Laundry is one of those endless tasks that you never see an end to. It is not hard, but this mundane task has the potential to become a letdown in a moment when you notice your favorite shirt has shrunk from the laundry three sizes down to its original size.
Alas, clothes shrink too readily in the washing machine, but thank goodness unshrinking them is nearly as simple. With a few easy steps, you can return your unshrink clothes to their previous state, prior to the washer and dryer doing their thing.
Shrinkage fabrics can be reversed to Unshrink clothes!
“Don’t panic, some shrunken fabrics can be reversed!” says Whirlpool brand manager Morgan LaLonde.
Shrinkage can be reversed with items found around the house, many of which you likely already have in your shower. Continue reading to find out how to unshrink clothes.
Why do clothes shrink?
If you don’t pay attention to the washing instructions for one piece of clothing or mistakenly place a delicate item on a too harsh cycle at too hot a temperature, your clothes may become the victims of the nefarious shrinking plots of your washing machine or dryer. But it is possible to stretch clothes without destroying them.
Is it possible to unshrink clothes?
Before you throw your shrunk clothes away or dash to the dry cleaners for assistance in recovering your favorite garments from being on the verge of becoming baby wear, just go to the bathroom to discover all that you need to do it yourself. The magic ingredient is hair conditioner, among other things. As a good conditioner for relaxed hair, it can also relax the fibers of your garments so that they can stretch and recover from such a traumatic experience as shrinking. Conditioner at the ready, proceed as follows to unshrink your clothes.
How to Unshrink Clothes Using Hair Conditioner:
Simply adhere to these basic steps by LaLonde in order to mend damage inflicted to your shirt or any other item of clothing.
- Mix warm water and 2 tablespoons of hair conditioner in a basin or a bowl. Alternatively, a baby shampoo can serve as a replacement for conditioner and be used effectively for unshrink clothes.
- Soak the shrunken item within the mixture for approximately 30 minutes.
- Take the item out and squeeze out excess water. If needed, wrap the item in a towel to squeeze out even more water.
- Stretch the item as gently as possible and allow it to air dry in that position.
- Wash and dry the item once more, following these guidelines to avoid re-shrinkage and avoid conditioner buildup from setting in.
What do I need to know about stretching some fabrics?
Wool and cashmere
Wool, which is produced from animal fleece, is a sensitive material that will shrink when washed in hot water or put in the dryer. Shaker machines will also shrink wool. If the wool has shrunk so much that the fibers have become knotted together to form felt, you can’t stretch it out again.
But if it’s only shrunk slightly, the wool fibers will want to stretch out again when you do this.
Cashmere, which is produced from goat undercoats, will also shrink when exposed to heat. To stretch it, soak it in the conditioner and water mixture, stretch it gently, and pin it down for approximately an hour. The fabric is very delicate, so handle it carefully when stretching it.
Cotton
Unless preshrunk, cotton fabric will shrink 20% in the first wash. If it has been preshrunk, cotton will shrink a bit on the first wash. (It will shrink afterward if washed in extreme temperatures.) The cleaner the cotton, e.g., 80% or 100% cotton, the more likely to shrink compared to cotton blends. It can, however, be re-stretched by following the techniques described in this article.
Polyester
Polyester, which is a man-made fabric from polymers, is strong and water-resistant. It does shrink slightly, particularly if you wash or dry it at high heat or if the item is constructed of a thinner or lower-blend material. It is simpler to re-stretch a blend polyester than an all-polyester, but you can apply the technique above to achieve this.
Linen
Plant-fiber linen doesn’t shrink quite as much as other types of fabric, but it will shrink around 4% when it is washed for the first time. It will also shrink if it is high-heat dried or washed. Unmixed linen can’t be stretched, but a blend of linen will stretch. Use the technique described above and dry on a line.
Silk
Since silk is so fragile, you must be extremely gentle handling it. Soak it in the water and conditioner for 30 minutes to an hour. While the object is wet (silk fibers are not as durable or tight when wet), carefully stretch it out to the desired size. Blot dry with a towel and air dry.
Denim
Denim, which is cotton twill or synthetic cloth, will shrink slightly (around 3% to 4%) the first time you wash it. Denim will, however, tend to stretch as it dries. In case you have to stretch denim in a hurry, wear it wet and perform some squats.
If you want to shrink your denim jeans you can visit our article.
Besides that, how do I stretch clothing?
Rather than using conditioner, you can also soak the affected clothing item in a mild laundry detergent or one part distilled white vinegar to three parts water. You can also add fabric softener. The objective is to make the fabric soft so that you can stretch the fabric.
There are a few other non-traditional techniques, such as steaming the material to loosen up the threads and then stretching it, and wetting the garment and then pinning it to the right size, similar to how crocheters do it to stretch granny squares. You may also purchase garment stretchers that are specifically designed.
Conclusion:
In short, unshrink clothes is not just a stopgap measure for a washing error—it’s an easy method that can bring new life to your favorite clothing. Using straightforward methods such as soaking in warm water with a bit of hair conditioner or baby shampoo and tenderly stretching the fabric when it is damp, you may be able to bring shrunken pieces closer to their original size. Remember, gentle and prompt care is the key, and while these techniques are appropriate for most materials, prevention is always best.
Always read labels and change washing habits to avoid shrinkage in the future. With these simple, effective tips, you’re not only rescuing your clothes from the perils of the dryer but also learning valuable lessons in proper fabric care that can help keep your wardrobe looking its best for years to come.
