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It’s fall, which means jean season is officially here. It’s time to whip out all of your denim. If you’re lucky, your jeans might be a little big on your this year. Or maybe you wore your favorite pair a little too often and they are starting to look a little baggy. Instead of buying all new jeans, there are actually a few ways to shrink your jeans. These tricks are actually a great way to customize the fit of jeans.
There are a few different methods for shrinking jeans. The easiest way to shrink your jeans is to wash them using the hot water setting. The combination of hot water and heavy churning will cause the fibers in your jeans to contract (wikiHow). Be sure to use liquid fabric softener while washing your jeans. The fabric soften will help prevent the jeans from becoming too stiff as they shrink.
Once you’ve washed your jeans in hot water, throw them in the dryer at the highest heat possible. The heat from the dryer will help accelerate the shrinking process by causing the fibers to contract. Air drying will not work if your objective is to shrink your denim.
Note that you might have to repeat the process above a few times to see the results you want. Another method is to “spot shrink” your jeans. This approach is best when you only want to shrink a certain section of your jeans (like the waistband or the thighs). All you need to do is mix 3/4 cup hot water with 1/4 cup fabric softener, pour the mixture in a spray bottle, and shake to combine. Spray the entire area you want to shrink with the mixture. Then, dry the jeans on the highest heat setting. This should work to shrink specific areas of the jeans.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can shrink your jeans by taking a bath while wearing them. Put the jeans on and draw a bath of very hot water (just make sure you can tolerate it). Then hop in the bath while wearing the jeans and soak for at least 5 minutes. Get out of the tub and keep the jeans on while they dry. While this method might sound a little wild, it’s the best way to customize the fit of your jeans so that they fit your body perfectly.
According Bustle, you can also shrink your jeans by boiling them. Yes, boiling them. Get out a large pot and fill it with water. Bring the water to a boil. Turn the jeans inside-out (this will prevent the color from fading) and completely submerge the jeans in the hot water. Leave jeans in the boiling water for at least 30 minutes. Drain the jeans then throw them in the dryer at a high heat. Beware that this method is a more dramatic way to shrink your jeans. Keep in mind that the level of shrinkage will vary depending of the style and wash of the jeans.
For more tips, check out how to keep you Adidas sneakers looking brand new and how to prevent the dye from your jeans from rubbing off on everything.
