Do not rush to throw it away, or what to do if the shirt shrinks after washing

A shrunken shirt is a nuisance that anyone can face. It occurs due to non-compliance with the rules for shirt washing and taking care of her.

You should not rush to throw away the thing. You can try to restore its size and shape at home.

What to do if the shirt shrinks after washing, how to return it to its original size? Look for answers to questions in the article.

How do I return the shrinking item to its original size?

There are several ways to deal with the problem... Re-washing in cool water, stretching the fibers of the fabric by freezing, as well as processing with various substances can come to the rescue.

In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow the existing instructions for action, so as not to further damage the product.

Soaking in cold water

You can return the shirt to its previous size with cold water (up to 30 degrees).

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Pour cool water into a basin.
2. Soak your shirt completely in it.
3. Leave on for 10 minutes.
4. Take the product out of the water and, without squeezing, lay it out on a flat surface. A terry towel is placed underneath so that the liquid is absorbed faster. The fabric needs to be changed periodically.
5. During drying, you must manually stretch the shirt in the desired direction.

The good thing about this method is that it is suitable for both delicate and regular fabrics.... The color of the thing and the strength of its dyeing do not matter. Thus, it is possible to cope with minor shrinkage, not exceeding 2-5%.

If you have time and patience, then you can put on a wet shirt and wear it until it dries completely. This will allow you to make it the right size.

Soaking in milk

A shrunken light shirt can be soaked in milk. Step-by-step instruction:

• pour cold milk into a bowl;
• put a shirt in it, leave for 30 minutes;
• rinse the item in warm water;
• spread out on a flat surface, on a terry towel, wait until the product is completely dry.

You need to choose a product with a minimum fat percentage. Milk will not only give the shirt the desired shape and size, it will also whiten it.

The disadvantages of this method include an unpleasant odor that remains on the fabric. after washing. To get rid of it, the thing must be thoroughly rinsed. You can soak it in vinegar for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse it under running water.

Vinegar treatment

Stretch your shirt with 3% vinegar.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Dilute 3 tablespoons of vinegar in 10 liters of water.
2. Soak the shirt in the prepared solution for 2 hours.
3. Wash the item with powder, rinse with conditioner. This will get rid of the vinegar smell.
4. Spread the shirt out to dry on a flat surface.

This method is suitable for pulling white and colored items. The main disadvantage of the method is that a shirt that has shrunk by 1-2 sizes cannot be restored. Vinegar removes only slight shrinkage.

Salmon, turpentine and vodka

To eliminate shrinkage, you can soak the shirt in a special solution. To prepare it you will need:

• 3 tbsp. l. ammonia;
• 1 tbsp. l. vodka;
• 1 tbsp. l. turpentine;
• 5 liters of water.

Thanks to alcohols and turpentine, the fibers of the product become more elastic... To achieve maximum effect, the fabric should be slightly stretched while drying.

The main advantage of the method is that it can be used to increase the item by 1-2 sizes.

The disadvantages include:

1. A pungent smell that comes from ammonia and turpentine.
2. The inability to use the solution to stretch black and fragile colored fabrics.
3. The need for a long rinse of the product. This is the only way to get rid of extraneous odors.

During work, you need to protect the respiratory system by wearing a mask or respirator.

Hair conditioner

You can stretch your shirt 1-1.5 sizes if you wash it in a hair conditioner. Step-by-step instruction:

• wet the shirt and place it in an empty basin;
• pour hair conditioner over the item so that it is completely saturated with it;
• stretch the fabric with your hands in different directions for several minutes;
• rinse the product in cool water;
• dry on a flat surface.

This method is suitable for stretching shirts made from natural fabrics.

Under the influence of the conditioner, the fibers are straightened, become more pliable and stretch easily... After washing, a pleasant smell will come from the garment.

Hair conditioner will not harm the material, so you can safely use it on shirts of any color. The only drawback of this method is its low efficiency for synthetics.

Freezing

By placing the shirt in the freezer, you can stretch it 1-2 sizes.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Dissolve the detergent in water and soak the shirt in it for 10 minutes.
2. Rinse the garment and squeeze out a little.
3. Place it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer.
4. Take out the shirt in a day, leave it in the bag until it is completely thawed.
5. Spread the item on a flat surface, let it dry completely.

The disadvantages of freezing include:

• it will take a long time to wait for the result;
• the method is not suitable for processing delicate fabrics;
• in this way, fragile products cannot be stretched, as they will tear.

You need to remove the shirt from the freezer carefully, without making any creases. When frozen, the tissue is very fragile and prone to tearing.

Hydrogen peroxide

You can stretch the shirt 1 size with hydrogen peroxide.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Pour 5 liters of cool water into a basin, add 3 tbsp. l. hydrogen peroxide.
2. Soak the thing in the solution for 2 hours.
3. Rinse it off and lay it on a flat surface to dry.

This method is versatile as it is suitable for any type of fabric.However, its effectiveness is not very high.

Steaming

Steaming things will help to correct the situation. Step-by-step instruction:

• slightly moisten the thing by spraying it with a spray bottle;
• turn the product to the wrong side;
• lay the shirt on an ironing board, covering it with gauze on top;
• steam the fabric, holding the iron at a distance of 10 cm, manually stretching it;
• if the material can withstand steam treatment, it can be ironed.

Pulling by load

You can stretch the shirt using a weight.

Step-by-step instruction:

• moisten the product;
• hang it on a hanger;
• hang a small weight from the bottom of the shirt;
• wait until it dries completely.

In this way, almost any fabric can be increased in size. However, the disadvantage of this method is that it will be difficult to achieve uniform stretching.

Return of the lost shape for products of different colors and materials

Depending on the fabric from which the shirt is sewn and on its color, the methods of pulling it will differ. Recommendations are presented in the table:

Important recommendations

So that when you try to stretch the shirt you do not completely ruin it, the following recommendations should be taken into account:

1. To cope with the problem, stretch the garment while drying. However, the pulling force must be controlled so as not to damage the fabric.
2. Before soaking a thing in a chemical, you need to test it on an inconspicuous area of ​​fabric.
3. The product should not be thrown over the rope. Such drying neutralizes the entire effect of the manipulations done.

After returning the shirt to its original size, you must follow the manufacturer's advice on caring for it. Otherwise, the next wrong wash will cause it to re-shrink.

Conclusion

If the shirt shrinks after washing, you can resort to one of the methods aimed at returning it to its original size. Subject to all recommendations, the product will take the desired shape and will serve its owner for a long time.