How to Shrink Denim? 8 Methods to Shrink Your Denim Jeans

Stretched-out denim should not be thrown out. Learn how to quickly shrink denim jeans in eight methods.

Comfortable and simple to maintain are blue jeans. To suit almost any fashion preference, they are produced in a variety of styles. Our main complaint about jeans is that they frequently don’t fit us perfectly.

Shrinkage is essential to the ideal fashion statement for those who prefer form-fitting denim jeans. How can you then reduce their size for a better appearance? Here are some suggestions from professionals and fellow jean wearers.

How to Shrink Denim?

The Dryer Method

It’s time to disobey your parents’ warnings and break this housekeeping commandment. They may have warned you to avoid the high heat on the dryer and washer. Learning how to shrink jeans in the washer is the simplest method.

Set the highest temperature and cycle for your washing machine and add your jeans. It’s okay to add powder or softener in this case, unlike the bath technique (below), as it won’t have an impact on how the wash turns out.

Related: How to Wash Denim Clothing Properly?

When that is done, immediately place the jeans into a hot tumble dryer and let them spin until dry. Repeat these steps until you get the fit you need if they’re still not quite right. Overall though, you shouldn’t need more than a few hours to complete this.

The Boiling Method

Yes, it’s accurate to say that some people boil their jeans to make them as small as possible. Use your biggest pot and give this method 30 to 40 minutes.

Put water in the pot until it is halfway full. Make sure the jeans are completely submerged before bringing the water to a boil and adding them. Boil the jeans for approximately 30 minutes.

Using big tongs or a stick, remove the jeans from the boiling water. To handle them with bare hands, they will be too hot. Carry them to your dryer while putting them in a pail. Dry the jeans on a high heat setting in the dryer.

The jeans can also be laid out outside to dry in the sun on a warm day until they are no longer dripping wet. If you want them to dry more quickly, transfer them to the dryer after that.

The Bath Method

Unsanforized (shrink-to-fit) denim is best for this method, which is probably the simplest of the jean-shrinking techniques, but it might feel strange and your flatmates might give you a strange look if you do.

Put hot, soap-free water in the bathtub. Put on a pair of comfortable jeans and enter the tub. After waiting for the water to cool, exit.

Shake off any remaining water after exiting the tub, then wait outside in the sun until they are completely dry and have taken on your shape naturally. You ought to move around and engage in some lower-body exercises, like lunges and squats, during this drying period to stretch out the denim if they feel too constrictive.

Related: Does Denim Shrink? Denim Shrinkage Guide

Use a hairdryer to hasten the drying process if the weather is particularly chilly, or just hang the items out to dry after stretching. It really isn’t worth contracting pneumonia for denim. Although it takes the longest, this technique may be the best for shrinking jeans. Proceed with caution.

The Ironing Method

If you don’t have time to boil water or do a load of laundry, you can use a hot iron to target the areas you want to shrink by wetting the targeted areas first.

1. Any loose areas, such as, should be dampened slightly using hot water., the waistband, knee or thigh area, etc. Dampen is the keyword because you don’t want it soaked.
2. Place the jeans on the ironing board, set the iron to the cotton setting, and quickly run it over any damp areas, being careful not to leave any spots unattended. (Denim Vs Cotton)
3. When they’re completely dry, put them on.

The Wearing Method

It won’t be comfortable, which is why this is one of the last ways listed, but if you’re willing to give it a try, here’s how it works:

1. Make sure to fill a bathtub with hot water that is still warm enough for you to comfortably soak in.
2. Get into the tub while wearing a pair of baggy jeans and make sure they are completely submerged.
3. You can get out of the tub and let the jeans air dry on your body after you’ve felt their shape to your body and fit around your waist.
4. OR (because who has the time to stand in wet denim?) you can gently remove them and put them in the dryer for even more shrinkage.

Raw Denim Method

Raw denim, which conforms to your body as you wear it, is a good option if you’re looking for a more tailored appearance that suits your unique shape. Die-hard denim fans typically favor raw denim, frequently Japanese denim, and they are staunch supporters of the no-wash technique.

According to the theory, the heat of wearing denim along with the oils from your body will result in a truly customized fit.

Move the Button

One frequent criticism of jeans is that they fit everywhere but the waist, where they are frequently too loose.

Of course, this problem can be fixed by wearing a belt. Try shifting or adding a button to tighten the waistline if a belt is not a fashionable option.

Many pairs of jeans feature immovable rivet buttons. However, for tailoring purposes, there are buttons available that closely resemble the appearance of this decorative element.

When to Call a Professor to Shrink Denim?

The methods discussed above all assume that the jeans fit some extent and only need a little tweaking for the ideal fit, so I feel it is only appropriate to point this out. But simple shrinking won’t always work to correct fit issues.

Finding a professional tailor might be necessary for fit issues that call for more than a few inches of adjustment. To achieve the desired fit and look, a tailor can take in the waist or wide legs.

Whether we like it or not, there are far more varied body types and sizes among people than there are among jeans. Seek out a seasoned tailor if shrinking doesn’t work. Purchasing a pair of perfectly fitting jeans might be worthwhile.

Conclusion: Shrink Denim

As I previously mentioned, you might want to think about visiting a tailor for a more long-term fix if, despite trying all these fixes, your jeans still feel too big or baggy. But hopefully, once they’ve shrunk to the perfect size, you’ll experience that wonderful brand-new jean feeling.

Don’t worry, shrinking denim can be done in eight simple ways. Heat is the key component in shrinking them so that they return to their original shape. The jeans that fit you perfectly and have only slightly lost some of their shapes will work best for you.

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