How to Shrink Jackets

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: November 20, 2024 References

Maybe you just purchased an amazing new vintage denim jacket and it’s just a bit too big, or you need to adjust a suit jacket to fit perfectly for an upcoming special event. Either way, the fit of a jacket is important to show off your style and taste, not to mention for comfort! Depending on the type of jacket you want to shrink, there are several different ways you can achieve the look you want.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Shrinking Jackets in the Washing Machine

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1
Check the tags of the jacket to see if it is machine-safe and put it in the washer. It is important to make sure the jacket is safe to machine-wash so that you don’t end up ruining the fabric. Keep in mind that not all types of jackets will be easy to shrink in the washing machine.^{[1]
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- Cotton-based fabrics such as denim will be easier to shrink than polyester.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Susan Stocker
  Green Cleaning Expert
  
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- Remember to check the pockets of your jacket before washing it and remove anything left in them!
- Make sure there are no other clothes in the washing machine or you may ruin them.
2
Run the washing machine on the hottest water setting and longest cycle time. You do not need to use detergent to shrink your jacket. Just run the washing machine with plain water.^{[3]
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- Polyester generally takes more exposure to heat to shrink, whereas cotton can shrink after just one wash cycle.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Susan Stocker
  Green Cleaning Expert
  
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- If your jacket is fairly delicate, you can start on a lower setting to test out the effects, and then increase heat or repeat as needed.
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3
Examine your jacket to determine how much it has shrunk. Take the jacket out of the washing machine and hold it up to your body to check the dimensions. Depending on what your jacket is made of, you may need to repeat the wash cycle to get it just right.^{[5]
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- If you are unsure about the size, wait for the jacket to dry and try it on as some fabrics like cotton can shrink more after running them through the dryer.
- After two washes if the jacket has still not shrunk as desired, you may want to try another method to avoid wearing out the fabric.
4
Hang the jacket to dry if it’s the size you want. Wring out the excess water from the jacket before you hang it. Depending on the type of fabric your jacket is made of, washing and hang drying may be all you need to do to shrink it.^{[6]
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- Hang drying is always the safest option for drying your jacket to ensure it does not shrink.
5
Place the jacket in the dryer if you want it to shrink more. It’s best to start on a low heat setting to see how much the jacket shrinks. You can always dry it more on a higher setting later on.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- High heat settings in a dryer can make some fabrics such as polyester or silk look worn out. With these fabrics it is best to use low heat settings in the dryer, or hang-dry them.
Sarah Veblen, Expert Sewist

When altering a jacket to achieve a better fit, patience is key. Avoid over-shrinking delicate fabrics like silks or cashmeres. Check garments periodically as they dry, and stop the heat once the ideal size is reached. For tougher materials like denim or leather, more aggressive tactics can be used. But no matter the method, employ care and precision to preserve the integrity of seams, linings, and embellishments.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Boiling Water to Shrink Jackets

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1
Boil a pot of water large enough to contain your jacket. Remember to leave enough space so that the jacket will fit and be completely covered by the water. Get a wooden or metal spoon ready to help you submerge the jacket.^{[8]
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- It is not recommended to boil a polyester jacket because boiling water can damage the fabric and cause it to lose its shape.^{[9]
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- Remember to be careful around boiling water!
2
Put your jacket in the pot of boiling water and turn off the heat. Roll or fold your jacket to make it fit neatly in the pot. Use a metal or wooden spoon to help you hold the jacket under the boiling water until it is completely submerged.^{[10]
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- Lighter fabrics such as cotton or silk will shrink very easily with exposure to heat. If your jacket is fairly delicate, make sure to turn off the heat right away when you put it in the boiling water.
- Heavy fabric such as denim can take a lot more exposure to heat before it shrinks. If you are working with a denim jacket, leave the heat on for an additional 20-30 minutes.
3
Let the jacket soak in the hot water for 5-7 minutes then remove it from the pot. After the heat is off, let your jacket soak while the water cools down. When the time is up, carefully remove the jacket from the water with tongs or a wooden spoon to avoid getting burned.^{[11]
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- You can always repeat the whole boiling and soaking process and let your jacket sit longer the next time if it does not shrink sufficiently the first time.
4
Hang-dry the jacket or dry the jacket in a drying machine. Once the jacket is cool to the touch, wring out as much of the water as you can. Remember that some fabrics, like cotton, will shrink more than others in the dryer.^{[12]
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- If you aren’t sure how much the jacket has shrunk, you should hang-dry it and try it on, then repeat the process if needed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Tailoring Jackets to Fit

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Find a tailor who can help you get your jacket to fit. Tailors are professionals who alter clothing and many have a specialty such as suit jackets or leather. Call around to tailors in your area to make sure they can work with the jacket you want to shrink.^{[13]
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- Tailoring is the preferred method to shrink a suit jacket so that it fits properly and you don’t ruin it.
- You can also call around and get estimates of the cost to tailor your jacket to find a tailor that suits your budget.
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Take your jacket to the tailor’s shop and take measurements. Explain to the tailor how you would like the jacket to fit and allow them to take the necessary measurements. Tailoring is the best way to get a jacket to fit precisely how you want it.^{[14]
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- Tailors can make very specific adjustments if you just need to shrink a certain part of your jacket.
- Ask ahead of time if you need an appointment and make one if necessary.
- Take notes on your measurements; they could come in handy again someday!
3
Leave your jacket at the tailor’s and pick it up when it’s ready. The tailor should give you an estimate of how long it will take to make the alterations or call you when your jacket is ready for pick-up. Make sure to try on the jacket at the tailor’s so you can see how it fits.
- Remember that tailors are professionals and deal with alteration requests all day, so it is perfectly normal to request further adjustments as needed.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you shrink a down jacket?

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

That's probably going to be a tall order. While wool and cotton are fairly easy to shrink, synthetic fibers tend to be a bit of a pain. I can't imagine you'll be able to shrink it very much in the washer, but you can try if the tag on your coat says it's machine-washable. You may need to get it tailored if you really want it to be dramatically smaller, though.

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