Many people find their woolen clothes shrink after washing. Even after clothes have shrunk significantly, there are ways to stretch them back to their original size. Start by soaking the garment in warm water and baby shampoo or hair conditioner, then remove the garment and stretch it manually to bring it back to its original size. In less than 20 minutes, your clothes will return to their original size and look like new.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a Conditioner Bath
Step 1. Fill the basin with water
Take a clean bucket or basin and fill it with lukewarm water for soaking woolen clothes or fabrics. You can also use a clean sink if you don't have a container large enough to soak the wool in.
Step 2. Add conditioner or baby shampoo
Mix to cup (59. 14 to 78.85 ml) of hair conditioner or baby shampoo in warm water. Use your hands to stir the water so that the conditioner or shampoo is mixed in.
Regular conditioner and baby shampoo flex and loosen the wool fibers so the garment can stretch
Step 3. Put in the wrinkled clothes and soak
Dip the wrinkled clothes in the warm water and baby shampoo or conditioner you prepared. Soak for 10-30 minutes. Make sure the clothes are completely submerged in the water.
Step 4. Remove the clothes from the water
Remove the woolen cloth or garment from the basin and gently squeeze to remove excess water. Pour the solution down the drain.
Do not rinse the garment with water, as the baby shampoo or conditioner that clings to the fibers will help the wool stretch
Step 5. Roll the clothes in a towel
Place a clean towel on a table or other surface and place wet clothes on it. Roll from one end to the other with the clothes inside. Unroll and remove clothes.
By rolling the clothes in a towel, excess water will be absorbed by the towel
Step 6. Stretch by section
Spread out a clean, dry towel and place the wrinkled clothes on it. Use your hands to stretch the garment in sections. You will be able to feel the wool fibers are more elastic than usual.
Step 7. Stretch the garment from top to bottom and from side to side
After stretching a few small areas of the garment, grasp the top and bottom of the garment and pull. Repeat this process from the sides. Continue until the garment returns to its original size.
Step 8. Let the clothes dry
Once the garment has returned to its original size, allow it to dry on a dry towel. Don't worry about unrinsing shampoo or conditioner as these won't damage the wool or affect its texture.
Method 2 of 3: Using Vinegar and Water
Step 1. Make a solution of vinegar and water
Mix 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water in a bucket or sink. Make sure you use enough water to completely soak all the wrinkled clothes.
Step 2. Put the clothes in the solution for 25 minutes
Place the wrinkled garment in the vinegar and water solution and stir the solution. Soak the clothes for about 25 minutes.
Step 3. Remove the clothes from the solution
After 25 minutes, remove the garment from the solution and gently squeeze to remove excess water. Press with a clean, dry towel to absorb the remaining water.
Step 4. Stretch the garment by hand
Use your hands to stretch the garment piece by piece until the entire garment has stretched. Finish by stretching the garment from top to bottom and from side to side until the garment returns to its original size.
Step 5. Dry naturally
Once the clothes are back to their original size, dry them naturally by hanging them on the drying rack. After drying, the garment or woolen garment will look like new.
Method 3 of 3: Stretching and Pinning Clothes
Step 1. Wet the clothes
Wet the clothes by soaking them in water or placing them under warm running water, but don't get them soaking wet. Wetting woolen clothing loosens the fibers, making them stretch more easily.
Use this method only if the previous two methods don't work because this method runs the risk of damaging the wool
Step 2. Spread out a dry towel
Spread two dry bath towels side by side on a table or other flat surface. Press the edges with a heavy object or clip to keep the towel from moving and staying flat.
Step 3. Stretch the garment by hand
Stretch the garment in sections using your hands then stretch it from top to bottom and from side to side.
Step 4. Pin the clothes to the towel
Pin the bottom edge of the garment to the towel using a pin. Pull on the top of the garment to stretch it then pinch the top using a pin. Repeat this process, but this time pinch the left and right.
Keep in mind that pinning the garment with a needle can create gaps in the wool fabric
Step 5. Let it dry and remove the needle
In a pinch, let the wool dry. Once completely dry, remove the needle. The garment should no longer shrivel.
Tips
- Using baby shampoo or conditioner is a proven method. So, this is the best step to start.
- If the garment hasn't changed much, you'll need to repeat this process a few times before the wool stretches significantly.
