Whether you've got a curvy figure or your jeans have stretched out over time, dealing with jeans that gape in the waist can be extremely frustrating.Shrinking your jeans in the wash is an easy way to combat stretched out denim, but figuring out how to only shrink the waist is more difficult.If you want to shrink the waistband of your jeans without having to go to a tailor, there are a few quick ways to get the perfect fit.
Step 1: The water should be brought to a boil.
Put a large pot of water on the stove.The pot should be large enough to submerge your jeans.The time it takes for the water to reach a boil can be reduced by covering the pot with a lid.
Step 2: The waistband should be submerged in boiling water.
Carefully dip your jeans into the boiling water.Make sure you do this slowly.The water could cause a serious burn.The whole pair of jeans should not be submerged in the water.To protect against burns, wear oven mitts.If you are boiling water, make sure to keep the jeans away from the open flame.You don't want your jeans to catch fire.
Step 3: The heat should be reduced and the soup made for 20 to 30 minutes.
The jeans should be draped over the side of the pot and placed on a counter next to the simmering water.Don't let the jeans get in the way of the stove burner.If there isn't a safe place to rest the legs of the jeans, you can fold them over the partially closed lid.The legs should drape in a pile on top of the lid and leave the waistband in the hot water.You can pour the boiling water into a bucket and let your jeans soak away from the stove.
Step 4: Wrap your jeans in a towel to get them out of the water.
Carefully use a pair of tongs to avoid touching the water.Put the towel on top of the waistband.Place the towel so that it can be folded over the jeans.With the jeans resting between two layers of towel, begin pressing to remove excess water until they are dry.You may need to wear oven mitts if the water is too hot.The jeans and towel can be rolled into a log to get more water.
Step 5: It's best to dry your jeans at the highest heat setting.
The jeans should be put in the dryer to dry.The denim fibers will shrink as the waistband dries.Only the part of your jeans that was exposed to the hot water will shrink.
Step 6: Put hot water in the bathtub.
The temperature should be adjusted as high as is comfortable because hot water causes denim to shrink.As the tub fills, test the water temperature with your hand.You want the water to be hot, but not too hot to sit in for a while.
Step 7: While wearing jeans, sit in the bathtub.
If you soak in the hot tub with your jeans on, they will shrink to fit the shape of your body.You need to sit in the tub for at least 20 minutes.Set up a speaker so that you can listen to music while you soak.If you prefer, you can put some reading material near the tub.
Step 8: After you get out of the tub, towel-dry yourself.
As soon as you get out of the tub, you'll need to remove the excess water from your jeans.Wrap a towel around your body and move it up and down the length of your jeans using a patting motion.If you wear a pair of jeans with a dark wash, you may want to consider using a towel that is dark in color to avoid any stains from the dye that comes from your jeans.It is normal for some dye to show up in the tub water.This shouldn't stain your tub.After you wash the tub, wipe it clean.
Step 9: Allow your jeans to dry before you wear them.
Don't remove your wet jeans.You should keep them on while you are hanging out.The jeans will contract as they dry, conforming to the shape of your body.If you're too uncomfortable in your wet jeans, you can let them partially dry.If you remove your wet jeans, make sure to put them back on before they dry completely in order for them to fit perfectly in your shape as they finish drying.It's a good idea to avoid sitting on light colored furniture if you're wearing wet jeans.If your jeans are exposed to hot water, they might shrink slightly.The jeans will not shrink smaller than the size of your body because you will soak and dry them.They will have a form-fitting appearance after they dry.
Step 10: In a spray bottle, mix 1/3 cup water and 1/2 cup fabric softener.
Shake the spray bottle with the water and fabric softener to mix it.You can use any kind of liquid fabric softener.You can choose a scent that you like.The scent will stick around your jeans for a while because you will be spraying it in concentrated amounts.
Step 11: Put the mixture on your jeans.
Carefully spray the mixture onto the jeans that you want to shrink.If you accidentally shrink other parts of your jeans, make sure to only target the waistband.Make sure that the area is completely saturated by spraying it.
Step 12: The highest heat setting will dry your jeans.
The heat will cause the denim to shrink as it dries.If you want to maximize the effect, leave the jeans in the dryer.If the waist stretches back out after a bit of wear, repeat this process again.