Can You Fix Jeans That Have Shrunk in the Wash? 

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is among the trickiest tasks a shopper can face. If you’re lucky enough to have found your dream denim, we’re guessing you’re willing to do whatever you can to keep them in great shape. Unfortunately, jeans have a habit of shrinking in the wash. Over time, they can go from tight in all the right places to just plain tight, especially if you don’t follow the wash instructions perfectly (we’ve all been there). Knowing how to revive your too-tight denim can help ensure you’re able to hang on to your favorite pair a little longer.

One of the most popular methods for stretching denim, as demonstrated by content creator @thetonytrn, entails wearing your jeans in the shower and soaking them completely with warm water. Once they’re saturated, exit the shower and stretch, bend, squat, and pull on the fabric as it begins to dry to help loosen it up. It isn’t the most fun to do, but it works.

If you don’t want to hop around your house in sopping-wet jeans (understandable), there are other approaches you can try. Stylist Becca Kehane recommends the spray bottle method, which involves filling up a spray bottle with warm water and saturating only the areas of the jeans that you want to loosen. Once wet, you can manually manipulate the rigid denim to help stretch it out. You can also dampen your jeans with a steamer if you don’t have a spray bottle handy — just take care not to burn yourself. And no matter which approach you choose, be sure to let your jeans air-dry flat after stretching to help ensure they retain their shape.

Note that these tricks work best for jeans that are too tight, not jeans that are too short. If your favorite pair has lost some length over the years, we suggest visiting a tailor. A skilled professional should be able to let down the hem to give your pants an extra half inch or so of length. To prevent further shrinkage, wash your jeans on cold and air-dry them when possible.