5 Ways To Save Clothes That Have Shrunk

When we put on some garments after washing them, we can see clothes that have been damaged, clothes that have shrunk or been worn.

A disadvantage of washing clothes is that some of them shrink because of their delicate fabrics, or because they have not been cared for properly.

Most people ignore the washing instructions that are on the patches in the clothes, and almost always wash all the clothes in a regular washing program without thinking about the consequences.

The good news for all of us is that there are several home remedies that allow us to save clothes that have shrunk.

In this article, we want to reveal the 5 most interesting patterns so that you will be able to stretch your clothes back to their original size.

Take note!

1. Hair conditioner for stretching clothes that have shrunk

Hair conditioner is a good solution for stretching wool garments. This treats the clothes in a similar way as a regular fabric softener would, but the advantage is that it makes the garments return to their original size.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of hair conditioner (62 ml)
• ¼ one cup clear vinegar (optional) (62 ml)
• Hot water (the required amount)

This is what you do

• Pour hair conditioner into a bucket of warm water and let clothes that have shrunk soak in it for 20 minutes.
• After this, stretch the garment with your hands until it regains its original size.

• Let it dry without twisting it up and wait until it dries completely.
• If the garment is a sweater, we recommend having some clear vinegar in the mix for better results.

2. Fabric softener

Although the chemical compounds found in fabric softeners are not recommended, using fabric softener on shrunken clothing can help you get them back to their normal size.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fabric softener (250 ml)
• 4 cups water (1 liter)

This is what you do

• Pour fabric softener into warm water and then soak the shrunk clothes in this mixture.
• Let it soak for 24 hours before rinsing it.
• Leave the garment in the sun without twisting it up, and wait until it has dried to see if it has returned to its original size.

3. Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar have many uses in our daily lives when it comes to cleaning.

These act as a natural fabric softener and have the ability to protect clothes and make sure they stay the same size.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons baking soda (20 g)
• 2 liters of hot water
• 1 cup clear vinegar (250 ml)

This is what you do

• Pour baking soda into a liter of warm water and let it dissolve. After this, dip the garment you want to save in the mixture.
• Carefully stretch the garment and soak it for an hour.
• After this, mix clear vinegar with the other liter of water and use it as a rinse.

4. Baby shampoo

Baby shampoo is a good alternative to ordinary products for expanding trousers and other thick garments.

We recommend combining it with a little hair conditioner for better results.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of baby shampoo (62 ml)
• 3 tablespoons hair conditioner (30 g)
• Hot water (the required amount)

This is what you do

• Fill a quarter of a bucket with warm water and then put in baby shampoo and natural conditioner.
• Let the clothes soak for 12 hours and then gently stretch them out.
• Squeeze out excess liquid from the garment before allowing it to dry.
• If the clothes are too stiff, use a steam iron to make them softer.

5. Clear vinegar and hair treatment

Clear vinegar is classified as a natural fabric softener and clothing protector. Furthermore, it cleans stains, removes dirt and leaves a cooling feeling.

To extend certain types of clothes that have shrunk, you can combine clear vinegar with a little hair treatment or cream that is used to make the hair easier to comb.

Ingredients

• ½ cup clear vinegar (125 ml)
• ¼ cup hair treatment (62 ml)
• Hot water (the required amount)

This is what you do

• Dissolve the two ingredients in a bucket of warm water and soak the garments.
• Wait half an hour for the products to work.
• After this, you stretch the garments little by little with your hands.
• Let them soak again for an hour and wash them as you normally would.

Remember that the effect of these home treatments can vary depending on the type of garment and the type of fabric. For example, it is sometimes impossible to save clothes when the fabric  of a garment changes texture completely.

To avoid this, you should check the labels and read how the garment needs to be washed.