How to Shrink Softball Pants? | Learn the Most Efficient Ways

Last Updated on December 1, 2022

If you have washing experience with clothes, you might also experience the shrinking cloth phenomenon. Yes, it’s disgusting and bothering most of the time. 

But you know, many people, especially softball and baseball players, shrink their pants for a purpose. If you are searching for something like that, here you are going to learn how to shrink softball pants. 

You may follow some primary and effective steps to shrink your softball pants. They may include hot washing your pants, ironing, tailoring, and boiling water washing. 

By the way, here are some pro tips and processes to shrink your polyester pants effectively. No more ado. Let’s jump to the point. 

Why Do Softball Players Shrink Their Pants?

The only reason to shrink softball pants is the fitting problem. People may ask why others shouldn’t other people purchase perfect-fitting pants. Okay, your question is legit. 

But there are people around us who are skinny, and they get the main problem with perfect fitting. Even the tightest pants sometimes do not fit properly. As a result, pants are supposed to be shrunk. 

Aside from this, general people also need to shrink their pants for legit reasons.

So, here we have shown several effective ways to shrink your softball pants with some easy steps. 

Additional Read: How to Get Grass Stains Out of Baseball Pants | 5 Easy Solutions

How to Shrink Softball Pants? – Machine Washing and Hot Drying Process

You must remember that polyester is a sustainable material. They keep their form even in the toughest environment. As softball pants are mainly made of polyester, you have to d it precisely. 

Though the washing machine method is the foremost way to shrink polyester pants, we don’t guarantee it will 100% work each time. But, yes, you will get a significant result. 

Let’s go through the steps by step for the washing machine method. 

Precaution

As we have mentioned before, polyester is the replacement for cotton for extensive use. They are highly sustainable and absorb more sweat than cotton. 

You might find in the pants level not to wash the pants with extremely hot water. Otherwise, the pant’ color might be faded. As we are going to use the hottest water washing, you are going to violate the manufacturer’s instructions. 

So, do it at your own risk. 

Step 1- Turning Inside Out the Pant

As I mentioned above polyester is prone to fade, turn the pant inside out to reduce the chance of fading. Make sure you have done this before putting the pant into the washing machine. 

Also, don’t wash more than one pant at a time. It’s highly recommended. But if you lack time, you can put two pairs of pants at a time inside the washing machine. 

After getting your pant ready, put it in the washing machine. Either you can use a mild detergent or not. Not because you are just shrinking your pant, not actually cleaning. It’s already clean. 

As a side note, ensure that the temperature setting on your washing machine is at its maximum possible point. Check that you have the water at its boiling point ready. 

It is not recommended that you wash the pants at temperatures lower than 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). Also, though you are asked to use the hottest setting, this will not be over 110°C/230°F in your machine. 

Prepare the machine for the toughest wash possible by selecting the longest cycle and the hottest water temperature. After you’ve washed your pants in hot water, you should also rinse them in hot water.

Foot Note: The temperature is the main catalyst in terms of shrinking. So, make surer you are using the temperature as per the suggestion. 

You may also like: How To Clean White Baseball Pants | 8 Ways On DIY Stain Removal 

Step 3- Dry the Pant at the Hottest Drying Setting in the Dryer

After giving the pants a wash and a rinse in the warmest water possible, it is now time to hang them out to dry in the warmest air possible. Make sure you’re not running behind schedule when you move the pants into the dryer. 

Be careful to choose the setting that dries at the highest possible temperature. It’s possible the highest temperature may reach 80 degrees Celsius. But don’t overhit the dryer. Don’t change the pant’s orientation. Keep it inside out. 

Step 4- Check the Pant If Shrunk

Remove the pant from the dryer after it has reached the desired level of dryness. Just let the pants air out. Maintain the temperature of the room in order to chill it. After it has cooled, check to see whether the pant has shrunk.

This should have been successful. You have the option of carrying out the operation once again if the amount of shrinkage achieved does not meet your expectations. But don’t overdo it. This may-

• Fade the color entirely if you repeat the hot washing multiple times. 
• Also, you can consider an iron method to shrink more as an additional way. 

See Also: How To Wash A JanSport Backpack Properly

How to Shrink Softball Pants? – Machine Washing and Ironing Method

The washing machine and ironing process is almost the same as the previous one. Here you have to use iron instead of hot drying. So, before the ironing, the process is-

1. Wash your polyester pant in the machine with the highest mark of hot water it allows. 
2. After finishing the washing cycle, transfer the softball pant to an ironing board as soon as possible. 

The Ironing Process

After placing the pant on the ironing board, cover it with a pressing cloth and continue ironing it. Ensure that you completely cover it up. The pressing cloth will protect your fabric even from the ironing that is the most severe.

• As a side note, the appropriate temperature range for the iron is low to medium. A higher heat setting might result in polyester that is more rigid in the end.
• Put some pressure on the fabric with the iron, and then run it all the way over the pant. Continue until the pant is completely dry.
• It is suggested that you use a dry iron. It will deliver the precise impact of striking that you are looking for.

Check for Shrinkage

After completely drying the pant, the pant should be shrunk now. As you have already applied some extensive activities, don’t use the ironing process more than once. It’s risky for the pant’s state.

Along with color fading, excessive iron heat will damage the pant. Check the pant got it’s required shrinking already. 

How to Shrink Softball Pants? – Tailor the Pant From a Professional

Aside from the hot washing and ironing method, you also can shrink your pant by professionally tailoring them. Since the polyester is not typical cotton, the sewing area might be faded during the sewing. That is why we don’t suggest this initially. 

But, you can take help from a professional who is an expert on it. Also, this will cost you a little more money to do it. But if the budget is not an issue, you can go for it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you shrink polyester softball pants?

The most effective method to shrink your softball pant is to wash them with extremely hot water. So, machine wash is recommended. Manually washing with hot water might be dangerous. 

2. Should softball pants be tight or loose?

In simple words, pants should be snug fit. Too tight or too loose will give an uncomfortable feel. The snug fit will help you to relax and play your best in the game. 

3. How much can you shrink pants?

It’s an important fact to know how far you can shrink your softball pants. Okay, you shouldn’t expect more than 3 to 4% of shrinkage of your pants. 

Final Note

As shrinking takes a little complex process, you should learn how to shrink softball pants very well. Hot water may cause damage to your skin. So, ensure you take the proper safety measures before washing your pants. 

Also, check the shrinkage state after a single process is completed. Make sure the pants aren’t losing their color. Also, too much heat might also damage the pant’s tamper. So, make sure you do it carefully. 

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