless under the same conditions. It will also depend on how the item is made. A woven item may well shrink without the overall texture being spoiled but a knitted item is more prone to erratic and unpredictable changes in shape and texture which may or may not be acceptable. It all depends on your taste. I say this not to discourage you, but as one who has had her fair share of laundering mishaps.

MrsB_2

The main thing to consider though is whether or not you're happy to risk losing it. There's a chance that it's going to end up being unwearable, so is that a chance you're willing to take?? If so then go boil that ?? (What is it??)