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How to shrink basketball shorts
How to shrink basketball shorts
Will Basketball Shorts Shrink in the Dryer? – Basketball Overtime
Basketball shorts are some of the most versatile pieces of clothing that a person can wear; they can be used for lounging or being active—and of course to wear during that important game. They are also relatively easy to wash; however, before you decide to throw your favorite pair of basketball shorts in the dryer, you may want to check if they will shrink first.
Depending on the material, most basketball shorts will remain the same size and color after a dryer cycle under the right settings. However, those washed and dried under hot water and high heat will most likely shrink.
Generally, basketball shorts are safe to run through the washer and dryer without sacrificing their color or size. However, if they are made of a more delicate material, there are a few alternatives to the washing and drying machine you should take to keep them in their original condition.
Will Basketball Shorts Shrink in the Dryer?
Basketball shorts will generally not shrink when run through a dryer, as long as you are using the right settings.![]()
However, the type of material your basketball shorts are made from could also impact the likelihood of shrinking.
Basketball shorts can either be made from cotton, polyester, or Dri-Fit:
- Basketball shorts made with cotton will usually be those used for lounging. They are more susceptible to shrinking if you wash them with hot water and/or use high heat to dry them.
- Basketball shorts are more commonly made with polyester. While these are safer to wash under hot water, drying them on high heat could cause some shrinking and even color fading if they are not turned inside out.
- Dri-Fit is an advanced material some basketball shorts are made from. They usually fit tighter on the body but are designed to wick away moisture. Dri-Fit basketball shorts should not be placed in the dryer, as exposure to any heat can damage the material and cause shrinking.
Best Dryer Settings for Basketball Shorts
To properly dry cotton or polyester basketball shorts, make sure the dryer is set to a low or no-heat setting; this will help you avoid shrinking or other damage to the material.
If you find that your shorts are still a little damp after a drying cycle with these settings, hang them on a drying rack or clothesline to complete the drying process. Avoid the temptation to run another cycle; in most cases, it is usually better to under-dry basketball shorts in the dryer than over-dry them. If you over-dry, you will most likely see some shrinkage.
With Dri-Fit basketball shorts, you will want to air-dry them by hanging them on a drying rack or clothesline. As mentioned above, any exposure to heat in the dryer will cause them to shrink.
Can Basketball Shorts Shrink with Air-Drying?
Air-drying basketball shorts by hanging them up is usually the safest route you can take to prevent any type of damage to the material. Basketball shorts will never shrink using this drying method.
If you decide to hang your basketball shorts on a clothesline, follow these tips to keep them intact:
- Hang the shorts up by the waistline.
- When hanging the shorts, you will want to pull the waistline, so it is not bunched together once clipped with the clothespin. However, do not pull the waistline so taught that the elastic in the waistband stretches; keep the elastic loose.
If you do not have a clothesline, you can get away with hanging up your shorts in a well-ventilated area where they can dry thoroughly, such as:
- Top of shower curtain rods
- On a hanger over the top of an open door
- On a hook on the back of a door
- On a dry towel on the back of a piece of furniture
You can also use a drying rack, which is perfect for anyone who may not have access to a dryer or clothesline. Drying racks are similar to clotheslines but can be kept indoors.
Alternative Drying Methods for Basketball Shorts
If the above drying options do not necessarily work for you, then there are a few other alternatives that you can use to dry your basketball shorts. Because these options are not the most traditional ways to dry basketball shorts, some caution should be taken to avoid any damage to the material.
Use a Hair Blow Dryer
These are great for pointing a concentrated amount of air onto the shorts in a confined area. Simply blow-drying the shorts can be a quick alternative to hanging the shorts up or using the dryer. Just remember to use the cool air setting rather than hot if you decide to use this method.
If a cool setting is not available on the blow dryer, you can use low heat. However, you should aim the blow dryer further away from the shorts and make sure you rotate them to dry them evenly.
Use a Space Heater
Like a blow dryer, a space heater is a small unit that blows out hot air in an area. Simply lay your basketball shorts in front of the space heater for a short amount of time.
However, do not place the shorts too close to the heater; several feet away works just as well. You also should not leave the clothes unattended, as this can pose a fire hazard.
Opt for Dry Cleaning
Although this is not common for basketball shorts, it is a viable option for making sure they get cleaned and dry without risking any damage in a traditional washing machine or dryer.
Note: This is not recommended for Dri-Fit shorts.
How to Wash Basketball Shorts to Prevent Shrinking
You can prevent any shrinkage in your basketball shorts starting by washing them properly. Regardless of the type of basketball shorts you own, if you decide to use the washing machine, make sure you use cold water with a normal washing cycle. Any warm or hot water could start the process of shrinking the shorts before they even get to the dryer!
Also, it is recommended that you turn the shorts inside-out to maintain their color. You should also avoid using fabric softener, which can damage Dri-Fit shorts or clothes with any material with wicking properties.
Hand Washing Basketball Shorts
If you prefer not to risk washing your shorts shrinking in the washing machine, you could always hand-wash them using these steps:
- Pre-soak the shorts in lukewarm (not hot) water with the appropriate detergent. Leave them in the solution for 15 minutes.
- Gently rub the fabric between your fingers to remove any lingering stains.
- Rinse the shorts with cold water to remove any residue.
After washing your basketball shorts, immediately hang them up to air dry or run them through the dryer with a low or no-heat setting.
In Summary
Basketball shorts have many uses, which often requires them to be frequently washed and dried.
Any exposure to warm water or high heat can increase the chances of shrinkage, so always stick to cold water and low to no-heat settings with your washing machine and dryer. Of course, using alternative methods for washing and drying your basketball shorts instead of the washer and dryer will guarantee their longevity. Opt for hand washing and air-drying when you can, making sure that you still use cold water and low heat if necessary.
By following these tips, you can ensure your basketball shorts always fit well and are ready for your next big game!
How to Shrink Shorts: 3 Options
Take these 3 different methods to shrink your shorts.
How to Shrink Shorts
Athletic & Lifestyle
To shrink your shorts you will want to first use hot air, and if that doesn’t do the job then added in hot water. Hot air will come from your dryer and the hot water from your washing machine. Another way to get hot water to shrink your shorts is boil water on the stove and apply your shorts to that water.
This is How to Shrink Shorts: 3 Options.
Welcome to our article on how to shrink shorts.
Below you will find answers to shrinking your lifestyle shorts (day-to-day), your gym shorts and a spot-treating method that can work on both types of shorts.
Before you start shrinking whichever type of shorts you have, I suggest you contemplate if altering the shorts may be possible instead. There are multiple ways to make shorts tighter without shrinking them, which will most likely give you the most accurate outcome. And also, let your shorts live a little longer!
Heating fabrics too often will shorten their lifespan.
Check out our other guides on shrinking separate pieces of your wardrobe.
- How to Shrink Clothes
- How to Shrink Sweatpants
- How to Shrink Joggers
- How to Shrink Jeans
- How to Shrink Jean Shorts
- How to Shrink a T-shirt
- How to Shrink a Shirt
- How to Shrink a Hoodie
- How to Shrink Shoes
Now, let me take you through the three processes that can help you get set up for this summer fashion. Or pop those quads a bit more in the gym!
- Lifestyle Shorts
- Athletic Shorts
- Spot Shrinking
How to Shrink Shorts
Follow these three methods below to help you find the perfect size of shorts. If you decide that shrinking isn’t the best option, try altering them yourself or take them to a tailor (dry cleaners also do minor alterations like this). Use this guide on how to measure shorts inseam if you do it yourself.
Read our other articles on making the most of your shorts.
- How to Fold Shorts
- How to Wash Shorts
- How to Hem Shorts
1. How to Shrink Cotton & Denim Shorts (Lifestyle Shorts)
- Check the care label. Shorts made of these natural fibres will shrink easily: denim, cotton, silk, linen, and wool. Cotton blends may need some more heat and attention.
- Remove dirt and stains from your shorts. Putting dirty shorts into the dryer will bake in the dirt/stain. You can treat the stains with a stain remover spray or use some elbow grease with soap and water.
- To avoid shrinking your shorts too much, dry them in short bursts. Put the shorts in the dryer (how to use a dryer) for 15 to 20 minutes to start on high heat. Dry shorts can go into the dryer, but you’ll get a more significant shrinking effect if you put them in wet.
- Check the shorts and dry them for longer if you want them to be smaller. If they are not small enough, do 10-minute intervals in the dryer until you are happy with the new size.
Lay them on a drying rack to finish drying if still damp.
How to Shrink Cotton & Denim Shorts: Tips
- For new, never-been-washed shorts, try just washing them first with warm or hot water.
- If the care tag says the shorts should be air dried, try putting them in the dryer for 10 minutes and then air dry them the rest of the way.
- Dry the shorts by themselves for the best and fastest results.
2. How to Shrink Synthetic Fibers (Gym Shorts)
- Check the label. Synthetic fibres are harder to shrink than natural fibres. Spandex and polyester are hard to shrink, while rayon and other cotton-synthetic blends will shrink more easily.
- Use a tea kettle or a pot on the stove to heat enough water to cover your shorts. If you’re using a tea kettle, place the shorts into a bowl and pour the boiling water over the top of them. For the pot on the stove, you can put the shorts directly into it (with the heat turned OFF).
- Soak your shorts until the water returns to room temperature. Usually, this will take around 30 minutes.
- Once the water has cooled down, pull the shorts out of the water and wring them out once squeezed, there should be no drips.
- Put the shorts in the washing machine for the hottest cycle possible (how long does a washer take?). Use a small amount of laundry detergent and run the smallest load possible in your washing machine. Use hot water only for this process. NO COLD!
- Dry the shorts on tumble dry high (or the highest setting you have) for 50 to 60 minutes. Keep an eye on the washing machine so you can move the shorts over as soon as it’s off. This will help the shrinking process.
How to Shrink Synthetic Fibers: Tips
- Heat is an essential part of shrinking clothes, especially synthetic fibers. The more heat used, the more your shorts will shrink.
- If your shorts were already clean, you do not need to pr-clean them.
- Avoid using the moisture-sensitive drying option, as the machine will shut off as soon as the shorts are dry.
3. How to Spot-Shrink Shorts
- Mix hot water and fabric softener in a spray bottle. Use 3⁄4 cup (180 mL) of hot water and 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of liquid fabric softener. Pour the liquids into a spray bottle, put on the lid, and shake.
- Spray the mix onto the needed area. Lay your shorts out flat and start spraying areas that you want to shrink. The common areas are the waist and crotch. Fully saturate. Lay a towel over the areas that you do not want to shrink.
- Put the shorts into the dryer or let them air-dry. For synthetic fibers (athletic shorts), put the shorts into the dryer on the highest heat setting for 10 to 15 minutes. For natural fibers (daily wear), let them air dry to avoid shrinking the entire pair of shorts too much. If that doesn’t work, reapply the spray and put the shorts into the dryer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Depending on the shorts, it may take a few tries to get them to the correct size. In general, 2-3 attempts will be all you need.
How to Spot-Shrink Shorts: Tips
- This method will work best with cotton or denim shorts.
- Use the hottest water you can get from the sink. Do not use boiling water.
- Be careful to measure out the fabric softener to the exact amount.
- If three attempts at this don’t shrink your shorts to the size you want, you will want to take them to a tailor to get them altered.
How to Shrink Shorts FAQ
Do shorts shrink in the dryer?
Yes, shorts will shrink in the dryer if you are not careful. If you do not want your shorts to shrink, you should dry them without a dryer.
How do you shrink shorts length?
You can shrink the shorts’ length by putting them dry in the dryer. However, the best way to shrink the length of your shorts is to hem them.
This can be done by taking them to a tailor or altering them yourself at home.
How do you shrink stretchy shorts?
The simplest way to shrink stretch shorts is to throw them into the dryer while they are dry. But be careful; they shrink easily.
Written and reviewed by:
Tall Paul
I am 6'7 (203cm) / 235lb (106 kg) model and ex-athlete. Since I was a teen I had trouble finding clothes. I was too tall for off the rack and was too lean for Big & Tall.
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The era of basketball fashion is coming to an end - Slamdunk.Shop
NBA model Jerry West wore basketball shorts that matched the length of the loincloths. Michael Jordan has made significant changes. Back then, a group of Michigan State University freshmen known as the "Fab Five" became a national sensation in the early 1990s, in part because of their shorts, which were below the knee.
For several years the question has been how low they can sink.
But now the shorts are getting shorter. There are many conflicting opinions on this issue.
For example, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, superstar LeBron James stated that he would wear short shorts because he wanted to look more professional. But he is far from the first. Future generations of professional players coming of age are wearing tighter clothes, ahead of him.
Kelly Aubrey, Jr., 20-year-old rookie for the Washington Wizards, rolls up his shorts at the waist and bottom at almost every practice and warm-up, leaving them noticeably shorter than his peers. Rolling up his shorts a few inches above his knees, he exposes his legs more than most NBA players in the past two decades. “I just love wearing short shorts because I feel more comfortable on the court,” Aubrey said. “I don’t shake or shake anything.”
Aubrey is a representative of a new movement, a new generation. Today, basketball players are increasingly choosing short and tight shorts.
Fashion in clothes makes itself felt at a professional level.
Basketball and fashion have been closely intertwined for the past few decades. Basketball stars are pushing the trend of daring off the court as well. “On the court, fashion often reflects general trends,” said Long Nguyen. “Basketball is always more of a street sport. Therefore, street fashion is more influential for the players, and many players have grown up with street fashion, they know all the changes. This is much more reflected in basketball than in any other sport. And that was during the hip-hop era, when jeans were really big, T-shirts were really big, jackets were huge, everything was XXL." By the end of 19In the 90s, short shorts were taboo.
The NBA introduced a rule in 1997 requiring basketball shorts not to change even one inch in length and periodically penalizing players for innovations.
In October 2005, David Stern made an attempt to implement a dress code in the basketball world.
The move was widely criticized, with the reasoning being that it looked like a racist was dictating the rules to a "workforce" dominated by young African-American players who preferred hip-hop clothing: baggy jeans, baseball caps, tank tops and baggy t-shirts.
But Nguyen explained at the time that hip-hop clothing is already undergoing a dramatic transition from oversized to skinny. It was only a matter of time before the development of fashion would affect the world of basketball.
"This uniform has never been about the athlete's body," said Nguyen, who believes basketball shorts will never be baggy like they used to be. “And now fashion is really getting 'slenderer'. This is suit fabric. These are jeans. Even the hip-hop guys."
Some players find these changes reasonable for practical reasons. League players have requested uniforms that are a size or two smaller than in recent years.
Jalen Rose and the Fab Five introduced the baggy uniforms during the 1993 National Championship game that have served as a template for basketball players for years.
Players often wear compression shorts to cover their upper legs, which is healthier clothing.
"I also think it also depends on your body type," Dudley said.
Ideas of masculinity are not at all a fundamental factor in shortening and reducing clothes. Aubrey received some criticism from teammates for his less conservative outlook. He also responded to fans actively criticizing him for wearing short shorts.
“I don't care what anyone says about my shorts,” said Aubrey. Staying true to himself, Aubrey wears shorter shorts for now. "I'm a skinny guy, so I don't want to wear baggy clothes," he said. “It makes me look leaner and leaner. I started building leg muscles when I was in the NBA, so now I'm just trying to show them."
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Great Basketball Player
Basketball Uniforms - Facts Out of Fashion - Slamdunk.Shop
Basketball Uniforms are not just bright clothes that reflect the team's slogan.
Often it is worn by fans as a fashionable outfit. And it also helps the players to achieve a better result.
Sportswear has come a long way from handcrafted to industrialized uniforms. In our time, it is difficult to overestimate the role of sports uniforms and equipment. They can make a tangible contribution to the game of the team and affect its morale. It follows that each sport has its own set of equipment and related products for players.
These items range from a simple sweat-absorbing wristband for games like tennis, to safety helmets and shin guards used by hockey players, and so on. Equipment must not be neglected: players know that in this case they put at risk not only the spectacular part of their performance, but also their safety. Now almost every sport has a set of standard requirements for uniforms and equipment.
Look at basketball: balls, shorts, jerseys, shoes, etc. etc. are all vital parts of the structure as a whole, without which it cannot function properly.
Basketball is a very energy-intensive game that requires a lot of concentration, with constant movement around the court. It is unlikely that the player will have a few seconds when he can just stand quietly. From the moment the ball starts to bounce around the court, so do the players - with it in their hands or in pursuit of it.
The standard size of an NBA basketball is 74.93 cm (29.5 inches) in diameter. Basketball leagues usually have clear specifications for balls used in official competition. Weight, inflation, pressure, rebound, circumference, materials used, everything counts.
Basketball jerseys are part of the players' uniform. Fans also wear them - as a fashion accessory or as a symbol of their favorite team. Shirts must be designed to provide maximum comfort to the athlete during the game. Players run, jump, push during the game, therefore, T-shirts must be durable and elastic in order to provide maximum freedom of movement, not to constrain them.
Basketball shorts are slightly different from those used in other sports such as football and athletics.
They are usually knee-length and loose-fitting. Basketball shorts are made from synthetic and nylon fabrics. This is because these materials are great at absorbing sweat, they are also very light and are designed to provide comfort to the player as they stretch well during play.
In basketball, the ball is held with the hands and passed in order to finally hit the basket. It may seem like the hands are doing the whole game, but as in any other ground sport, the player's footwork largely determines the result. That is why a lot of effort goes into the development of basketball shoes.
Lightweight and comfortable are the basic requirements for shoes (as well as for other items of equipment such as T-shirts and shorts). Basketball shoes are also designed to absorb the impact of a player's landing after jumps. In addition, it should help the player run faster and provide good traction while remaining very soft on the foot.
A lot of online stores make basketball equipment - ready-made or custom (that is, adapted to your requirements).
