Shrinking knee sleeves can help to regain compression on your knees if the sleeves have loosened over time or were too big to begin with. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to safely shrink your knee sleeves without damaging the material.
Step 1: Check the Material
Before you attempt to shrink your knee sleeves, it’s important to check the material they’re made of. Many knee sleeves are made of neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber that can be heat sensitive. Other materials could include nylon or spandex. Review the care label for any specific instructions or warnings related to heat and shrinking.
Step 2: Wash with Hot Water
Usually, washing with hot water will cause most fabrics to shrink. This is often the first step in attempting to make your knee sleeves smaller.
- Fill a sink or a tub with hot water. Make sure the water is as hot as you can safely handle without causing burns or damaging the fabric.
- Submerge the knee sleeves in the hot water and let them soak for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will allow the fibers to relax and expand.
- If the sleeves are particularly soiled, add a small amount of mild detergent to the water to help clean them.
- Gently agitate the water with your hands to ensure the sleeves are fully soaked.
Step 3: Dry on High Heat
Heat can encourage shrinkage further, which is why a dryer on a high heat setting can be useful.
- Carefully remove the knee sleeves from the hot water and squeeze out excess water without twisting them, as that can damage the fabric.
- Place the knee sleeves in your dryer. Set it to the highest heat setting. If your dryer has a “shrink” or “sanitary” cycle, use that.
- Run the dryer until the knee sleeves are completely dry.
- Check the size of the knee sleeves. If they haven’t shrunk to your desired size, you can repeat the process.
Step 4: Monitor the Fit and Comfort
After shrinking your knee sleeves, it’s important to make sure they fit comfortably and provide the right amount of compression without being too tight.
- Try on the knee sleeves after they have cooled down from the dryer.
- Perform some sort of light activity that involves knee movement to ensure they stay in place and feel comfortable.
- If the sleeves feel too small or tight, you can manually stretch them out a bit while they’re still warm from the dryer for a custom fit.
Additional Tips
Before starting the shrinking process, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to avoid damage to the knee sleeves.
- Consider the degree of compression you need, as overly tight knee sleeves can impede blood flow and be counterproductive.
- Repeatedly shrinking and stretching fabric can reduce the lifespan of the knee sleeves, so it’s best to do this sparingly.
- If shrinking does not achieve the desired results, purchasing new knee sleeves tailored to your size might be a better option.
Remember that each time you attempt to shrink the knee sleeves, you risk damaging them, so proceed cautiously and consider seeking a replacement if you are not able to achieve the compression you need.