Revive your favorite garments and restore them to their original size with these simple yet effective methods. Recently, I encountered a frustrating situation with one of my beloved sweaters. It kept shrinking more and more each time I tossed it into the washing machine with my regular laundry. Rather than parting ways with it, I decided to explore the possibility of unshrinking it. After hearing about various techniques, I cleaned out my sink and gave it a shot. To my delight, it worked exceptionally well! I managed to gain back about 2 inches in length, which means no more worries about my sweater riding up above my favorite jeans. The entire process only took a few minutes of my time. If you’re on the lookout for more laundry tips, feel free to check out my collection of money-saving and time-efficient laundry hacks.
5 Reasons Why Clothes Shrink in the First Place
- Heat: High temperatures can cause fibers in fabrics to contract, leading to shrinkage. This is particularly true for natural fibers such as cotton and wool, as they are more susceptible to heat from washing machines and dryers.
- Agitation: Excessive agitation during washing or drying can lead to fibers rubbing against each other, which can contribute to shrinkage, especially in delicate fabrics.
- Water: Prolonged exposure to water, especially hot water, can cause fibers to swell and subsequently contract, resulting in shrinkage.
- Chemicals: Certain laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain chemicals that may alter the structure of fibers, making them more likely to shrink.
- Types of Fibers: Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk are more prone to shrinkage compared to synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which have a more stable structure.
What You’ll Need
- A clean bucket or sink
- Fabric softener (I personally recommend Downy)
- Woolite or The Laundress (for future washes)
- Your shrunken garment
How to Unshrink Clothes with Fabric Softener
Begin by filling your kitchen sink or a small bucket with lukewarm water (room temperature is also acceptable). Add approximately 6 tablespoons of fabric softener and mix it well. Once the fabric softener is fully blended in, submerge your shrunken garments into the solution. Gently swish the water around to ensure the clothes are completely soaked, and then set a timer for around 30 minutes. This soaking process allows the fabric softener to penetrate the garment, relaxing the fibers.
Stretching the Shrunken Clothes
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the garments from the water and gently wring out excess moisture. Lay the damp clothes on a dry, clean towel to prepare for stretching. Hold one side of the garment with your hand to stabilize it, and gently stretch it in the direction it needs—whether for length, width, or both. Be particularly gentle during this process, especially with delicate fabrics like silk or cashmere. For my sweater, I focused on restoring length without affecting the width, so my stretching was vertical.
Take your time to stretch the fabric gently; with a little patience, you should be able to add a few inches back to your clothes. If you find it increasingly difficult to stretch the fabric, feel free to place it back in the water for additional soaking.
Letting Them Air Dry
Once you achieve the desired length or width, lay the garment flat on a towel to air dry. It’s essential to avoid using a dryer, as that could lead to further shrinkage.
Preventing Future Shrinkage
- Always check the care label on your garments first. Use my laundry labels guide to decode those often-confusing symbols!
- Avoid washing delicate fabrics (like wool, cotton, and silk) in warm or hot water.
- Opt for a gentle detergent and use the delicate cycle with cold water. I recommend using Woolite or The Laundress for washing delicate items, as they help prevent shrinkage.
- While many garments labeled “dry clean only” can actually be washed at home, following these tips can help you do so safely.
Tired of Laundry Stains?
Don’t forget to grab the free laundry stain removal printable!
Do Clothes Only Shrink Once?
No, clothes can shrink multiple times under the right conditions. The shrinking process occurs when fabric fibers contract due to heat, agitation, or moisture. Once fibers have shrunk, they may remain in that state until exposed to similar conditions again. Repeated exposure to heat or aggressive agitation can lead to further shrinkage, and if fabric fibers stretch out during wear or washing, they may shrink back to their shrunken state when subjected to heat or moisture again.
Does Ironing Help Unshrink Clothes?
No, ironing does not aid in unshrinking garments. While it may temporarily smooth out wrinkles and give the fabric a stretched appearance, it will not restore the garment to its original size or shape.
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Fabric Softener?
If fabric softener is unavailable, you can try using hair conditioner or a capful of baby shampoo (or any gentle shampoo) as an alternative. However, for best results, I recommend sticking with fabric softener, as conditioners can sometimes leave a residue if the items sit for too long. The unshrinking process is quite simple and is effective on various fabric types. Who knew you could actually revive your favorite shirt to its original shape and size with just a little time, a step-by-step process, and a touch of patience?
More Simple Tips to Make Laundry Easier:
- The Best Way to Get the Sweat Smell Out of Clothes
- How to Remove Pilling From Clothes
- Simple Tips to Keep Darks From Fading
- How to Make DIY Homemade Wool Dryer Balls in 10 Minutes!
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