Do you have a polyester garment that is too big? You have probably heard that you cannot shrink polyester. This is not true. Although polyester is a strong material that is known for resisting shrinkage, you can shrink it. So, how to shrink polyester? Continue reading below to find out how.
What is Polyester?
Polyester is a man-made fabric or textile. It was invented by British Chemist, John Rex Whinfield, in 1941. Polyester is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is created by blending ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, which forms plastic fibres.
What are the Benefits of Fabric Made from Polyester?
Polyester was extremely popular in the 1970s. It was referred to as the miracle fibre. However, many people did not like polyester because it was shiny and looked fake. It also made a loud noise when people walked. Over the years, technology has greatly improved the look, feel, and sound of polyester.
Benefits of Polyester Fabric:
- Extremely durable
- Resistant to many chemicals
- Holds it shape
- Does not wrinkle
- Lightweight
- It is easily dyed
- Easy to clean
- Dries quickly
- Is hard to shrink
Can You Shrink Polyester?
Yes, you can shrink polyester. But it can be a time-consuming process. If you are planning on shrinking your polyester garment, be patient. You may have to repeat the process several times.
Are there Disadvantages to Shrinking Polyester
Yes, there are disadvantages you may experience when shrinking your polyester. Since the fabric is washed in hot water, you may notice fading and/or bleeding. The garment may also shrink too much.
Ways How to Shrink Polyester
There are 3 ways you can shrink polyester. You can use a dryer, a flat iron, and boiling water. Below, I will take you through all three methods.
How Can You Shrink Polyester Using Your Dryer
- Empty the pockets.
- Turn the garment inside-out
- Put your washer on the hottest setting and wash the garment by itself. Use the longest setting. You also want the rinse setting to be hot.
- Once the garment is done washing, immediately transfer it to the dryer. Dry the garment using the hottest heat setting for the longest amount of time available.
- After the dryer has turned off, remove the garment and let it cool to room temperature.
- Check to see if the garment has shrunk enough. If not, repeat the process. Just remember, hot water does cause fading and bleeding. The more times you repeat the process, the more the colour will be affected.
How Can You Shrink Polyester Using Your Iron
- Empty the pockets.
- Turn the garment inside-out
- Put your washer on the hottest setting and wash the garment by itself. Use the longest setting. You also want the rinse setting to be hot.
- Preheat your iron before the garment finishes drying. Set it on medium heat.
- Once the garment is done washing, immediately lay it flat on your ironing board.
- Place a pressing cloth on top of the garment. Do not apply the iron directly to the polyester.
- Run the iron over the top of the pressing cloth until the garment is completely dry.
- Check to see if the garment has shrunk enough. If not, repeat the process. Just remember, hot water does cause fading and bleeding. The more times you repeat the process, the more the colour will be affected.
How Can You Shrink Polyester Using Boiling Water?
- Empty the pockets.
- Turn the garment inside-out
- Wet the garment. You can use hot tap water or run it through the washing machine using a hot water wash and hot water rinse.
- Find a large pot that will be big enough to boil your garment with a little extra room. Fill the pot with enough water to cover your garment. But do not place your garment in the pot yet.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Place the garment in the boiling water. Monitor the shrinkage of the garment. The longer you leave it in the boiling water, the more shrinkage will occur.
- After the garment has cooled to the touch, you can leave it dry naturally or place it in the dryer.
Now that you know how to shrink polyester, give it a try.
Shrinking polyester can take some time. But if you have a garment that is too big, why not give it a try? You can shrink polyester using your dryer, an iron, or boiling water.
If you’ve followed one of the processes above, share with us your experience on our Facebook Page. Also, check out these articles:
We hope you had fun learning how to shrink polyester garments!
