Is it possible to shrink polyester in the washer or dryer?
If you have an oversize polyester clothing, you may wish to shrink it. You may shrink it in the dryer or in the washing machine. Heat is the key to shrinking polyester fabric. When shrinking polyester, you don’t need to use any detergent or fabric softener.
Ignore the Care Instructions
Fabric care labels are attached to garments and give advice on how to wash and dry them to preserve the fabric’s quality and colour while avoiding shrinking. If you wish to shrink a polyester item intentionally, you’ll be breaking the label’s directions.
Hot Water Washing
Invert the garment and wash it in a regular-sized load. Pour hot water into the washing machine. The heat is what causes the shrinkage. Because polyester is a form of plastic, it will melt if the water is too hot, making the cloth hard and unwearable. Maintain a water temperature of less than 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a Hot Dryer to complete the drying process.
Immediately after the hot wash cycle, dry the clothing on a high setting. Polyester fabric might melt in the dryer as well, so keep the temperature below 180 degrees Fahrenheit. To help preserve the colour, turn the item inside out during the dryer cycle.