8 ways to stretch shrunken woolen items after washing

Unsuccessful washing of a woolen item can cause it to shrink in size.

Wearing a shrunken sweater or dress is no fun. In such clothes a person will feel uncomfortable.

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

Why does wool shrink?

Wool is a natural raw material that is used to sew warm clothes. Such products provide excellent warmth during the cold season, do not wrinkle or wear out. However, woolen items have one drawback - they are difficult to care for. At the slightest violation of the washing technology, the fabric shrinks.

Reasons that may cause wool products to decrease in size:

1. Wash in hot water. If its temperature exceeds 30 degrees, shrinkage cannot be avoided.
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, become rough and deformed.

3. Machine wash normally. Most modern appliances are equipped with “Delicate Wash” or “Wool” programs. Only these can be used to care for woolen products.
4. Incorrect drying. It is unacceptable to place woolen items on a radiator or in the sun. When exposed to high temperatures, the wool shrinks.

If a mistake was made when washing or drying your favorite dress or sweater, you need to urgently begin to “reanimate” the item.

How to restore the size?

You can restore the normal size of woolen items using available means. Plain water, hydrogen peroxide and even milk come to the rescue. They must be used correctly, according to the instructions.

Water

Wool has high hygroscopicity, that is, the ability to absorb moisture. After swelling, the fibers become soft and elastic, so you can stretch the item using ordinary water.

Instructions for use:

• soak the product in cool water, without adding detergents;
• leave for 15 minutes;
• lightly wring out the fabric;
• spread the product on a flat surface, on a terry towel;
• during the drying process, the fabric is carefully stretched by hand in the desired direction;
• As the towel gets wet, it needs to be changed and the woolen product itself must be turned over.

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

Iron

An ordinary iron helps to cope with the problem.

Procedure:

1. Turn the item inside out.
2. Lay out the sweater or dress on the ironing board.
3. Moisten the gauze and cover the woolen item with it.
4. Turn on the iron at minimum power.
5. Gently iron the product, stretching it with your free hand and giving it the desired shape.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive pharmaceutical antiseptic that makes wool fibers more stretchable. 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 approach the pelvis and gently stretch the product with your hands;
• wring out the fabric and 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 fabric.

Peroxide must be handled with care. This substance has the property of bleaching fabric, so it is not used to stretch dark items.

Steam

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

1. Hang the item on hangers or lay it out on a flat surface.
2. Turn on the steam generator and evenly process the product with it. The tube is held at a distance of 10-15 cm. Particular attention is paid to the seams.
3. With your free hand, pull the fabric in the desired direction.
4. After treatment, 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 shriveled things. To achieve a stretch of 1.5-2 sizes, proceed as follows:

• dissolve 1 cap of liquid detergent in cool water, it’s good if it is intended for washing wool;
• soak the product for 30 minutes, then rinse in the shower;
• gently wring out the fabric so that the water stops flowing in streams;
• place the item in a bag and put it in the freezer;
• After a day, the product is removed from the freezer, defrosted and dried.

Frozen tissue must be handled with care. In this state, the wool is extremely vulnerable. It can tear due to any careless bend or crease.

Milk

Milk helps 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 content (up to 2.5).
2. Soak the item in it for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse the fabric and wring it lightly.
4. Lay the clothes out on a flat surface and stretch them in the desired direction with your hands.

Soda

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

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

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

Air conditioner

Hair conditioner makes wool fibers elastic, soft and stretchable.

Use it as follows:

1. Dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 liter of water. l. air conditioner
2. Soak shrunken clothes in a basin.
3. After 10 minutes, remove the item, rinse it under the tap and lightly wring it out.

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

This will tell you how to stretch a woolen sweater that has shrunk after washing. this article.Read about ways to return the size of a shrunken woolen blouse Here.

Will dry cleaning help correct the situation?

A shrunk item can be dry-cleaned. Professionals are armed with specialized compounds that are used to process wool.to make it softer.

Drying is carried out on steam mannequins, which evenly expand the clothes to the desired size.

The cost of the 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 woolen items from shrinking, it is necessary to eliminate all risk factors. Wash the product only in cool water, up to 30 degrees. Aggressive detergents and intensive washing are prohibited.

Useful tips

To stretch a woolen item and not harm it, You can use the following recommendations:

1. Study the information indicated on the product label and do not violate it.
2. Use gloves when working with caustic detergents.
3. To stretch wool hats, it is convenient to use a jar of a suitable size.
4. Do not use aggressive compounds to treat wool.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.

Video on the topic

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

Conclusion

It is possible to stretch shrunken woolen items, but this will require some effort. Available tools come to the rescue:

• cold water,
• soda,
• hair conditioner.

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