How to Shrink Headbands

Co-authored by Janet Miranda and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 17, 2023

When your headband gets loose, it can slip off your head and become more of a nuisance than anything else. Depending on the type of headband you have, you may be able to shrink it down so it'll fit your head and stop falling off for good. Whether you've got a nylon headband or another type of headband with elastic, we'll show you how to fix stretched-out headbands and shrink them in the washer and dryer.

Question 1 of 4:

How do you tighten a headband?

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Set your machine to the hottest cycle and throw your headbands in for a spin. This works well for cotton and linen headbands, since the heat and agitation will cause the fibers to move closer together.^{[1]
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Instead of laying your headbands out to dry, put them in the dryer on the hottest cycle. This is sure to shrink your headbands, and you might want to check on them every 15 to 20 minutes so they don’t get too small.^{[2]
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Question 2 of 4:

How do you shrink a nylon headband?

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Try washing it in hot water. Unfortunately, nylon is notoriously tough to shrink. You can try to wash it in the washing machine using the hottest cycle, but it might not shrink much at all.^{[3]
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- Synthetic fabrics are usually much tougher to shrink than natural ones.

Question 3 of 4:

Can you wash headbands?

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Yes, by using warm water and soap. Fill a bucket with warm water and add in a few drops of mild detergent. Gently agitate your headbands in the soapy water, then rinse them out in the sink. Hang the headbands up to dry for a few hours before putting them back on.^{[4]
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- You can use this method on almost any type of headband unless it says “dry clean only.” If yours does, try spot treating it using a damp rag and warm water instead.

Question 4 of 4:

How do you wear a headband without it slipping off?

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Clean, shiny hair is notoriously slippery. Before putting your headband on, add some dry shampoo or sea salt spray to your roots, then brush it into the rest of your hair. Your headband will stick to the products in your hair so it doesn’t slide around.^{[5]
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Hairspray is slightly sticky, so it’s perfect for keeping your headband on. Spray a thin layer all over the top of your head, then slide your headband on before it dries.^{[6]
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This is the best way to keep a headband on all day. Grab 2 bobby pins that are close to your hair color and slide them over the headband right behind your ears. Cover up the spots with a few stray strands to camouflage your bobby pins.^{[7]
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Tips

Headbands will naturally get looser over time. If you’ve had your headbands for a while and they’re really stretched out, it might be time to get some new ones.

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When you purchase a headband, make sure it fits well, because they may come in different sizes.

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Elastic bands tend to stay on the head better, as well as thicker ones.

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