How to Shrink a Swimsuit?

It’s easier to make a garment smaller than to size it up. So if you are at the store drooling over the most fantastic collection of pants, but the size feels too large and falls when unbelted, there are ways to improve the situation. Every tailor will fix the piece to fit your size in no more than half an hour; the same with an oversized shirt or a jumper.

Many fashionistas buy clothes that are too big if there is no smaller size at hand and manage the situation later. This habit may become a problem if you buy a piece of clothing whose shrinking potential isn’t that obvious, such as a swimsuit.

The most common bathing suit materials are Spandex, nylon, and polyester. Before we describe the shrinking process to deal with your swimwear, find out which one your costume is made of. The method may differ slightly based on the textile used, and given that some materials are easier to shrink than others, it’s good to know which one typically requires several attempts before it achieves the expected results.

To shrink nylon, Spandex, or Lycra, fill a container with cold water and add a quarter cup of table salt. Let your swimwear soak in it for 15 minutes, take it out, remove excess water, and place it in the dryer on the lowest setting. Rinse your costume gently, but avoid wringing it out. Such a forceful action will stretch the fibers and damage the material. Dry it until your swimsuit has reached the required size.

Polyester is a bit more challenging to shrink. Use warm water instead of cold water, half a cup of white vinegar, and mild detergent. After a 30-minute sinking-in-the-basin session, gently remove the excess water and place your piece in the dryer on the lowest setting. Take it out when the result is satisfactory.

There are a few more risky methods, such as boiling, drying your suit in the dryer on the highest setting, and ironing it. It’s a gamble because high heat shrinks these fabrics faster and stronger, so it’s easy to miss the right moment and end up with a baby suit instead! To avoid damaging your swimwear, following the instructions carefully and repeating the process several times is better than overdoing the heat. You want to shrink the costume but avoid burning, over-shrinking, or damaging your swimming costume head-on.