# clothes shrinking?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-shrinking/128033>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 11, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-shrinking/128033 "2002-09-11T22:22:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![amiable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@amiable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amiable)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-shrinking/128033/1 "2002-09-11T22:22:55Z")

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Hi, I need some input from some geniuses with the common sense I’m lacking (obviously).  
I have a few T Shirts that are great, but happen to be large, and my size is xtra small (mens), I was wondering if there was anything I could do in the wash to shrink them a few sizes, because i love these shirts, I just wish I could wear them. 😕

```
 -amiable
```

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**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-shrinking/128033/2 "2002-09-11T22:36:06Z")

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Not really. Most t-shirts anymore are preshrunk by the manufacturer and don’t really shrink _that_ much. This is because people normally don’t want t-shirts that shrink.

You can try washing them in the washer on “hot”, but I doubt if it’ll really work.

Actually, the thing that seems to shrink my t-shirts is just age–after 500 trips through the washer, they do seem to tighten up a little, but not much.

What’s the matter with wearing slightly oversize t-shirts? Looks fine to me.

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**Author:** ![breaknrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@breaknrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaknrun)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-shrinking/128033/3 "2002-09-11T22:44:05Z")

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**DDG** , there’s quite a bit of difference between L and XS in shirt size.

Hot water and high heat in the dryer will shrink clothes some but usually not more than 1 shirt size difference.  
Beyond that, there’s really nothing more you can do other than having someone alter the shirts. T-shirts aren’t worth the money it would cost so unless you have sewing skills or know someone who does that would be willing to take this on as a project, you’re just going to have to live with it.

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**Author:** ![amiable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@amiable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amiable)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-shrinking/128033/4 "2002-09-12T00:19:30Z")

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you guys are the bestest! but if anyone does have any suggestions or something that just might work, don’ hesitate to talk.