How to Shrink Shapewear - ShapeWear Clothes

How to Shrink Shapewear? Shapewear can become stretchy and saggy if worn for a long time. Such shapewear may not function as you want. Saggy shapewear is loose shapewear. For shapewear to work perfectly, the garment needs to be your exact fit. Restoring shapewear into its original fit can be challenging, especially for new users. Here is a guide on the most recommended solution for shrinking shapewear.

Shrinking Your Shapewear Using Warm Water.

1. Try on the shapewear to see how large it is

Fitting the shapewear will help you determine how loose the elastic is or the length of material sagging from your body. Well-fitting shapewear should be comfortable around your hips, thighs, and legs. Note that:

Old shapewear or one which has been washed or dried multiple times may fail to shrink.
If the loose shapewear is new and unused, you can consider returning it where you purchased it. You might get an exchange that fits you better.
Hot water only shrinks some materials. You cannot use hot water to shrink overly-baggy shapewear into a small one.

2. Read the label of the shapewear carefully to know the fabrics used.

Different pieces of shapewear are made using different fabrics. i.e., Most Spanx Shapewear is made using some degree of cotton, Spandex, and silken material. Experts advise that such clothes that are made of Spandex be washed with lukewarm water and air drying. The shrinking process majorly depends on the type and blend of fabric used to make the material. Shapewear that is made of cotton, wool, silk, and rayon is more prone to shrinkage than those made of synthetic materials like Spandex, Polyester, and Nylon.

3. Separate Shapewear from the Rest of Your Laundry

Create a load of laundry containing only the shapewear that you want to shrink. It is not good to mix the whole laundry while shrinking due to certain reasons.

There may be garments that fade, which may affect the other items. Group the shapewear based on their colors, too, start with the bright ones and finish with those of dull colors.
Washing other items that you do not want to shrink in the same warm water may cause damages or unnecessary shrinking.

4. Turn Your Shapewear Inside Out

Washing pieces of clothing with warm water can fade their colors. To avoid this effect, make sure you turn your shapewear inside out.

5. Place the Shapewear in a Washing Machine

A washing machine helps to save on time, especially for people who have loads of shapewear that need shrinking. First, set the washing machine to its hottest setting. In most machines, you will find the setting as “the heavy-duty.”

Start by placing the garments into the machine with some laundry detergent. Use a mild detergent for garments with delicate fabric like silk. Close the door after you are done.
Make sure you set the load size, the water temperature, and the washing cycle to either gentle or delicate.
Press the “start” button to begin the shrinking process. On average, the whole process might take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Materials such as Spandex will not shrink under normal washing conditions, so let them run a full cycle for effective results.

6. Hand-washing Shapewear

This method is mostly used with delicate shapewear, which might be damaged if put in a washing machine. Also, hand-washing conserves water and energy and is particularly a gentle way of cleaning. Below is a short guide on how you can hand-wash your loose underwear.

Put hot water into a basin or bucket and place the shapewear inside.
Let the garments soak for about 2 to 3 minutes to remove stains and dry spots.
Add a detergent if you have any, and leave it to sock again. Since the water is hot, use a spatula to swish the undergarments.
Remove the shapewear in the basin and rinse with warm water.

7. Air-dry the undergarments, then try them on

You can air-dry your shapewear in a closet or put them on a drying rack. The dry shapewear should be noticeably tight when you are fitting in. If it is still loose, you can repeat the process or use another shrinking method.

Drying the Shapewear

1. Place the clean and damp shapewear into a clothes dryer.

This method is mostly used after machine washing or hand washing the shapewear with warm water. Drying the shapewear helps to shrink it further. Note that shapewear made of polyester, nylon, or Spandex may be damaged or creased if placed in a dryer. Also, make sure you rinse any excess water before placing the garments inside the dryer.

2. Set the dryer to the hottest temperature

In your dryer’s temperature settings, set the hottest temperature for a 20 minutes cycle. Twenty minutes is enough for a small to medium laundry to dry completely without causing any negative effects to the fabrics. After 20 minutes, check to confirm that all your garments are dry and there are no damp spots. If there is any, put the garment back into the dryer for a few minutes.

3. Fit the shapewear to see if there is an improvement.

Your shapewear should be significantly tighter than it was. If it is still loose, repeat the process again to shrink it more!

Essential Tips For Shapewear Care

How to Shrink Shapewear?To make the longest and most effective use of your shapewear, wash and wear them as it is required. They may start losing their shape and effectiveness if you misuse them. Get the best results from your shapewear by following these simple tricks.

Rotate several pieces of shapewear throughout your wardrobe to avoid repeating a single piece.
Practice regular washing to make the fabrics contract. This will prevent the shapewear from becoming baggy or loose.
Always use the right type of detergent, depending on the garment’s material. Mild detergents that contain dye, fragrances, and alcohol may harm your shapewear.
It is important to review the material used to make the shapewear. Be mindful to know if the material contains latex or it is a non-latex garment.
Once you successfully shrink your shapewear to the desired size, wash it using warm water often. Pay attention to your shapewear’s fabric content always!