How to Unshrink Clothes and Bring Them Back to Size
There’s an issue that people mostly face after washing their clothes, which is shrinkage. Now, the hurdle here is that their clothes won’t fit them properly, and they might end up removing their favourite pair from the collection. So, to avoid this situation, you can contact a professional like Love2Laundry to save clothes from shrinking, as unshrinking clothes after they have sustained damage is nearly impossible.
With our expert guidance, you can learn an effective strategy to restore the damage of your shrunken clothes to some extent. Moreover, the materials you’ll use for unshrinking clothes & garments will also prevent wrinkles.
Here are some techniques you can use to unshrink different fabrics without encountering hurdles.
About Love2Laundry
Lovee2Laundry is a professional laundry and dry cleaning service provider that caters to customer requirements as a priority. With proper care of the outfits, we provide customers with benefits like cost-effective plans and convenience, which will save you time and effort.
Moreover, you’ll have the flexibility to schedule the pickup because our professionals carefully handle the unshrinking clothes & garments.
Why Do Clothes Shrink in the First Place?
When it comes to finding the reasons for shrinking clothes, one of them would be not using the best wash cycle for everyday clothes. Besides that, the fabric’s durability and the speed of the drum also play an important role. So, if you want to know more reasons for shrunken clothes, here they are.
- Excessive heat and moisture.
- Agitation of the fabric.
- Fabric type.
Can You Really Unshrink Clothes?
Yes, in many cases, there is a possibility. Although the garment cannot always be returned to its original full measurements, with the right methods, one can generally relax and stretch the fibres back to almost their normal state.
People who shrink clothes made of cotton, wool, cashmere, and their blends are especially sensitive to shrinking because their fibres tighten when exposed to agitation or heat; however, with a little soaking and proper, gentle treatment, they can be loosened.
How to Unshrink Cotton Clothes
Unshrink clothes made of cotton fabrics is easy. Prepare a tub of lukewarm water with the addition of a small quantity of baby shampoo or fabric softener, roughly one tablespoon to a litre of water. Immerse the garment in the solution for about 20–30 minutes to allow the fibres to relax.
After soaking, gently press out the excess water without wringing it. Lay the piece flat on a towel, roll it up to absorb further moisture, gently reshape the clothing to its original size, and air dry it hanging for best results, as gravity will also cause a pull on the fibres.
How to Unshrink Wool and Delicate Fabrics
Extra special care has to be taken with wool, cashmere, and other delicate fibres. Their use of hot water or rough handling can cause permanent damage; always wash in cold or lukewarm water. Mix up a basin of water with one tablespoon of hair conditioner or white vinegar to help loosen the fibres.
Let your garment soak for about thirty minutes. Gently press out water and lay it flat on a towel, stretching it back carefully. Do not hang it, as this will spoil its shape; always reshape it flat.
How to Unshrink Clothes with Fabric Softener
Unshrink clothes with the best fabric softeners, which relax the fibres, helping to prevent clothes from shrinking. Fill a basin with warm water and mix in 1-2 tablespoons of fabric softener. Soak the garment in this solution for 20-25 minutes.
Squeeze out excess water gently, then roll the garment in a towel. Lay it flat and reshape it by gently stretching it to the desired size. Let the garment air dry, stopping occasionally to assure it retains its shape.
How to Unshrink Clothes with Vinegar
Made with vinegar, it serves as a natural relaxing agent to soften the fibres; thus, it can be beneficial in treating cotton and its blends. Add 1 cup of white vinegar into a basin of lukewarm water and soak the garment for 20-30 minutes.
After finishing soaking, rinse thoroughly in clean water to remove excess vinegar and unpleasant odours. Afterwards, gently press out water, lay the garment flat, and stretch it back into shape. Vinegar may initially have a strong smell, but it will dissipate after rinsing and air-drying. You can even wash towels with vinegar to prevent shrinking.
Also Read – If you think that dryer sheets are toxic for laundry? Check out our blog for details.
How to Unshrink Clothes After the Dryer
Heat from a tumble dryer is one of the primary factors that cause shrinkage. So, in case your clothes come out too small, do not panic. Soak the articles in lukewarm water with baby shampoo, conditioner, or fabric softener to give the fibres a chance to relax first.
After soaking, squeeze out excess water with a towel roll and carefully stretch the garment while it is still damp. Let it air-dry flat, as heat from the dryer can nullify your efforts. This technique would be effective to unshrink clothes made of cotton fabric.
How to Unshrink Clothes in the Washing Machine
This method is hands-free and involves the delicate or soak cycle of your washing machine. Fabric softener or hair conditioner is added to the drum with cool or lukewarm water.
When the cycle finishes, carefully remove the garment and, while it is still damp, gently stretch it back to its original size. When flat for drying, readjust as needed to retain its restored shape.
Extra Tips for Unshrinking Clothes Successfully
Did you know that following some professional tips to fix shrunken clothes, you can restore them without hurdles? By reducing the risk of damage, your clothes will look and feel pleasant, providing a comfortable experience.
So, here are the tips you can follow to unshrink shirts.
- Always reshape clothes while damp, not dry.
- Use towels to gently press excess water instead of wringing.
- Stretch clothes gradually, not forcefully, to avoid tearing.
- Air dry flat to hold shape.
Also Read – Looking for washing machine caring tips? Our blog will provide you with the details.
When to Call the Professionals
If you feel like your clothes are getting smaller after every wash and your schedule doesn’t allow you to find a solution, contact Love2Laundry. That’s because we have years of experience in dealing with stubborn stains on different fabrics.
Our experts utilise sustainable methods and materials to clean and protect outfits from damage, including shrinking and colour fading. Furthermore, we’ll offer you the flexibility feature, allowing you to set up your schedule from the office. So, book now and experience the expert washing.
FAQs – How to Unshrink Clothes
Is there a way to unshrink your clothes?
Yes, there is a way you can unshrink your clothes with a technique that relaxes the fibres. A suitable solution would be to prepare a mixture of warm water and baby shampoo. Place your clothes in it and gently stretch the outfit to restore its shape.
Can you unshrink 100% cotton?
100% cotton can often be unshrinkable because the cotton fibre responds well to soaking and stretching techniques, particularly when shrinkage occurs due to heat. However, please note that your garment won’t be restored to its original size.
Is it possible to reverse shrinking damage?
You can reverse the effect of shrinkage, but only to an extent, not completely. The reason is that the heat and agitation tighten the fibres of outfits, resulting in almost no recovery.
Wrap Up!
After obtaining the details to unshrink clothes and restore their original size, your outfits will be durable and offer a pleasant appearance. The tips, such as reading the label and using materials suitable for each fabric, would be effective.
Moreover, by knowing the reason behind unshrinking clothes & garments, you can avoid them in the future by choosing the right spin cycle for your laundry.
