Do jeans shrink after washing: what to choose, synthetic or cotton?

Almost every one of us at least once in our lives has wondered: what can we do to make our jeans fit? As a rule, denim pants stretch with frequent wear and lose their shape over time. However, there are ways to reduce your jeans size by 1-2 sizes. We will talk about them in our article.

What to do to make jeans fit, read our review

Compromise option: “shrinkage with return”

In order not to be too categorical and not to create unpleasant situations for their customers, many manufacturers have made a compromise and created something in between the described options. The resulting jeans are marked RAW SANFORIZED on the label, which means that the fabric has gone through the appropriate stages of sanforization, the essence of which is sequential soaking, steaming and stretching with load. Then the jeans are dried and in appearance are no different from the original material, but their shrinkage is minimal. It appears only immediately after washing, and after an hour of wearing the jeans return to their previous parameters.

Jeans processed in this way are the most popular segment among buyers, since the risk of buying the wrong size is reduced to zero.

Video about shrinking and stretching jeans

How to stretch jeans:

When buying jeans you like, you always want to know in advance how much they will shrink (if at all). This question is especially of concern to those who purchase a treasured pair in an online store. And even if all the required dimensions of the product are known down to the millimeter, the relevance of the issue remains.

The denim used to make trousers is a cotton fabric of fairly high rigidity, and has not undergone any pre-treatment. It was also not soaked, so there is always the possibility of significant shrinkage. What is shrinkage, and what values ​​can it take? Cotton threads have such a structure that, as a result of external influences, they change their density and rigidity, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in the linear dimensions of the entire product.

Modern technologies have taken into account this specificity of denim fabric, so its processing has become almost mandatory. After appropriate manipulations, denim no longer changes its size, and the product, accordingly, retains the original parameters indicated on the label.

Everything would be good and convenient, but for several seasons in a row, products made from “primitive” jeans, which were not processed in any way, began to appear on store shelves (and on the pages of online catalogues). So should you panic when you find out that you bought just such a pair?

No no and one more time no. Before the first use, you must finally make sure that the jeans are made from virgin denim. This will be indicated by the RAW or Unwashed marking on the label. Every store that sells raw cotton has special shrinkage charts that can easily guide and indicate how many sizes jeans will shrink after washing and wearing. This table shows two sizes: initial and after shrinkage.

Features of raw denim trousers

When planning to buy jeans made from virgin material, you need to initially find out one important nuance. Some manufacturers indicate the initial parameters of the product in the dimensions, and the buyer must determine for himself the amount of the required stock; other brands, on the contrary, indicate the size of trousers after possible shrinkage. Moreover, the first option can be found much more often, so you should be extremely careful and add at least another 3 cm to the size of the belt and the length of the product. Then the purchased jeans will fit perfectly.

All this information can be obtained from the “Product Care” section, which is usually available in reputable online stores. If you couldn’t find such information, you shouldn’t rush into making a purchase, but it’s better to first contact an online consultant and clarify everything with him.

For those who truly love raw denim

If the desire to buy trousers made from “real” denim cannot be suppressed by any “counterfeits”, then the shrinking procedure will need to be carried out on your own. To ensure that you have enough knowledge and the result is what is expected, you should use a few tips.

1. Required components:

– a large container in which jeans will fit “full-length” (you can use a bathtub, if you don’t mind);

– water heated to a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius;

- a weight that will prevent the jeans from floating to the surface (plastic bottles filled with water are perfect).

2. Jeans must be carefully placed at the bottom of the container so that there are no folds or creases on them, and pressed down with a weight. They should soak for at least 4 hours, and there is no need to panic if the water becomes colored. This is absolutely normal. Then the jeans are taken out and hung in such a way that water flows freely down them.

3. If after shrinking you cannot fit into your jeans (they have become tight in the waistband), then you can soak the waistband for another hour and then dry it using special spacers. They will give the width the required size.

How to properly wash heavily soiled cotton?

Serious stains on the fabric should first be washed and the item itself should be soaked. Examples of soaking solutions:

• For 5 liters of water 2 tbsp. l. liquid gel or laundry detergent. Keep for 2-3 hours.
• For 10 liters of water 1.5 tbsp. l. baking soda or soda ash. Keep it for half an hour.
• For tulle. For 5 liters of water, a quarter of a bar of laundry soap, keep for 2-2.5 hours.

Soak socks separately from other laundry, rubbing them on the inside with laundry soap. Soak handkerchiefs for half an hour in a saline solution (30 g per liter of lukewarm water). For colored fabrics, do not use laundry soap, soften the water with 1 tsp. baking soda or ammonia (5 liters), leave for 15-30 minutes. When washing chintz or denim for the first time, add 3 tbsp to the water. l. table salt or 5-6 tbsp. l. 9% vinegar per 10 liters of water.

Socks are soaked separately (photo source: Yandex.Pictures)

My jeans shrunk after washing, what should I do? There is an exit!

Perhaps today you cannot meet a single person who does not have jeans in his wardrobe. These trousers are practical, comfortable, go with any outfit and have not gone out of fashion for half a century. However, many people are concerned about the question: do jeans shrink after washing and what to do about this problem.

We can find the answer to the first question by referring to the product label:

• The “Shrink to fit” marking indicates that these jeans shrink greatly once, after the very first wash, and no longer change their shape. If you like these jeans in a store, it’s best to buy them a size larger in advance.
• If you purchased elastic jeans, the unpleasant situation with shrinkage simply will not arise. Rubber elastane threads woven into the fabric will not allow the product to lose its shape.
• classic jeans are usually made from denim, which, like most cotton fabrics, tends to deform after washing. In addition, the material is quite rough and hard, making it difficult to work with. Therefore, you will have to be as careful as possible with such products.
• Also, the features of further operation depend on whether the jeans are boiled or not. “Varenki” are extremely unpretentious and practically do not change their shape after washing.

But solving the second question requires some effort on your part.

Drying correctly

Jeans can shrink even after regular washing if you dry them properly. The main thing is to reduce drying time. If the item dries for a long time, the fibers of the fabric have time to straighten out. Do this:

• place the washed clothes near a heat source: radiators, stoves, or simply lay them out on the street so that the sun's rays fall on them;
• place terry cloth under the product, which absorbs moisture well;
• use an automatic dryer.

To prevent the item from fading from the sun, dry it by turning it inside out. If your pants dry on fabric, take one that you don’t mind, because jeans can fade. When drying on a radiator, it is also recommended to place a thin cloth so that there are no dirty yellow stains left on the product. To reduce only the width of the trousers, hang them on clothespins to dry. Their own gravity will not allow them to become shorter.

How to wash jeans to make them stretch

So, you took jeans out of the washing machine that are a size or even two too small. The situation is unpleasant, but completely fixable. First of all, let's try to increase the size of the jeans by washing them correctly.

• It is best to use ordinary laundry soap rather than washing powder.
• If you decide to wash your jeans in a machine, watch the temperature: the water should not be hotter than 30°C.
• Don't wash your jeans for too long: half an hour should be enough for you.
• Dry items in fresh air or at room temperature. Hot air can cause additional deformation.

Boiling jeans to reduce their size

There is another method that was very popular 30 years ago, and it was used not only to make jeans fit, but also to give denim a modern look.

This method came to us from the 80s, when washed jeans were at the peak of popularity.

To weld jeans you will need:

large saucepan or metal bowl;

• water;
• soap powder;
• jeans.

To ensure your jeans fit:

• pour water into a bowl;
• make a concentrated solution of powder detergent, any of the CHISTOWN powders will do;
• place the pan with the powder solution and the jeans over medium heat;
• cook for about half an hour, stirring constantly.

Then remove the item using tongs to avoid burning yourself and rinse it with clean water.

Important! This method will make your jeans one or two sizes smaller. But at the same time, their color changes to the one that was popular in the 80s. If you do not want the color of the fabric to change, it is better to choose another method.

Stretch jeans that have shrunk after washing

If the method suggested above does not help, you will have to move on to more radical methods. Denim fabric is quite elastic and resistant to mechanical damage, so with some effort, you can stretch the product to the desired size.

1. If shrunken jeans are made from natural materials with very little synthetic added, you can stretch them directly on the body. To do this, put on jeans, wet all problem areas (waistband, lower legs) and move actively. Please note that your movements must have a large amplitude and, at the same time, be quite smooth, otherwise you may tear the product. For best results, do not remove jeans until completely dry.
2. You can also iron the product thoroughly and then put it on. A hot iron will soften the stiff fabric, making it easier to stretch.
3. You don’t have to put on wet jeans, but simply stretch them with smooth movements, holding the waistband with both hands (if the product is tight at the waist) or the area around the knees and ankles (if the legs are too short). Don't forget to pull the seams too, otherwise the fabric may ripple. Many housewives pre-coat the seams with special means for stretching shoes.
4. A steam generator can also help you combat shrinkage: hot steam will soften the fabric and make it more elastic.
5. If the jeans you purchased are very tight and of high quality, you can try using a special waist expander. Freshly washed, damp jeans are buttoned, after which the device is installed in them. It needs to be adjusted to the desired width and only then dry the product. Please note that such an expander can simply tear low-quality jeans.

Unusual drying methods

Once shrinkage methods have been used, all that remains is to properly dry the product to maintain its shape. The best drying method is automatic. Lucky are those who have a dryer at home. It contains programs that allow you to intensively influence the removal of moisture from a thing, while leaving its shape. If you don't have a dryer, you'll have to use unusual methods. The main thing is that any process is carried out in a short time.

The first option: jeans are hung on a rope, any heating device is placed, the heat flow is directed towards the item.

Second: you need to attach a material to the top and bottom that perfectly absorbs moisture. As they get wet, change the fabric to dry one.

Third: dry your jeans on your own body. You also need to use a hairdryer, battery, air heater or natural light. Don't forget to change your body position or move your jeans as they dry.

What to do if jeans stretch after washing

Very often housewives have to deal with the opposite situation: after numerous washes, their favorite jeans become stretched and shapeless. You can correct this situation in the following ways:

1. In most cases, all jeans made from natural materials shrink a little after washing. For maximum effect, wash them in hot water. This method is not suitable for synthetics: the threads will be damaged and the entire product will be deformed.
2. Washed jeans should be thoroughly wrung out and, without straightening, hung next to a heat source. Or dry them in the machine using the most intense drying setting.
3. Situations often arise when only a certain area of ​​the product needs to be shrinked. To do this, mix clean water and fabric softener in a 3:1 ratio. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and thoroughly saturate the problem areas with the solution. Then dry the jeans in the machine at the highest temperature and speed.
4. If none of the above methods help, you can sew the jeans. To do this, determine where exactly the excess fabric is formed; most likely, you will have to make additional stitches in the waistband area, along the crotch seam or in the hip area.
5. Stretched stretch jeans will have to be thrown away: damaged elastane can no longer be restored.

How to wash a cotton hat?

Washing a cotton hat (photo source: Yandex.Pictures)

Hats are more difficult to clean. Systematically clean a summer cotton hat with viscose from dust, shake it once a week, after getting wet, stuff it tightly with wax paper or napkins, hold it over steam and clean off the dirt. Iron with a steamer. Brush a light-colored 100 percent cotton hat with a mixture of 1 tbsp. l. coarse salt, 50 ml of ammonia and 40 ml of vinegar. Clean light fabrics with a mixture of bran and salt in a 2:1 ratio or with laundry soap diluted with water to a cream consistency. For severe contamination, use Vanish. The wrong way is to machine wash it, as the fabric will stretch and the hat will lose its shape.

Quick drying is one of the methods for shrinking jeans.

If you dry your jeans correctly, you can not only shrink them, but also maintain their shape for a long time. There are several ways to dry denim pants:

1. After machine washing, lay the pants on the fabric and wait until they dry. Only this option is suitable in the winter or summer, when the air in the house (or other place where drying is planned) is very dry.
2. Hang washed and thoroughly wrung trousers on a clothesline only so that they are not pulled out.
3. Radiator. A good method, but only in cases where the batteries are clean and have uniform ribs. If the radiator has a complex design with multiple bulges and indentations, then the jeans will also become deformed.
4. Machine drying. The option does not require unnecessary comments and notes; after washing, you just need to select drying in the washing machine menu and wait for the result.

Jeans will only shrink if they have been dried artificially. In the air, the moisture will simply evaporate from them, but the size will remain the same.