How to Shrink Nylon

Co-authored by Robert Shapiro

Last Updated: November 15, 2021 References

Do you have some nylon clothing that's too big? Nylon is a synthetic material that doesn't shrink easily, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on your too-big nylon clothes. If the nylon is blended with other materials, you can shrink it using a dryer. If it is pure nylon, you may have better luck hemming it down to the right size. Nylon doesn't shrink as easily as cotton, but with a dryer or a sewing machine you can get it to the size you need!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Shrinking Using a Dryer

1
Check if the nylon is mixed with other materials. If it the fabric also contains rayon, linen, cotton, or wool, you can try shrinking it in the washing machine and dryer. If it is pure nylon, it will be harder to shrink. Moreover, it may contract temporarily.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Robert Shapiro
Laundry Specialist
Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.}
- The tag on top of a piece of clothing usually tells you the composition of the fabric by percentage.
- Remember that shrinking will change length and width.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Robert Shapiro
  Laundry Specialist
  Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} If you just want something to be shorter, you should hem it instead.
2
Wash the material in the washing machine. Use the hottest available water setting and the longest wash cycle. If you want to wash the nylon while you shrink it, you can add detergent.^{[3]
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- You can add ½ cup of ammonia to help keep the color.
- If you don’t have a hot setting on the washing machine, boil a pot of water, turn off the heat, and soak the fabric for half an hour instead.
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3
Dry it in the dryer on medium heat. Don’t use the hottest setting, because this might melt the nylon. Run the dryer for about 15 minutes. If you have a long dryer cycle, make sure not to let it run all the way through to avoid over shrinking the fabric. ^{[4]
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4
Check the size and repeat if necessary. The garment may not shrink evenly.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Robert Shapiro
Laundry Specialist
Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} If it has not shrunk enough, repeat washing and drying until it is the right size. You may have to do many cycles, so don't give up after just one! ^{[6]
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- If it is the right size, wash it in cold water in the future to avoid more shrinking.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Hemming Your Nylon

1
Measure to the desired length. If you want to shorten your nylon clothing, try wearing the clothing and marking how much shorter you want it to be with a fabric pencil.
- It might be helpful to ask someone to help mark it for you as you wear the clothing item.
- Leave extra room for hem. A standard amount to leave for the hem allowance is1.25 inches (3.2 cm). ^{[7]
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2
Double-check your measurements and then cut. Use sharp scissors and cut slowly and carefully. Children’s scissors and other dull scissors will often create jagged lines.
- Don’t use scissors that you also use to cut paper. These will be too dull.
3
Fold and iron the hem. Make sure the outside of the fabric is facing down on the table. Then fold the first fold up. This should be half of your total hem allowance. Use a low heat on the iron so you don’t burn the nylon and iron over the hem. Then fold the hem over a second time and iron again. ^{[8]
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- If you don’t want to do a double fold, you can use a single fold hem instead.
4
Pin the hem. Push the pin down through the folds and then back up again. You should use enough pins that the fold can stay without you holding onto it.
- If you put a pin about every 4 inches, that should be enough, though you can use as many pins as you want. ^{[9]
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5
Sew the hem on the sewing machine. Use a sharp needle and a lightweight nylon thread. Set the stitch length on the sewing machine to no more than eleven stitches per inch. Sew all the way down the hem.
- If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can sew it by hand.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is it possible to unshrink clothes?

Kamel Almani
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
Kamel Almani is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Co-Owner of WashyWash, a toxin-free and eco-friendly laundry and dry clean service based in Amman, Jordan. Kamel and his staff at WashyWash use Blue Angel certified and dermatologically-tested detergents. They also combine EcoClean and digital technology to provide an eco-friendly, convenient, and quality cleaning service. Kamel holds a BA in Design from the University of Applied Science, Amman.

Kamel Almani

Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

It depends on the fabric! Some materials can be reshaped with a steam iron or a professional textile tensioning machine.

Warnings

High temperatures may melt the nylon. Do not attempt to shrink the nylon unless you are willing to risk damaging the fabric.

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