- bucket or clean sink
- fabric softener (I used Downy)
- Woolite or The Laundress (to wash in the future)
- item of clothing that needs unshrunk
Getting Started Unshrinking Clothes
To start, fill a sink or small bucket up with lukewarm water. Mix in about 6 tablespoons of fabric softener.
I used Downy, just because that is what we had in the house.
Once the fabric softener is mixed in with the water add the clothing that you want to unshrink to the water.
Swish the water around so the clothes are completely submerged and set a timer for about 30 minutes.
The fabric softener will soak into the shrunken clothes and relax the fabric.
Stretching the Shrunken Clothes
After 30 minutes remove the clothes from the water and gently wring the excess water from them.
Place the wet clothes on a dry, clean towel so you can stretch the clothes. Placing your hand on one side of the clothes to hold it in place gently stretch in the direction it needs to be stretched.
You will want to make sure you are being very gentle. Especially with fabrics like silk or cashmere.
For my sweater, I was trying to add some length but not width so I only stretched up and down.
Spend a few minutes going through and gently stretching the fabric, not pulling too hard. You should be able to easily add a few inches to the clothes.
If you start having problems stretching the fabric you can always place it back in the water to let it soak some more.
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Letting Them Air Dry
Once you have the fabric stretched to the length or width that you want to lay it on the towel to air dry on a flat surface. You never want to let it dry in a dryer, that will cause shrinkage again.
Once the clothes are dry you are finished.
Keep Clothes From Shrinking
To keep them from shrinking in the future there are a few things you can do.
Don’t wash them in warm or hot water. That was my big mistake, tossing the sweater in on a hot load. Always wash delicates or clothes that may shrink in cold water.
You can wash them by hand or on a gentle cycle in the washing machine.
Another good way to keep them from shrinking is to use a special detergent that is for delicates. I like to use Woolite or The Laundress for delicates. They both help to prevent the fabric from shrinking.
With these simple tips on how to unshrink clothes you never have to throw out a shrunken sweater again. Want some more laundry tips? Check out how to hand wash clothes easily.
