How to Shrink a 100% Cotton T-Shirt

If your t-shirt feels a little too big, shrinking can be a simple way to get a better fit. Natural fibers like cotton react to heat and water, which makes them easy to adjust at home. The process is straightforward, but it’s important to understand how 100% cotton behaves compared to blends like the Gildan DryBlend 50 cotton 50 poly t shirt.

Why Cotton Shrinks

Cotton fibers expand when woven and contract when exposed to heat and moisture. That’s why a hot wash or dryer cycle makes cotton clothes smaller.

  • 100% cotton tees: shrink the most, often 3–5%.
  • Pre-shrunk cotton: minimal shrinkage, usually 1–2%.
  • Blends like Gildan DryBlend (50/50): shrink much less, because polyester resists heat and moisture.

Method 1: Hot Water Wash and High Heat Dry

The most common approach to shrinking a cotton t-shirt is combining heat and water.

  1. Wash the shirt inside out on the hottest setting.
  2. Dry immediately on high heat.
  3. Check the size after one cycle and repeat if necessary.

This method works best for standard 100 cotton t shirts, but won’t significantly affect blends.

Method 2: Boiling Water Soak

For more targeted shrinkage:

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  2. Turn off the heat and submerge the shirt.
  3. Soak for 5–20 minutes.
  4. Dry on high heat to lock in the shrinkage.

This works especially well if you need to shrink an older tee that stretched out.

Method 3: Spot Shrinking

Sometimes only certain areas — like sleeves or necklines — need adjustment.

  1. Wet the area with hot water.
  2. Use a hairdryer on high heat.
  3. Test fit and repeat if needed.

Cotton vs. Blends: Gildan DryBlend Example

If you’re working with a blend like the Gildan DryBlend 50 cotton 50 poly t shirt, you’ll notice a big difference. Because polyester resists shrinking, the shirt will only tighten slightly. It may shrink by 1–2% at most, but you won’t achieve the same results as with 100% cotton.

 

This makes DryBlend a good choice if you don’t want your shirt to change size. But if your goal is shrinkage, a pure cotton shirt is a much better candidate.

Looking for better-fitting shirts?

Check out our best-selling retro cotton t-shirt here.
 

Cotton vs. Blends: Gildan DryBlend Example

If you’re working with a blend like the Gildan DryBlend 50 cotton 50 poly t shirt, you’ll notice a big difference. Because polyester resists shrinking, the shirt will only tighten slightly. It may shrink by 1–2% at most, but you won’t achieve the same results as with 100% cotton.

 

This makes DryBlend a good choice if you don’t want your shirt to change size. But if your goal is shrinkage, a pure cotton shirt is a much better candidate.

FAQs About Shrinking Cotton Tees

Do all cotton shirts shrink the same?
No. Untreated cotton shrinks more, pre-shrunk cotton shrinks less, and blends shrink very little.

 

Will a Gildan DryBlend 50/50 shirt shrink?
Slightly, but not much. The polyester content prevents significant shrinkage.

 

Can I shrink a shirt multiple times?
Yes, but repeated heat cycles can weaken fibers. Shrink gradually.

 

Can I stretch a shirt back after shrinking?
A little — damp cotton can be stretched, but it won’t fully return.

Final Thoughts

Shrinking a 100 cotton t shirt is easy with hot water and dryer heat. It’s one of the simplest ways to adjust a loose fit. But if you’re working with blends like the Gildan DryBlend 50 cotton 50 poly t shirt, don’t expect dramatic results — polyester stabilizes the fabric, keeping the shirt close to its original size.

 

So if you want flexibility and the ability to adjust sizing at home, choose pure cotton. If you prefer consistency and minimal shrinkage, blended fabrics like DryBlend are the smarter option.