If your new sweater is too big, don't worry! You can shrink the sweater to make it fit better. Try soaking the sweater in hot or boiling water. You can also use the washing machine's hottest setting. If the sweater is still too big after washing and drying in the washing machine, wet the sweater and then iron it. Choose the appropriate method to shrink the sweater to the desired size!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using the Washer and Dryer
Step 1. Check the sweater label for washing instructions and the type of material
Read the sweater label for recommended washing instructions. Some materials will shrink when exposed to heat. However, there are some sweater materials that may not shrink when exposed to heat. If the sweater label advises you to wash the sweater in cold water, use warm water to shrink it.
- For example, cotton and polyester shrink very easily.
- Synthetic materials such as rayon and nylon will not shrink.
Step 2. Wash the sweater using hot water
Place the sweater in a clean sink, then pour hot water to soak the sweater for 5-10 minutes. Wait for the sweater temperature to return to normal, then check the size.
- When you are satisfied with the results, you can wash the sweater as usual.
- If you want the sweater to shrink even more, use boiling water, a washing machine, and/or a clothes dryer.
- To check the size, stick the sweater to your chest and look in the mirror.
Step 3. Soak the sweater in boiling water
If the sweater hasn't shrunk to the desired size after using the hot water, bring the water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Once the water boils, put the sweater in the pot, cover it, and turn off the heat. Boiling water can help shrink the sweater.
- If you want to make a sweater 1 size smaller, let the sweater soak for 10-15 minutes.
- If you want to make a sweater 2 sizes smaller, just let it sit until the temperature returns to normal.
- Do not do this if the sweater is made of polyester. Boiling water will make the sweater rough and stiff. Polyester should not be exposed to temperatures above 80°C.
- Alternatively, place the sweater in the sink and pour boiling water over it. After that, leave the sweater until the temperature returns to normal.
Step 4. Select the hot water option on the washing machine after using hot water
After soaking the sweater in hot and/or boiling water, put it in the washing machine. You can wash the sweater at the same time as other clothes to be depreciated, such as a t-shirt. Select the appropriate amount of washing water, then pour 1 cap on the detergent bottle. After the sweater is washed, check the size before putting it in the clothes dryer.
- For maximum results, choose the longest washing cycle. If you want to make the sweater 1 size smaller, use the normal wash cycle.
- If the clothes to be washed are not too many, pour the detergent bottle cap.
- When checking the size, stick the sweater to your chest and observe the size in the mirror. After drying, put on the sweater to make sure it is the right size or not.
Step 5. Put the sweater in the clothes dryer and select the highest temperature option
If the sweater is still not the right size, use the highest temperature option and the longest drying time. By doing this, the sweater will shrink.
After the sweater has shrunk to the desired size, dry the sweater according to the drying instructions on the label. Most sweaters should be dried with the option of a medium temperature and normal drying time
Step 6. Check the size of the sweater once the temperature returns to normal
After the drying cycle is complete, remove the sweater from the clothes dryer and lay it on a flat surface. Once the temperature returns to normal, put on the sweater to make sure it's the right size.
If it's still not the right size, try using an iron to shrink the sweater
Method 2 of 2: Using an Iron
Step 1. Wet the sweater
If you are not satisfied with the size, wet the sweater with warm water. Squeeze the sweater so it doesn't get too wet, then lay it on the ironing board.
Ironing a sweater can make it 1 size smaller
Step 2. Lay a cotton cloth on top of a sweater made of polyester
Polyester can break or harden when exposed to very high temperatures. Therefore, place the cotton clothes on top of the polyester sweater. You can use a T-shirt or towel to protect the sweater. Do this if the sweater is 50% or more polyester.
If the sweater is cotton, you don't need to protect it with cloth
Step 3. Use medium temperature to prevent the sweater from burning
Turn on the iron and let it heat up. When using high temperatures, the sweater may catch fire instead of shrinking. When using a low temperature, the sweater may not shrink.
Step 4. Iron the sweater with medium pressure so that it shrinks
Place the iron over the sweater and press. Iron the sweater slowly and don't focus on one part of the sweater for more than 10 seconds.
If the iron stays at one point for too long, the sweater may catch fire
Step 5. Iron the sweater until the water evaporates
Since the sweater is pre-wetted, it will emit steam when ironed. This reaction will make the sweater shrink. Once the sweater is no longer wet, it will shrink in size.
