How to Shrink Stretchy Jeans

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 6, 2021

Few things are more comfortable than your favorite pair of jeans. Over time, however, their snug fit can start to sag from regular use. You may need to shrink only a section of your jeans, or you might want the whole pair to go down a few sizes. Whatever your need may be, there are several ways to shrink your jeans down to the size you like them.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Washer and Dryer

1
Place the jeans inside the washing machine. It will not matter if your jeans are dirty or already clean. If you plan on putting other clothes in with the jeans, be sure that they can handle high heat.
2
Select the highest temperature option and fastest cycle rate. High temperatures cause the cotton in the jeans to restrict and shrink the fabric.
- You can use fabric softener and detergent as normal. They will not affect shrinkage of the jeans.^{[1]
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3
Remove the jeans from the washing machine. For the best results, take out the jeans as soon as the cycle ends while they are still hot.
4
Place the jeans in the drying machine. If you are planning on drying other clothes with the jeans, make sure they can handle high temperatures. The drying process will cause considerable shrinkage with most types of fabrics and many kinds of clothing should never be dried at a high temperature.^{[2]
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5
Set the drying machine to its highest temperature mode. The hotter you can get the dryer, the more the wet cotton in your jeans will shrink.
6
Remove the jeans when the dry cycle ends. Check that the jeans are thoroughly dry. Sometimes jeans can retain a lot of moisture and might need another dry cycle. If your jeans are even slightly damp, you should repeat the dry cycle.
7
Try on the jeans to test their fit. Button them up and move around to gauge if your jeans have a comfortable fit. If you want to shrink your jeans further, repeat the process until they suit your needs.
- Repeated washing and drying on high heat may damage some jeans or cause their color to fade. The process also uses considerable water and electricity. If you are on a budget or want to conserve energy, this may not be your ideal option.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Taking a Bath in Your Jeans

1
Fill a bathtub with very hot water. The hotter the water, the more the jeans will shrink. Test the water with your hand or foot to make sure it is not too hot for you to sit in.
2
Put on the jeans that you wish to shrink. Make sure to button them up to ensure that the waistband will fit. If metal rivets touch your skin, you should separate them with a thin piece of cloth to avoid burns.
3
Sit in the tub with your jeans on. Try not to move too much. Remain seated in the tub until the water has cooled. ^{[4]
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- Remain soaking in the tub for at least 30 minutes for the greatest effect.^{[5]
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- Consider bringing something good to read or listening to your favorite music while you soak. Just make sure you keep your electronics away from the tub!
4
Stand up after the water is cool and allow yourself to drip-dry. Stay in the tub as it drains, allowing most of the water to drip out of your jeans. Once most of the water has dripped out of the jeans, get out of the tub and use a towel to lightly dry them.
5
Wear the wet jeans until they have completely dried. Try to remain standing for as long as possible to avoid stretching the denim. Once dry, your jeans should be form fitting.
- Sitting in the tub with jeans on and walking around in wet pants certainly isn't the most comfortable activity. This method, however, is the best for making the jeans form fitting while avoiding potential damage to the fabric. If you have expensive jeans or are worried about discoloration or shrinking your jeans too much, this is the method for you!

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Boiling Denim

1
Fill a large metal pot three-quarters full and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Allow the water to boil for roughly 10 minutes.
- Make sure the pot you choose is large enough to fit your jeans and the water. You can test this out before bringing the water to a boil by placing the jeans in the pot with water and then removing them and any excess water.
2
Place the jeans in the boiling water. Turn the jeans inside out before placing them in the water to help prevent fabric damage or discoloration. Make sure the jeans remain fully submerged in the boiling water. Allow the jeans to boil for approximately 30 minutes.^{[6]
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3
Dry the jeans in a drying machine. Use the highest temperature setting available.
- For the best results, put the jeans in drying machine immediately after removing them from the boiling water.
4
Remove the jeans when the dry cycle has ended. Check the jeans for moisture and repeat the dry cycle if you discover they are still damp.
5
Try on the dried jeans to determine if you like the fit. Button them up and move around to ensure they are comfortable. If the jeans need to shrink further, repeat the process again.
- Boiling jeans will result in greater shrinkage than any other method. This can be perfect if you need your jeans to shrink a lot, but it might be too much if you want to shrink your jeans a little.^{[7]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Shrinking Specific Areas

1
Mix hot water and fabric softener in a spray bottle. Use three parts hot water and one part fabric softener for your mixture. The hotter you can get the water, the more effective this technique will be.
- Avoid using boiling water in most plastic spray bottles. This could warp the plastic unless the material is designed for heat resistance.
2
Spray the section of your jeans that you want to shrink. Continue to spray the targeted area until the section of your jeans is thoroughly soaked. Spray the targeted area quickly before the mixture cools down.^{[8]
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- If you only wish to shrink your jeans’ waistband, you can sew elastic along the rear-interior belt-line. Cut a strip of elastic into a segment roughly 6 inches (150 mm) long and pull it tightly across the inside of the rear waistband. Starting in the middle of the strip, use zigzag stitching to secure the stretched elastic to the jeans' waistband. ^{[9]
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3
Place the jeans in a drying machine. If you need to dry other clothes, make sure that they can handle high temperatures.
4
Select the hottest setting for your dry cycle. The hotter you can make the dryer, the more the wet section of your jeans will shrink.
5
Remove the jeans when they are dry. Check the area you sprayed to make sure it did not retain any moisture. If the jeans are still damp, put them in the drying machine for another cycle.
6
Try on your jeans. Test the fit to make sure it is to your liking. If the targeted area needs to be shrunk further, repeat the process as necessary.

Warnings

Check the fabric composition before applying extreme heat. Spandex, Lycra, Elastane, and polyester blends can be damaged from boiling and could leave you with ruined jeans.

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