In this guide, we’ll show you some simple and effective methods How to Shrink jeans at Home and give them a new lease on life. It’s common to have jeans that don’t fit well anymore. Maybe they got creased from sitting too long, or they were always too loose. Sometimes you get them as hand-me-downs. Whatever the reason, your jeans have stretched and you want to make them smaller again.
Shrinking methods for denim jeans usually don’t last forever.
Real denim jeans are made of 100% cotton. They can shrink easily, so you can try to make them smaller yourself. But this won’t last long because denim naturally changes shape and stretches when you wear it. Unless you have a professional tailor adjust them, your jeans will become loose and wrinkled as you move around during the day.
Method 1: Wash and dry on high heat
We usually don’t wash clothes in hot water because they might shrink, but this can be helpful when we want to shrink denim. Abrams suggests putting jeans in the washer and dryer on the highest heat setting to make them one size smaller, or about 1/2 to 1 inch all over. This change is usually temporary, except for the length, so if your jeans are already too short, washing and drying on high heat might not be the best choice.
Method 2: Another way to shrink jeans is by boiling them.
This method is faster and more effective because the hot water causes the cotton in denim to shrink. However, it’s important to remember that shrinking is not an exact science. Even if you boil your jeans for less time, it’s hard to predict how much they will shrink.
Put your jeans in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes to shrink them. Then, dry them on the highest setting in the dryer for the best results.
Method 3: Use different buttons
To make your waist smaller, you can try using different buttons. This is a quick and easy solution that can work well. Just put the new button in a spot that will make your waist feel tighter without changing how the clothes fit in other places.
Frankly ask questions
When to Shrink Your Jeans at Home ?
The amount your jeans can shrink and how long they will stay that way depends on their size and fabric. If your denim is already close to the right size, you will have the best success shrinking it. You can expect to shrink one size down, but if you want a more permanent solution, tailoring is recommended. Shrinking will be most permanent in length, but other areas may stretch out again with wear due to warmth, tension, and friction.
When should you get alterations?
If your jeans have a problem like a loose waistband or saggy back pockets, it’s better to take them to a tailor instead of trying to shrink them yourself. Shrinking just one part of the jeans can be difficult and not work well. The type of fabric in your jeans also affects how well they will shrink. If your jeans have a lot of elastane for stretch, they may stretch out again. Jeans made of 100% cotton will shrink better and stay smaller for longer.
