How to shrink clothes in the dryer

Laundering clothes can be stressful. Without reading the tag, it’s all too easy to wash and dry pieces on the wrong settings, which can transform the way they look, feel, and fit.

Hot water can make dark dyes fade, while cold water is said to be less effective than warmer temps when it comes to rinsing viruses out of garments (though, this is still up for debate); and while a normal cycle works perfectly well on, say, jeans and tees, it can be too rough for delicate items like lingerie and silk.

How to shrink cotton clothes

Knowing how to wash your clothes is the key to avoiding any unwanted changes, but also if your goal is to alter your items in the wash, understanding the effects of different washing methods comes in handy. Ahead, we spoke with two fabric experts to get their best tips on how to shrink clothes at home, complete with fabric considerations, precautions, and four methods you can try.