How to Shrink Spandex

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References

Spandex is a great choice for clothes that are form-fitting for fashion and sports. But unfortunately, it can become stretched out over time. This saggy, stretched out Spandex is neither fashionable nor functional! To restore your Spandex to its original fit, you can try shrinking it at home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Shrinking Your Spandex in the Washing Machine

1
Read the clothing care label carefully, paying attention to the other fabrics listed. Many garments are made of a blend of fabrics. Depending on the blend, the shrinking process will be less effective. Most garments made with Spandex will recommend washing in lukewarm water and air drying. In order to shrink them, you will need to wash them on a higher temperature setting.^{[1]
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- Natural fibers, such as cotton, tend to be more prone to shrinkage than synthetic materials, such as Spandex.^{[2]
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2
Turn your garment inside out. Washing fabrics with hot water can fade the color. Turning your garment inside out can help to lessen this effect.

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3
Place your Spandex in the washing machine and set it to its hottest setting. Spandex does not shrink under normal wash conditions, so you'll need to use the hottest setting. This is often the setting for "heavy duty."^{[3]
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- You do not need to use detergent unless you also want to clean the garment.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Drying Your Spandex in the Dryer

1
Transfer the Spandex into a pillowcase. Placing the Spandex in a pillowcase prevents it from become unnecessarily stretched during the dryer cycle.
- Tie a knot in the top of pillowcase to make sure it doesn't come out.
2
Place the garment in the dryer on the highest heat and longest cycle. The high heat and vigorous tumbling while it dries will shrink the garment even more. You should select the "heavy" setting if your dryer has one.^{[4]
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Try on the garment to see if it is the desirable size. Wait an additional 15 minutes after the dryer cycle has stopped before taking the Spandex out of the dryer. This way it will have time to cool so you do not burn yourself. If the garment has not reached the desired size, repeat this process.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

Question

Does polyester shrink?

Spaceship

Community Answer

No polyester does not shrink. The polymer it contains is a man-made synthetic that is resistant to shrinking.

Warnings

Some clothing blends are delicate and dry clean only. You should not attempt to shrink a garment that is dry clean only, as you may damage it.

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Washing and drying your garment at high temperatures repeatedly will wear it out more quickly.

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