Has your swimsuit become too big, leaving you feeling less than confident at the beach or pool? Trust me, I’ve been there! Thankfully, I’ve learned a few tricks over the years on how to shrink a swimsuit quickly and effectively. In this guide, I’ll share these secrets with you, so let¡¯s dive into the nitty-gritty details to make sure your swimsuit fits perfectly again.
Method #1: Hot Water Soak
Step One: Fill a sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup of table salt.
Start by giving your swimsuit a saline soak. Salt helps to tighten the fabric fibers. Simply fill a sink or bathtub with lukewarm water¡ªapproximately 2-3 liters is ideal¡ªand add 1/4 cup of table salt. Stir until the salt dissolves.
Step Two: Submerge your Lycra swimsuit in the saline solution and let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
Place your Lycra swimsuit into the saltwater bath. The salt solution facilitates the contraction of the fabric, giving back its snug fit. Ensure the swimsuit is fully submerged for 10-15 minutes.
Step Three: Rinse your swimsuit in lukewarm water and then gently wring it out.
After soaking, rinse your swimsuit in lukewarm water to remove excess salt. Gently wring it out, taking care not to overstretch the fabric.
Step Four: Place your swimsuit in the dryer on the lowest heat setting and let it tumble dry for 10-15 minutes.
Finally, pop your swimsuit into the dryer on the lowest heat setting. Let it tumble dry for about 10-15 minutes. The heat will further help shrink the fabric, giving you that perfect fit.
Method #2: Machine Wash and Dry
Step One: Fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water and add 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
In this method, vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener and shrinker. Fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water (around 3-4 liters) and add 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
Step Two: Submerge your swimsuit in the vinegar solution and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Immerse your swimsuit in the vinegar solution. Allow it to soak for 30 minutes. The vinegar will help tighten the fibers.
Step Three: Remove your swimsuit from the vinegar solution and rinse it thoroughly with cold water.
Take out the swimsuit and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to get rid of the vinegar smell and any residual substances.
Step Four: Wash your swimsuit in a washing machine on the delicate cycle using cold water.
Place your swimsuit in the washing machine, setting it to the delicate cycle, and use cold water. This will ensure it¡¯s clean and help further the shrinking process.
Step Five: Hang your swimsuit up to dry or lay it flat on a towel to air dry.
Instead of using a dryer this time, hang your swimsuit or lay it flat on a towel to air dry. This will help maintain the new size without additional stretching.
Method #3: Boiling Water
Step One: Fill a sink or large basin with cool water and add 1/4 cup of table salt.
This method is useful for quick and effective shrinking. Start by filling a sink or large basin with cool water and add 1/4 cup of table salt. This step preps the swimsuit fabric.
Step Two: Submerge your swimsuit in the water and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Immerse your swimsuit in the saltwater solution and let it soak for 30 minutes. This begins the shrinking process by tightening the fibers.
Step Three: Remove your swimsuit from the water and wring it out.
Take your swimsuit out of the water, and gently wring it out to remove excess water.
Step Four: Place your swimsuit in the dryer on the lowest setting and let it tumble dry for 10 minutes.
Put the swimsuit in the dryer on the lowest setting and dry for 10 minutes. The heat helps to further shrink the fabric.
Step Five: If your swimsuit is still too big, repeat steps three through five until it is the right size.
If you find the swimsuit still a bit loose, repeat steps three to five. This helps to achieve the desired fit incrementally without damaging the fabric.
How to Shrink Different Fabric Types
Two Types of Swimsuits and How to Shrink them (Polyester & Nylon)
Understanding the material of your swimsuit is essential since different fabrics react differently to shrinking methods. Two common swimsuit materials are polyester and nylon.
What is a Polyester Swimsuit? How do You Shrink it?
Polyester swimsuits are durable and resistant to chlorine. To shrink polyester, soak it in hot water and follow up with a low-heat tumble dry. The heat combination will help tighten the fabric fibers.
What is a Nylon Swimsuit? How do You Shrink It?
Nylon swimsuits are stretchy and comfortable. To shrink a nylon swimsuit, use a hot water soak followed by air drying. Nylon is more sensitive to heat, so air drying will help maintain its shape without overstretching.
How to Shrink a Swimsuit using Ironing
Iron Method
For quick touch-ups, you can use ironing:
- Place your swimsuit on an ironing board with a thin cloth on top to protect it.
- Set the iron to a low heat setting.
- Iron gently over the swimsuit in small sections.
This method works best for slight adjustments and maintaining fabric integrity.
5 Steps to Shrink a Swimsuit using a Dryer
Using the Dryer to Shrink One Pieces, Bikini Tops, & Bikini Bottoms
Here¡¯s a quick step-by-step guide to using a dryer:
- Wash the swimsuit in a cold water cycle.
- Place it in the dryer on the lowest heat setting.
- Check the fit every 5 minutes to avoid over-shrinking.
- Once the desired size is achieved, remove the swimsuit.
- Lay it flat to cool down and set the size.
This method works well across different types of swimsuits including one-pieces, bikini tops, and bottoms.
Other Methods to Shrink a Bathing Suit
Other methods include:
- Sun drying: Lay your swimsuit under direct sunlight for natural shrinking.
- Steam treatment: Use a garment steamer to shrink the suit gently.
Tips to Keep in Mind
To prevent over-shrinking and damaging your swimsuit:
- Avoid high heat settings.
- Always check the fit incrementally.
- Use protective measures like cloths when applying heat directly.
The Importance of Care
Consistent care extends the life of your swimsuit. Always rinse it in cold water after swimming, avoid frequent high-heat drying, and store it in a cool, dry place.
Final Thoughts
Shrinking a swimsuit fast doesn¡¯t have to be a daunting task. Whether you prefer boiling, hot water soak, or using a dryer, there¡¯s a method that can suit your needs. Remember to pay attention to the material of your swimsuit for the best results. Happy swimming!
FAQ
How do you make a swimsuit smaller?
Submerge it in hot water with salt for 15 minutes, rinse, and tumble dry on low heat.
Do swimsuits shrink in the dryer?
Yes, especially when using the lowest heat setting.
How to fix swimsuit bottoms that are too big?
Try soaking them in a hot water and salt solution, then tumble dry on low heat.
Does boiling a swimsuit shrink it?
Yes, boiling water can cause the fibers to tighten and shrink.
