Shrinking and Stretching

Cotton clothes can sometimes shrink, but if you take care, quality cotton will stay like new for a lot longer.

Cotton Contributor

Cotton Contributor

Outthinking shrinking

If your clothes seem to get smaller and smaller every time you wash them, try taking them out of the dryer while they’re still damp and air-drying the rest of the way. It can make a big difference with preventing teeny, tiny tops.

Stretch, recover, repeat

It takes 48 hours for spandex to recover from a good stretching. So, after you wear cotton/spandex clothes like bras and skinny jeans, hang them up to shrink ‘em back to size.

Get your jeans in shape

Just because your jeans are bagging in the knees or butt doesn’t mean they belong in the hamper. Get back to a good fit by wetting them with some water or spray fabric softener and toss them in the dryer.

How to unshrink a t-shirt

1. In a sink, soak your shirt in warm water with three tablespoons of hair conditioner for five minutes.

2. Stretch your wet shirt out on a flat surface to the desired size and keep it in place with household weights such as heavy jars or cans.

3. Leave it out to air dry.

Explore more of the The Thread

Get the latest news, plus helpful information and advice from 
the experts.

View All

2025 Cotton Holiday Gift Guide: For Her

A curated selection of thoughtful gifts made from 100% natural cotton…

How to Unwrinkle Clothes Without An Iron

No one likes to spend time ironing, which is why we compiled some of our best alternatives. Most cotton clothes don’t need ironing, but if they do, try these tips and t...