How to Shrink Socks

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: July 28, 2022 References

Washing

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Drying

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Boiling

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Q&A

Most people have owned a pair of socks that they love, and they have all experienced disappointment when those cozy socks stretch out and fail to fit. Maybe they've stretched due to years of wear, or maybe they're new but not quite your size. No matter the circumstance, there are several achievable ways to shrink your favorite socks so they fit perfectly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing

1
Set the washing machine to hot. Most fabrics react to heat by shrinking, so use the hottest setting available for your cotton or wool socks. If you have other laundry that can be washed on a hot setting, add it into the load, too.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- If you’d like to shrink socks made from polyester or another synthetic material, use a cool wash setting instead. Synthetic fibers react differently to heat, so treating them like you would cotton won’t have the same effect!
2
Wash the socks on the longest setting possible. This will make sure the socks have enough time to react to the heat and shrink. To make sure you’re getting the best result, you can check on the socks mid-way through the wash.
- For wool socks, use a slightly shorter wash cycle to prevent over-shrinking.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Susan Stocker
  Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
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3
Remove the socks when the wash cycle is complete. If you aren’t satisfied with the size, try washing the socks again. You can now let the socks air dry, or throw them in the dryer for extra shrinkage.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drying

1
Soak your socks. Getting your socks wet with warm or hot water before putting them in the dryer will help them react to the heat better and shrink more, faster!^{[3]
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2
Set the dryer to the hottest setting for cotton or polyester socks. Use the longest cycle possible to give them enough time to shrink, and check on your socks every once in a while to make sure they are reaching the right size.
3
Set the dryer to a warm setting for wool socks. Wool is most prone to shrinking in heat, due to the structure of the natural fibers, so you don’t need to expose it as much as you will other fabrics to achieve the same result.^{[4]
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4
Remove your socks from the dryer. Allow the socks to cool to room temperature before deciding if you need to shrink them further. If so, try washing and drying them on high heat again until you reach the size you want.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Boiling

1
Fill a large pot about ⅔ full of water and bring it to a boil. For old, worn out socks or pre-shrunk socks, boiling them in water may give you the extra heat you need to shrink them. Make sure your pot of water is out of reach of children or pets to avoid injury.^{[5]
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2
Add socks to the boiling water. Allow the socks to boil for about ten minutes, or longer for a more intense change in size.^{[6]
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- Add an aromatic essential oil, like lavender or eucalyptus, to make sure the smell of boiling socks doesn’t fill your home!
3
Transfer socks from boiling water into the dryer. Using tongs or a spatula, carefully remove the socks from the water and place them in the dryer. Discard the leftover water.
4
Dry boiled socks using the hottest dryer setting possible. After the cycle is complete, remove the socks and let them reach room temperature before checking the size. If you want them to shrink further, try boiling them for a longer time and repeating these steps until you reach the size you’re comfortable with.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I unshrink socks?

Community Answer

To unshrink clothes, soak them in warm water with a couple spoonfuls of conditioner for half an hour. Then, stretch them out and leave them to dry.
Question

Will cotton or polyester socks go back to their original size or will they stay shrunk?

Community Answer

They might get stretched out a little as you wear them, but for the most part they will stay shrunk.