Use a small amount of gentle, bleach-free detergent. [5] X Research source Check on your garment every few minutes by stopping the cycle and pulling it out – it may shrink more quickly than you expected. If so, you’ll want to pull it out before the cycle is over. [6] X Expert Source Susan StockerCleaning Professional Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
Make sure the water is lukewarm. Spraying your garment with water that’s too hot could cause it to shrink to a smaller size than you intended. [11] X Research source
Once again, check on it every few minutes – you can pull it out if it’s shrinking too quickly. [13] X Research source
Avoid twisting or bunching the fabric while swirling - it could lead to permanent damage.
Your garment should be submerged for between 5 and 10 minutes overall.
Again, be sure not to twist or bunch the garment while you’re drying it. This could damage it or reshape differently than you had originally intended.
If there is a specific part of the garment you want to shrink, push the fabric inward in that area only. If you want to shrink the entire sweater, repeat this action across its entire surface area.