Stretching synthetic fabrics such as polyester is not easy because these materials are made of very stable molecules. This allows it to stay in its shape permanently. However, you can still stretch polyester garments and fabrics slightly larger for a while, especially if the fabric has been blended with a stretchy organic material, such as cotton. The trick is to use a mixture of warm water and regular hair conditioner, which makes the fabric fibers loosen and expand.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Stretching T-shirts with Water and Conditioner
Step 1. Put warm water into the sink or container
Turn on the faucet and wait for the water to reach a comfortable warm temperature before you shut off the flow. The water used should be warm to the touch, but not too hot. Use enough water to soak the shirt you want to stretch.
Applying excessive heat to polyester or another similar synthetic material (even using water), can cause it to warp or permanently deform
Step 2. Add hair conditioner to the water
The general rule is roughly 1 tbsp. (15 ml) conditioner per 1 liter of water. Pour the conditioner into the water, then gently stir the water by hand until everything is evenly mixed.
- Conditioner will help soften the fibers of the fabric, as it does for softening hair.
- If you don't have conditioner, you can use an equal amount of moisturizing shampoo. A great option is baby shampoo.
Step 3. Soak the t-shirt in water for 15 to 30 minutes
Press the shirt into the water until it is completely submerged. Set a timer for at least 15 minutes. When the shirt is soaked, the combination of conditioner and warm water makes the yarn fibers loosen and stretch.
After about 30 minutes has passed, most of the water will have turned cold and won't have any effect on the fabric
Step 4. Take a t-shirt and squeeze out as much water as possible
Unplug the sink plug to drain the water. Next, take the shirt and squeeze it to remove the water. When you've done this, the shirt should be slightly damp, but not wet.
- Feel free to be rude to shirts made of 100% polyester. Any treatment you do will also loosen stubborn fibers.
- Do not wring and twist fabrics containing cotton or wool. Natural fabrics are less stretchy, and doing so can permanently stretch the fabric.
Step 5. Stretch the t-shirt by hand until it is how you want it
Grasp the edges of the shirt and pull in all directions to stretch it. To stretch further, you can tuck your arms into the shirt or the sleeves, then pull the shirt in all directions to stretch it from the inside. Imagine the t-shirt is bread dough and you are making a family size pie. However, don't throw it up until it gets caught in the hanging fan!
- Pay special attention to areas of the shirt that are too narrow, such as the shoulders, chest, neckline, or bottom hem.
- If you're feeling tired, find another creative method for loosening your t-shirt. You can wrap the shirt around a pole, swing it like a nunchaku (ruyung), or hook one end of the shirt somewhere and pull the other end toward you.
Step 6. Use heavy objects to keep the shirt stretched while it dries
When you're happy with the shape, place the t-shirt flat, then place some books or other heavy, flat objects along the edges. This keeps the fabric of the shirt in its new shape when it dries, and won't shrink back to its original shape.
Place the t-shirt on a towel to absorb excess water and speed up the overall drying time
Step 7. Let the shirt dry on its own before you put it on
Polyester dries quickly so you won't have to wait too long. T-shirts made of mixed materials require a longer drying time. When it's dry, put on a t-shirt, and see if it changes in size. If the shirt is made of pure polyester, the new shape will last for several hours. If the shirt is made of mixed materials, the new shape will last until you wash it later.
- If you wish, you can also hang the t-shirt on the shower curtain or towel rack while drying it. The weight of the shirt and gravity will make the damp fabric grow longer.
- Fabrics from blended materials will give better results because natural fibers will stretch more easily and retain their shape for a longer time.
Warning:
Remember, the change in size is only temporary if the shirt is made of pure polyester. Fabrics made from pure polyester are sure to return to their original size later.
Method 2 of 2: Printing Wet Shirt on Body
Step 1. Wash the shirt as usual or soak it in the conditioner mixture as in the previous step
If you don't want to stretch your t-shirt manually, let your body do the work. Start by washing the shirt as usual, or soaking it in a mixture of hair conditioner and warm water for about 30 minutes. Next, squeeze the shirt to remove excess water until it becomes damp.
- Whenever you want to stretch polyester or other synthetic fabrics, always use warm water to wash them. Heat plays a major role in softening and loosening fabric fibers.
- Be careful not to be too rough when handling fabrics that have been mixed with natural materials, such as cotton and wool. This can cause the fabric to stretch excessively and permanently.
Step 2. Wear a t-shirt when it's damp
Instead of spending time tugging at a still wet t-shirt, just put it on. By placing your body in it, the shirt will stretch on its own without you having to strain yourself to do it. Another advantage, the shirt will adjust to your body shape naturally.
- If you're stretching a shirt that has buttons, make sure you've buttoned it from top to bottom for maximum stretch.
- Wearing a damp T-shirt is definitely uncomfortable, but it's very effective and can save the energy and time needed to stretch it manually.
Step 3. Move around in a damp t-shirt to stretch the fabric even more
Once you've put on the shirt, bend, lean back, twist, and stretch to loosen the fabric as much as possible. This is especially useful for loosening areas that are too narrow, such as the arms, back, and chest. If you want to stretch your t-shirt for a natural look, it's best to keep moving.
Try a short yoga session or stretch while wearing a damp t-shirt. However, do not do strenuous activities that make you sweat
Tip:
If there are areas of the shirt that are very tight and difficult to stretch, use a combination of natural movement and intensive hand tugging to work around them.
Step 4. Continue to wear the shirt until it dries
Wearing the t-shirt on your body to dry will prevent the thread from shrinking quickly. The drying process does not require a long time because body heat will quickly evaporate the moisture in the fabric. When the t-shirt is dry (or nearly dry), you're good to go for the night.
