Woolen item shrunk after washing

Woolen item shrunk after washing Clothes made from wool are very popular; they are warm, strong, durable, stain-resistant, hypoallergenic, and odor-resistant. However, woolen fabrics have one significant drawback - their tendency to shrink. If a woolen item shrinks after washing, don’t be upset. In most cases, the product can be stretched, returning it to its original size. There are several methods that have been proven over the years. Let's look at all the existing options for restoring shrunken clothing.

Will it be possible to return to the previous size?

Not in every case it will be possible to stretch a wool item. If a knitted sweater has been subjected to high-temperature treatment and “shrinked” three sizes, it is very difficult to save it. However, it is still worth trying to return to its previous appearance.

When trying to save a thing, it is important to adhere to some nuances so as not to completely ruin the product. Remember the following rules:

first of all, just try to wash the item again, only by hand;
use only cold water for washing and rinsing;
additionally use a conditioner designed specifically for woolen products to soften the fabric;
do not wring out the wool, lightly shake the item after rinsing and lay it out to dry on a terry towel;
During the drying process, periodically stretch the fabric so that it does not “shrink”.

To prevent a wool item from shrinking, it is important to wash it in cold water on a delicate cycle or by hand, using special products, and avoid spinning.

The more viscose and cotton there is in your favorite sweater, the easier it will be to return the sweater to its original appearance. But it's worth a try anyway.Let's present the most popular methods for saving “shrunken” clothes.

Soak in vinegar

What to do if you need to stretch something made of thick wool or cotton. This is the most difficult case. In such a situation, table vinegar can help. Using a vinegar solution, you can save the sweater by increasing it both in length and width without harming the color. In addition to acetic acid, you will need a hair conditioner. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

Soak the shrunken item in cold water for 20-30 minutes;
gently, without twisting too much, wring out the product;
Lay the sweater on the countertop and apply hair conditioner;
wait a couple of minutes, then start stretching the fabric;
rinse the jacket in cold water;
pour a few tablespoons of vinegar into the water;
again try to stretch the material by moving a moistened sponge or rag along the pile;
Rinse the product again.

This method will help restore the shape of a thick woolen item. After washing with vinegar, it is important not to forget about proper drying. Lay the sweater on a towel and periodically stretch the fabric.

Peroxide will help

The pharmaceutical product is suitable for white and light-colored wool items. It is not recommended to restore dark fabrics in this way - the color can be ruined. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

pour 8 liters of cool water into a basin, add 4 tablespoons of three percent hydrogen peroxide;
soak the cardigan or dress in the solution for 1.5 hours;
take the product out and squeeze it lightly.

In this case, there is no need to rinse the wool item. All that remains is to spread it out on a flat surface for further drying. Be sure to stretch your sweater every 15 minutes to return it to its original size.

Other pharmaceutical chemistry

There is another way, namely, “heavy artillery” - ammonia and turpentine. You can purchase the products at a pharmacy or hardware store. To prepare the solution, you will need water at a temperature of 20-22°C and two basins.

Pour 6 liters of water into the first container, add 150 ml of ammonia and 50 ml of turpentine. The wool product is soaked in the solution for literally 30 minutes. Next, you need to transfer the item into a second basin with clean water at room temperature and rinse.

When exposed to turpentine, wool fibers become pliable and can be easily stretched.

After this treatment, the wool is dried in a horizontal position. The product should be straightened periodically to increase its size.

Hot steam

An iron with a steam function can help restore the shape of a woolen dress or sweater. This method does not require repeated washing, so clothes can be restored in the shortest possible time. The algorithm of actions is as follows: let's use a steamer

turn the item inside out and place it on an ironing board;
straighten the product well;
cover the sweater with damp gauze;
run the iron over the jacket, dousing the fabric with steam.

After the iron mark, you need to immediately stretch the item. It is important not to overdo it and damage the wool fibers.

"Test" by cold

“Ice” soaking will help save a shrunken sweater without damaging the wool. You should cool the water to the minimum temperature and put the item in it for several hours. Periodically you need to “slow down” the product, stretching the problem areas.

After soaking, you need to take out the sweater, wrap it in a terry towel, this will remove excess moisture. Next, the wool item should be laid out horizontally for further drying, so that the edges hang down slightly.