- Fashion, Tailoring and Alterations
Learn how to shrink your oversized hoodie.
Tall Paul
August 30, 2022
Welcome to our article on how to shrink a hoodie.
There are many reasons to want to shrink a hoodie. However, if you’re looking this up because the hoodie you ordered online was too big (tall men’s hoodie perhaps?), send it back and get the clothing company to send you the proper size.
Anytime you add heat to fabric to alter its shape, the overall life of that piece of clothing will shorten. Also, shrinking your hoodie will not give you an exact outcome you can be sure of.
It may come out perfect.
It may come out 1-2 sizes too small.
It may come out with the right fit on your shoulders but an extra shortened and billowy waist.
Only attempt to shrink your hoodie if it has put in some solid years for you leading up till now or is a hand-me-down that needs some work to be of use to you. If the hoodie was bought with a pair of sweatpants, there are some small tweaks when it comes to shrinking sweatpants.
Let our other articles help you shrink the specific piece of clothing you desire.
- How to shrink joggers
- How to shrink jeans
- How to shrink a t-shirt
- How to shrink a shirt
- How to shrink shorts
Table of Contents
Supplies & Tools:
- Boiling water
- Washing machine
- Dryer
How To Shrink A Hoodie
Total Time: 1h 30m
Cost: 0$
Below you will find two ways to shrink your hoodie at home. Please pay attention to the fact that heatis a critical factor in both processes.
With this knowledge, gauge the temperatures you will use for the shrinkage you want to achieve
1. Review the tag
Review the tag on your shirt for specific washing instructions. If the tag tells you to wash your hoodie in cool water, you can wash it in warm water to shrink it. If the tag tells you to clean the hoodie in warm water, then you can shrink it in hot water.
2. Submerge in hot water
First, try washing your sweatshirt in hot water to shrink it. Put your sweatshirt in a clean sink, and run hot water over the hoodie for 5-10 minutes. Check the size once the hoodie has cooled to room temp.
3. Place in boiling pot
If the hot water didn’t work, put a pot of water on to boil. When your water comes to a boil, cautiously put in the hoodie, add the lid, and then turn off the heat.
4. Washing machine on hot
Select the hot water setting on your machine. After you’ve soaked your hoodie in hot/boiling water, put it in the wash. You can wash your hoodie with other garments you want to shrink. Select the appropriate load size, and pour in 1 cap full of laundry detergent. After the hoodie is washed (how long does a washer take?), check the sizing before you put it in the dryer (learn how to use a dryer).
5. Dryer on hottest setting
Use the hottest heat setting if you want your hoodie to shrink more in the dryer. If you don’t want anymore shrinkage use the tumble dry low setting or dry it without a dryer.
6. Try on hoodie to see fit
Try on the hoodie when the dryer is finished to see how it fits. Some brands may tell you to wait till it’s room temperature, but we all know a warm hoodie out of the dryer is the best feeling!
Once your hoodie is dry, don’t chuck it onto the floor at the corner of your room. Fold your hoodie or hang it up.
While you’re addressing your hoodies size, use our other guides to always have a perfect fitting and looking hoodie.
- How to Tie Hoodie Strings
- How to Put String Back in Hoodie
- How to Make a Hoodie Bigger
- How to Keep the Inside of a Hoodie Soft
How to shrink a hoodie: quick tips
- Submerge in boiling water:If you want to shrink your shirt 1 size, leave it in the water for 10-15 minutes.
- Submerge in boiling water:If you hope to shrink your shirt 2 sizes, let it cool to room temperature.
- Submerge in boiling water:Do not do this if washing a polyester sweatshirt. Polyester should not be heated above 178 °F (81 °C).
- Submerge in boiling water:Another way to do this is to put your hoodie in the sink and pour boiling water over the top of the hoodie. Then, let it cool to room temperature.
- In the washing machine: use the longest washing size to shrink the most. Use a normal wash cycle to shrink only 1 size.
- In the washing machine:Hold the wet sweater in front of you and eyeball the size in the mirror. Once the sweater is dry, you can try it on to check the fit.
- In the dryer:If your hoodie is shrunk to your liking, follow the drying directions on your garment tag.
- Cotton easily shrinks, as do cotton and polyester blends.
- Synthetic fabrics like rayon and nylon do not shrink.
- Wool will shrink the most; beware.
How To Shrink A Hoodie With An Iron
Total Time: 1h 15m
Cost: 0$
1. Wet your hoodie with warm water to start the shrinking process
Wet your hoodie with warm water, wring out excess moisture so no water drips off of it anymore.
2. Lay the wet hoodie down on an ironing board
Lay the hoodie down on an ironing board and lay a cotton cloth on top of your hoodie if it is more than 50% polyester.Polyester can easily damage or harden up if exposed to direct high temperatures. You can use a large t-shirt or towel.
3. Shrink your hoodie with the iron on medium
Use medium heat on the iron.If you use a high heat setting, it can burn your hoodie rather than shrink it. Playing it safe with low heat will most likely not shrink the clothing.
4. Apply moderate pressure on the iron ontop of your hoodie
Apply moderate pressure to the iron when in contact with the hoodie.Run your iron across the garment slowly, leaving the iron in 1 spot for no more than 10 seconds.
5. Iron the hoodie until most of the water evaporates away
Iron the hoodie until most of the water evaporates away.If there is steam, you know the iron is hot enough, and you’re doing it right.
6. Once dry, let the shrunken hoodie cool and try it on
Once the hoodie is dry, let it cool for a second, then try it on to see if the sizing is correct.
How to shrink a hoodie with an iron: quick tips
- Using an iron can shrink your clothes up to one additional size.
- If you are ironing a cotton sweatshirt, you do not need a layer of protection.
- If the iron stays in one place for too long, it will burn your sweatshirt.
FAQ
Yes, you can shrink your hoodie in the dryer. First, get it wet with hot water (if you want it shrunk substantially), then use the dryer on high for the longest duration.
To fashionably wear a hoodie that is too big, you can wear a t-shirt that is longer than the hoodie to give it a layer. You can also put on a baggie pair of jeans or sweatpants to compliment the baggy hoodie.
Written and reviewed by
Tall Paul
Paul Marlow, standing at an impressive 6'7 (201cm) and weighing 225lb (102kg), is a mental health speaker, fashion expert, and ex-athlete who excels at helping tall men find well-fitting clothing and teaching them how to style it effectively. As a model in the fashion and film industries, Paul shares his expertise in tall men's fashion, offering valuable advice on measurements, tailoring, and alterations. In addition, he founded Never Alone, an organization that provides mental health and therapy inspiration, and started the Mental Growth Newsletter to support those facing mental health challenges, drawing from his own experiences.
