8 Ways to Stretch Shrunken Woolen Items After Wash

Failure to wash woolen items can cause them to shrink.

Wearing a shrunken sweater or dress isn't fun. In such clothes, a person will feel uncomfortable.

Read about how to stretch shrunken woolen items after washing and how to prevent them from shrinking again in the article.

Why does the wool shrink?

Wool is a natural raw material that is used for sewing warm clothes. Such products perfectly warm in the cold season, do not wrinkle and do not wear out. However, woolen things have one drawback - it is difficult to clean. At the slightest violation of the washing technology, the fabric shrinks.

Reasons that can provoke a decrease in wool products in size:

1. Hot wash. If its temperature exceeds 30 degrees, it will not be possible to avoid shrinkage.
2. Incorrect selection of detergents. Wool is washed only with liquid concentrates or gels.

   Regular powder contains alkali, which destroys delicate tissue. Its fibers shrink, coarse and deform.

3. Machine wash as usual. Most modern appliances are equipped with a Delicate or Wool program. You can only use them to care for woolen products.
4. Improper drying. It is unacceptable to lay out woolen products on a radiator or in the sun. Under the influence of high temperatures, the wool shrinks.

If a defect was made when washing or drying your favorite dress or sweater, you need to urgently start "reanimating" the thing.

How do I restore the size?

You can restore the normal size of woolen items with the help of available tools. Ordinary water, hydrogen peroxide and even milk come to the rescue. You need to use them correctly, according to the instructions.

Water

Wool is highly hygroscopic, that is, the ability to absorb moisture. After swelling, the fibers become soft and elastic, so you can stretch the item with ordinary water.

Instructions for use:

• soak the product in cool water, without adding detergents;
• leave for 15 minutes;
• squeeze the fabric slightly;
• spread the product on a flat surface, on a terry towel;
• during the drying process, the fabric is gently stretched by hands in the right direction;
• as the towel gets wet, it needs to be changed, and the woolen product itself should be turned over.

In this way, you can stretch clothes 1-1.5 sizes. It is important that the item dries on its own, without using heating devices.

Iron

An ordinary iron helps to cope with the problem.

Procedure:

1. Turn the thing over to the wrong side.
2. Spread the sweater or dress on the ironing board.
3. Moisten gauze, cover a woolen thing with it.
4. Turn on the iron at minimum power.
5. Gently iron the product, stretching it with your free hand and shaping it.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive pharmacy antiseptic that makes wool fibers more susceptible to stretching. With its help, the fabric can be increased by 1-2 sizes.

Procedure:

• prepare a solution at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. peroxide per 10 liters of water;
• soak things in it for 2 hours;
• periodically you need to go to the basin and gently stretch the product with your hands;
• squeeze the fabric, spread it on a flat surface;
• during drying, you need to pull the product in width and length.

To prevent the fibers from shrinking when moisture evaporates, you can stuff the inside of the item with towels or other suitable cloth.

Handle peroxide with care. This substance has the property of bleaching fabrics, so it is not used to stretch dark clothes.

Steam

To increase the size of woolen items, you can resort to using a steam generator. Use it as follows:

1. Hang the thing on a hanger or lay it out on a flat surface.
2. They turn on the steam generator and evenly work it through the product. The tube is kept at a distance of 10-15 cm. Special attention is paid to the seams.
3. With your free hand, pull the fabric in the desired direction.
4. After processing, the item can be put on immediately, without waiting for it to dry completely.

In this way, you can increase the product by 1 size.

Cold

Frost is an effective assistant in the fight against shrunken things. To achieve a stretch of 1.5-2 sizes, proceed as follows:

• dissolve 1 cap of liquid detergent in cool water, it is good if it is intended for washing wool;
• the product is soaked for 30 minutes, after which it is rinsed under the shower;
• gently wring out the fabric so that the water stops flowing in streams;
• put the item in a bag and put it in the freezer;
• after a day, the product is removed from the freezer, thawed and dried.

The frozen tissue must be handled with care. In this condition, the coat is extremely vulnerable. It can rip from any careless bend or crease.

Milk

Milk contributes to the fact that natural fibers become more elastic, which means they are easier to stretch.

Procedure:

1. Pour cool milk into a suitable container. You need to take a drink with a small percentage of fat (up to 2.5).
2. Soak a thing in it for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse the fabric and wring it out slightly.
4. Spread the clothes on a flat surface and stretch them in the desired direction with your hands.

Soda

You can stretch the thing in a soda solution. Rules for its preparation and use:

• dilute in 2 liters of water 2 tbsp. l. baking soda;
• place shrunken woolen clothes in the solution, leave overnight;
• in the morning, wash the fabric as usual.

After wringing, the clothes are laid out on a flat surface to dry. From time to time, she is pulled by her hands in the right direction.

Air conditioning

Hair conditioner makes wool fibers supple, soft and flexible.

Use it like this:

1. Dissolve in 1 liter of water 1 tbsp. l. air conditioner.
2. Shrunken clothes are soaked in a basin.
3. After 10 minutes, the item is removed, rinsed under the tap and squeezed slightly.

Dry the product on a flat surface, periodically pulling the fabric in the right direction with your hands.

How to stretch a woolen sweater that has shrunk after washing, will tell this article. Read about ways to return the size of a shrunken woolen blouse here.

Will dry cleaning help correct the situation?

A shrunken item can be stretched out in dry cleaning. Professionals are armed with specialized compounds that process woolto make it softer.

Drying is carried out on steam dummies that evenly enlarge the garment to the desired size.

The cost of work depends on its complexity. They can stretch a hat for 150-200 rubles, and a dress for 400-800 rubles. You need to check the price on the spot.

What to do to prevent shrinkage?

To prevent shrinkage of woolen garments, all risk factors must be excluded. Wash the product only in cool water, up to 30 degrees... Aggressive detergents and intensive washing are prohibited.

Do not dry woolen clothes on a radiator, near heat sources, or in direct sunlight. Compliance with these simple rules of care will allow you to maintain the original size of the thing.

Useful Tips

To stretch a woolen thing and not harm it, you can use the following recommendations:

1. Study the information on the product label and do not violate it.
2. Wear gloves when handling caustic detergents.
3. It is convenient to use a suitable sized jar to stretch wool hats.
4. Do not use aggressive wool treatment compounds.

Related Videos

How to restore a woolen thing that has shrunk after washing, video tips:

Conclusion

Stretching shrunken woolen items is possible, but it will take some effort. Available means come to the rescue:

• cold water,
• soda,
• hair conditioner.

If it is not possible to achieve the desired result, they turn to professionals.