How to Shrink a Polo Shirt

Polo shirts are collared short sleeved shirts most often made of either mesh or soft pima cotton. Sometimes there is polyester added to prevent wrinkling. Polos can run in men's, women's and children's sizes. Most polos are to be washed in like colors in cool warm water. A generic soap is adequate unless you have white polos that need bleaching. If you have purchased a polo that is too large and baggy, there are ways to shrink the polo to fit you better.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Washer
• Dryer
• Detergent

1. Read the washing instructions on the back of your polo.

2. Determine what material your polo is made of. Most are made of cotton or a cotton and polyester blend. Pure cotton polos will shrink much more than a blended polo.

3. Turn on the washer to the hottest setting available. Pour in the amount of soap recommended on the bottle of detergent.

4. Wash and rinse the polo in the hot water and immediately put it into a dryer set on the hottest cotton setting.

5. Pull the polo out of the dryer and let it cool. Try on the polo and check to see if the shirt has shrunk.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase all-cotton polos if you want a polo that will shrink the most.
• Read all washing instructions before washing any polos. If you are washing a dark or brightly colored polo in hot water, the color may bleach into the water so make sure you wash it alone without other articles of clothing.