Hey guys, follow one of the two steps below and learn how to shrink a dress shirt. However, I would advise getting your shirt tailored instead of shrinking it at home.

A dress shirt is made from multiple pieces of fabric sewn together, unlike a t-shirt or hoodie. A tailor or seamstress can specifically alter these pieces, so you only change the exact area needed. 

Shrinking your dress shirt will make every single aspect of the dress shirt smaller.

Table of Contents

how to shrink a dress shirt

How To Shrink A Dress Shirt

Total Time: 2 hr 30 min

Cost: $0.53 (one tide pod)

  • Buy Tide Pods for $55

1. Check the fabric of your dress shirt

Being aware of the fabric type your dress shirt is made from will help you to avoid over shrinking or damaging your clothes. Some dress shirts are also “pre-shrunk” which means they have been specially treated during the production process and will have almost no ability to shrink.

this is a photo of tag inside a dress shirt showing 100% cotton

2. Put dress shirt into the wash

Put your dress shirt into the wash with like colored clothing that is light and wont leave any fluffy residue on the dress shirt.

this is a photo of a dress shirt in the washing machine

3. Wash dress shirt on high heat

Set the washing machine to the highest water temperature possible and run the wash cycle for your dress shirt.

this is a photo of a washing machine set to high heat to shrink a dress shirt

3. Remove dress shirt when finished

Once the washing machine has completed its cycle, remove the dress shirt and place it into the dryer.

this is a photo of tall paul removing a dress shirt from a washing machine

4. Dry dress shirt on highest setting

Turn your dryer onto the highest heat setting and run the machine for your dress shirt.

this is a photo of a dryer set to highest setting to shrink a dress shirt

5. Periodically check your dress shirt

Periodically check on your dress shirt to make sure you do not shrink it too much, especially if it is a linen or cotton dress shirt as shirts made from these fabrics will shrink up to 20%.

this is a photo of tall paul periodically checking a dress shirt in the dryer

6. Remove and hang the dress shirt

Remove the dress shirt from the dryer when you have found the right size for you. You can wear it right away or hang your dress shirt.

this is a photo of a dress shirt hanging

How to shrink a dress shirt: quick tips

  • If your washer has that option, it may help to add the extra rinse cycle. This will give your shirt more exposure to hot water, which will help the shrinking process.
  • Agitation – or vigorous motion – will help your dress shirt shrink. Agitation may help some fabrics shrink more than just the heat itself. 

Shrink A Dress Shirt In Boiling Water

Total Time: 2 hr 00 min

Cost: $0

1. Fill large pot with 3/4 water for your dress shirt

Pour water into a clean pot big enough to hold the dress shirt. Fill the pot about 3/4 full with water to submerge the dress shirt. Be sure to choose an old pot that you don’t want to use for cooking anymore.

this is a pot being filled with water to shrink a dress shirt

2. Bring the water to a boil before adding dress shirt

Set the pot on a burner and turn the stove on high heat. Let the water come to a boil. Once boiling, take the pot off the heat.

this is a photo of a pot of boiling water to shrink a dress shirt

3. Add the dress shirt to the water

Put the dress shirt in the water to soak. Use a spoon or tongs to push any part of the shirt that you want to shrink beneath the water – for example, the cuffs, the collar, or the entire thing. Leave it in the water for at least 5 minutes.

this is a photo of a dress shirt added to boiling water to shrink it

4. Carefully remove the dress shirt from the boiling water

Once completed, carefully remove the dress shirt from the boiling water and gently wring the dress shirt out to remove excess water. Use a pair of tongs to take the shirt out, or simply dump the pot into a clean sink. Be careful not to re-stretch the dress shirt.

this is a photo of tall paul taking out a shrunk dress shirt from boiling water

5. Hang dry the dress shirt if shrunk enough

Hang dry the dress shirt or put the dress shirt into the dryer if you want to further increase shrinkage. Allow the dress shirt to dry and repeat as necessary until you achieve a satisfactory level of shrinkage. 

this is a photo of a shrunk dress shirt hanging up to air dry

Shrink a dress shirt in boiling water: quick tips

  • Boiling your dress shirt could cause it to bleed, so don’t try it on a dress shirt you’re very attached to. You can take steps to prevent it from bleeding, like adding a dye fixative to the hot water before you add the shirt.
  • If you want to shrink part of your dress shirt, just put that part in the water and leave the rest out. You could even put the rest in cooler water to prevent the heat from transferring to other areas.
  • Leave it in for up to 20 minutes if you want it to shrink significantly.

FAQ

You can make your dress shirt tight by tailoring it or shrinking it. I suggest you tailor your dress shirt to get the best fitting and looking outcome.

Yes, dress shirts do shrink in the dryer. If you do not wish to shrink your dress shirt, hang it dry.

Yes, you can make a dress shirt smaller. The best way to make your dress shirt smaller is to get it tailored, not shrink it.