How To Shrink Polyester In Different Ways

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Even though the new trend has brought baggy clothes back, not everyone wants to don such outfits. Especially for those of you who have worked hard on a diet to achieve your dream figure, it would be a shame to lose all that new curve behind some ill-fitted clothing.

Polyester is one such fabric which makes it very hard for you to properly fit an outfit. Unlike most of its contemporaries, it is almost immune to shrinking.

But what if you have found the perfect polyester shirt for an event and it is too big for you? Let us walk you through some handy solutions and tips on how to shrink polyester!

Can You Shrink Polyester?

You might have a polyester garment that is larger than the required size. In that case, shrinking the polyester will do the trick. But does polyester shrink? Or more importantly, can you do that by yourself?

Good news is, you can! Many people think they need some kind of fabric softener or detergent to shrink these garments. That’s not exactly true.

You need heat to shrink polyester. You can get that necessary heat through several sources. While hot boiling water is the most popular source, people also use hot dryer and hot iron to shrink polyester garments. 

Why Do You Need To Shrink Polyester Clothes?

Proper Fitting

It may strike you odd that someone would even look for ways to deliberately shrink their clothing! But sometimes polyester garments need such modification so that they can fit the wearer better. Most of us love flaunting our curves which cannot be done under those roomy spaces. Hence we need to bring its size down!

Recycling Old Clothes

Polyester is one of those rare fabrics which stand the test of time very well. You can invest in a polyester outfit today and you can rely on it even after decades! However, we also need to recycle old clothes from time to time. Shrinking polyester clothing will make this recycling process easier to get through.

3 Ways to Shrink Polyester: Definitive Guide 

1. Shrinking Polyester Using Dryer

If your polyester clothing has pockets, make sure they are all empty. Especially, look for metal objects like coins and clips which tend to get stuck in the dryer. Keep the cash and equally valuable items out of the pockets as well.

Now turn your polyester clothing inside out so that any of its prints or colors on the outside don’t get affected. Put it in the washing machine for a decent amount of shrinkage.

Keep the temperature in check so that too much heat doesn’t mess up its color condition. This is a common error that fades away a polyester item’s original charm since its color starts bleeding.

To prevent this issue, remember to not put multiple polyester items of different colors in the dryer at the same time.

Another trick to make this method more effective is to choose the longest washing cycle. This heat is the main force behind shrinking the polyester fabric. Simultaneously, limit the temperature to 81°C or 178°F so that overheating does not mess up its texture.

Wait a little after the wash cycle ends. When the fabric seems fine to use by hand, put it in the dryer. Go for the highest temperature and the longest cycle available in its setting. Combine the two to get the perfect setup for shrinking your washed polyester item.

When it’s out of the dryer, let it cool down and then check for any shrunk parts. If you are not satisfied with the shrinking, you can repeat the whole process again.

Warning:

We recommend not going for this process frequently. Doing so on a regular basis can dim the color of your polyester garment which will then fade its charm over time. Besides, dryer methods can cause wear and tear in the clothing reducing its overall durability.

2. Shrinking Polyester Using Iron

Before placing the garment under iron, wash it well with hot water in the washing machine. But make sure the temperature is not beyond the optimum range so that its texture is not hampered. Longer washing cycles and hotter rinsing options are recommended.

Now you are all set for some good old ironing!

Prepare the ironing board by spreading out a cloth on it. Lay out the washed and rinsed polyester item here by turning it inside out to protect the designs on outer layer.

Add a cotton cloth on this item where the iron will be pressed. Doing so will prevent the polyester’s texture from getting damaged by the heat. Make sure that this cloth covers the entire area of your polyester garment.

Before beginning to iron, set its temperature to medium or low and avoid using steam. A hotter iron can make the polyester stiff. Press it against the layer of clothing until most of the moisture has escaped the main garment. Apply adequate pressure so that the item begins shrinking under it.

Warning:

The iron must be set at lower temperatures. Otherwise, the resulting damages on polyester will be beyond repair. Additionally, remember to not put the garment in a dryer before ironing. It should be slightly wet when you place it on the ironing board.

Besides, don’t repeat this process even if you don’t get the desired amount of shrinking. Doing so can also lead to its colors fading away and other long-term damages.

3. Shrinking Polyester Using Boiling Water

If your polyester garment is already wet, this method can shrink it effectively. The steps are pretty simple and straightforward. First of all, turn the dress inside out and get the boiling water ready in the meantime.
There is no specific boiling point that will work on all kinds of polyesters. You have to take the garment’s thickness and size into account.

Now put the dress in boiling water so that the hot molecules can break down its polyester fibers.

This can lead to a noticeable shrink in its overall structure. If your garment is made out of a blend of fibers instead of just polyester, this method will bring more success.

The standard time for this method to work is an hour. So keep the dress dipped in the boiling water for this time period if you don’t know where to start.

Warning:

Make sure that you are putting the garment inside hot water using a heatproof utensil. The best option would be a spoon made out of wood which you can use without any worry to submerge the polyester item. The water pot should not be filled all the way up. Just cover half of its entire volume with boiling water.

Shrinking Different Polyester Garments