Woolen socks sat down after washing what to do. Restoring shrunken wool garments

29.08.2019

Every housewife from time to time has to puzzle over the question of how to stretch a woolen thing that has shrunken after washing. There are many ways, but not all of them will be effective and useful for you, since a lot depends on the composition of the material and the degree of damage to the knitted item. We will analyze the most popular methods for restoring clothes, as well as the main rules for caring for woolen products.

Causes of wool shrinkage

Some wardrobe items require special care and handling. These include, for example, clothing made of wool. To keep the warmth and softness of the woolen product, you must follow the instructions of the manufacturer, who places information on the rules for washing, ironing and care on the label. It is advisable to read these recommendations before buying and always remember them:

Wool clothes do not like high temperatures, therefore, in order for them not to shrink, they must be washed in water not hotter than 30 degrees.
For washing, it is recommended to use special products, for example, liquid or gel-like products for wool and silk.
In order to preserve the structure and not spoil the woolen threads, a gentle spin is required. Woolen garments must not be twisted or strongly squeezed.
Dry only in a straightened state in a horizontal form away from heaters (at room temperature), otherwise the thing may stretch out unevenly.

But sometimes, even following all these recommendations, a jacket or favorite dress can still shrink after washing. Let's figure out whether it is possible to correct the situation and save the damaged thing that has sat down, and how to give it a second life, stretching it to its original size.

Stretching force

To stretch a woolen thing that has sat down after washing, you will have to make a lot of effort. There are many ways, but it is not always possible to achieve the desired result. If the product consists of 100 percent natural fibers, it is extremely difficult to restore the original shape at home. But not everything is lost if the composition of the thing that sat down after washing contains synthetics, even in small quantities.

Below are some options associated with physical activity, that is, with mechanical stretching of a knitted product:

In order to stretch a woolen item that has shrunken after washing, you need to leave it in cold water for 15 minutes, then gently wring out excess water without effort so that it does not drain. Spread out the sweater or scarf on a dry terry towel (it is better to use an unnecessary one, as it can be stained). During the drying process, periodically change a wet towel for a dry one, while slightly stretching the knitted thing in all directions.
If the product has a smooth surface, steaming will help restore it after washing. Lay out the item on the ironing board, put damp gauze or a piece of cotton fabric on top. Iron with force with an iron, while stretching the item in the desired direction. A greater effect can be achieved by turning on the steam function on the iron.
A more complicated, but no less effective way: a slightly wrung out thing needs to be laid out on a dense fabric, stretched to the required size and tacked with threads along the edge. Then fix the resulting base with the sewn product on the prepared wooden frame and leave to dry completely.
Here is another option that is suitable for stretching a hat that has sat down: after soaking in cold water, simply put the product on a glass jar of a suitable size or a ball. When the hat dries, it will again acquire the required size.
Not entirely safe for health, but an effective way is to stretch the thing that has shrunk right on the body. After washing, put on a damp sweater and do not take it off until it is completely dry. If a mannequin of a suitable size is available, then it is better to use it by attaching weights to the sleeves and bottom of the product.
If the product has become shorter after washing, but has not decreased in width, then it can be stretched during the drying process. To do this, hang a wet thing after rinsing on a coat hanger. Under the influence of its own gravity or additional weight, for example, clothespins attached to the sleeves and bottom, the clothes will stretch and take on their original form.

The use of chemicals

In addition to physical stretching, chemical agents will help return the woolen thing to its previous size. The most accessible and proven substance for years is hydrogen peroxide. For 10 liters of cool water, it needs no more than two tablespoons. It is necessary to rinse the shrunken clothes in the resulting solution and leave there for 1.5 hours. After that, dry the thing, spreading it out on a terry towel, periodically stretching if necessary.

Important! This method is suitable only for light-colored items of clothing, while the proportions must be strictly observed.

Wash with wool conditioner or shampoo for coarse hair:

Dissolve a small amount of a special product or shampoo in a bowl of warm water and soak your shrunken clothes there for 20 minutes.
After that, wash, wring out lightly and lay out on a terry towel to dry.

After washing with conditioner, the fibers of the wool fabric will not only become softer and fluffier, but also more pliable when stretched, and the item will return to its original size.

Ammonia will help to cope with a slight shrinkage. About two tablespoons will be required for a basin of cool water, soak the product in the resulting solution for 1 hour. Then rinse and lay out on a dry towel.

You can stretch a shrunken knitted thing in several stages:

First, prepare a solution of 2 liters of cool water and 20 grams of ordinary baking soda.
Stir thoroughly and soak the product for 12 hours.
After that, wash with the powder available in the household, rinse and soak in a new solution: take 10 tablespoons of tartaric acid for 2 liters of cold water.
In this prepared special product, you need to leave the thing for 2 hours and constantly turn it over so that the liquid penetrates from all sides.
Then, as usual, rinse in warm water and spread on a terry towel until completely dry.

Another difficult, but proven by the older generation, way to return a knitted product that has shrunken after washing to a normal size:

The solution is prepared in the following way: for 5 liters of water at a temperature of 30 degrees, we take 1 tablespoon of turpentine and 1 spoon of cologne or alcohol, add 3 tablespoons of ammonia.
Mix all this well and rinse the shrunken jacket or hat there, leave for 1 hour.

After such a bath, your clothes will become softer, and the fabric itself will become more elastic. Remember to rinse thoroughly in warm water and dry flat.

Having tried the suggested products on your damaged clothes, you can achieve the desired results, but in the future it is very important to continue to follow the recommendations for caring for wool products. And if these methods did not help to return the product to its original size, then there is always an option to give things to dry cleaning. Professional processing, of course, will cost more, but the result will be guaranteed.

Stretching a thing that has shrunken after washing is a painstaking, time-consuming and often risky task. Before stretching clothes, you should consider whether the chosen method takes into account the characteristics of the fabric from which the garment is made.

Mechanical

There are several ways to stretch things with your own hands using the physical properties of water and air.

Soak loose clothing in cold water for 15 minutes. Then, without wringing, lay it out on a horizontal surface, slightly stretching it with your hands. Place a microfiber towel underneath. The item should dry naturally.
Wash clothes in the machine on a delicate cycle (no spin and at the lowest temperature). Detergent does not need to be added. After completing the procedure, hang the item on a hanger and dry in an upright position. During drying, it is important to monitor the symmetry of paired parts. Choosing this method, you should take into account the features of a particular model of the washing machine.
For this method, you need an iron with a steam mode. Lay out clothes previously soaked in cold water horizontally. Iron it with an iron. You need to steam the thing without pressure. After completing the procedure, leave the clothes to dry in a straightened state.

Chemical

With this method, improvised household products based on chemical compounds are used.

In 10 liters of cool water, dilute 6 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Leave the shrunken wardrobe item in the solution for an hour, and then wash it in the machine under gentle mode.
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of vodka, 3 tablespoons of ammonia and 1 tablespoon of turpentine in 5 liters of water. Rinse clothes in the prepared solution and dry on hangers.
Prepare a solution of 1 liter of water and 10 g of baking soda. Soak clothes in it for 12 hours. Wash the item in water with a small amount of powder. Then soak the clothes for 2 hours in a mixture of 2 liters of water and 10 tablespoons of vinegar. Rinse thoroughly and dry afterwards.

Tip: Before using any of the above solutions, test it on an inconspicuous area of clothing. Some liquids can adversely affect the color and structure of the fabric. It is equally important to strictly adhere to the formulation of the solution.

Fabric types

Each fabric requires specific care. Violation of the rules of care leads to the loss of an attractive appearance. During washing, the shrinkage effect threatens cotton, silk, linen, wool and a number of synthetic materials. Consider how to avoid shrinkage of certain fabrics and what to do if this occurs.

Cotton

You can restore the shape of a shrunken cotton shirt with an vinegar solution:

mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar per 10 liters of water;
dip the product in it for 10 minutes;
wash clothes on a delicate cycle and hang them on a hanger.

Wet cloth should be straightened and stretched from time to time.

When leaving, you should follow some rules:

Cotton items should not be washed at temperatures above 60°C.
Stains must be removed before machine washing.
New 100% cotton clothes are washed in cool water and dried naturally.
If the fabric is very thin, set the delicate washing mode or the “hand wash” program.

Linen

rinse in warm water;
hang to dry without wringing;
iron a slightly damp product, making pulling movements with an iron.

Hard water and harsh cleaning products are detrimental to flax. The higher the quality of linen, the less chance of shrinkage. High-quality linen is distinguished by a flat surface, a dense weave of threads and a strong color.

Linen clothes can be machine washed only if the clothes have a special designation.
Exceptionally delicate mode will do.
The water temperature should not exceed 40 °C.

Wool

The safest way to restore woolen products to their original appearance is to use a special wool conditioner:

2-3 caps of conditioner should be diluted in warm water;
leave shrunken clothes in this solution for 15 minutes;
taking out the thing, you need to let the water drain, and remove the remaining moisture with a terry towel.

Dry the product on another towel. To stretch to the desired size, you can use pins or buttons that attach the item to the towel.

Caring for wool garments:

Wash at low water temperature (over 30°C).
Use non-aggressive detergents.
Avoid machine wash.
Owners of woolen sweaters should acquire a specialized powder and, in the absence of a special program in the functionality of the machine, wash their favorite things by hand.
Woolen coats can be dry-cleaned without hesitation.

Silk and synthetics

Compliance with the rules will help to avoid shrinkage:

Silk does not like rough mechanical action, high temperature and alkaline detergents.
Wash the fabric by hand at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C.
Rinse silk items should be 2 times: first in ordinary water, then - in water with the addition of a softener.
From machine washing, even with a delicate mode, it is better to refuse.
Expensive silk clothes are best sent to the dry cleaners.
High-temperature washing is contraindicated not only for natural, but also for synthetic fabrics.
Shrinkage threatens products made from nylon and polyester. They are not recommended to be washed at temperatures above 40°C. Lycra, acrylic and spandex do not shrink.

Jeans made of cotton fabrics, which include denim, are often deformed after washing. If the fabric contains elastane, jeans should not sit down.

Stretching shrunken jeans will help ironing. A hot steam iron will soften the fabric.
Pants with the addition of elastic materials can be stretched directly on the body, after wetting problem areas.
An excellent assistant in the fight against shrinkage is a special belt expander. This tool allows you to stretch jeans to the desired size.

To keep jeans from shrinking in size during washing, you must adhere to the following rules:

Give preference to hand washing.
Do not wash jeans at temperatures above 30°C.
Avoid machine drying.
Do not dry jeans in direct sunlight.

Tip: The Shrink to fit mark means that the jeans shrink after the first wash and no longer change shape. In such a situation, you should buy a pair one size larger.

How to prevent fabric shrinkage

Preventing shrinkage is much easier than restoring clothes to their original state. The main rules to follow are:

Follow the instructions on the clothing labels.
Avoid washing in hot water (30 ° C is the optimum temperature).
Do not dry clothes near heaters.
Use tumble dry with care.

Why do clothes shrink

Shrinkage is a reduction in the size of clothes when washed. The list of the most common causes of shrinkage includes:

Incorrectly selected spin mode.
High water temperature.
Fabric features.
Drying in a washing machine or on a heater.

The basis of the above errors is ignoring the recommendations for caring for clothes. The necessary information is encrypted in special symbols on the labels.

Washing recommendations contain an image of a rectangular container, on which you can often see the allowable temperature. Washing icons vary by manufacturer. Points can be used instead of digital designation of water temperature.

The ability to restore clothes after washing is useful to everyone. Although it is better not to take it to extreme measures, but to take care of things right away.

Instruction

Most likely, it will not be possible to restore a woolen shrunken thing. It is no longer possible to return it to its former state, because woolen, and any other threads do not stretch. Things from, or mixed (natural and) fibers can be saved. Soak the item for 10-15 minutes so that it is properly wet.

Now put it in the washing machine, pour the powder into the container, set the program for gentle washing, set the temperature (no more than 30 degrees) and start washing. At the spinning stage of the washing machine, the thing should stretch. It is important here that the fabric as a result of washing becomes slightly damp, and not wet.

After the cycle is completed, pull out the item, gently pull it a little more to the desired position and hang it on a hanger. Further drying should take place in an upright position. Look at it periodically and shake it.

note

In no case do not dry damaged clothes after washing in a horizontal position, as it will shrink even more. Carefully monitor the temperature of the water, it should be either cold or slightly warm.

Helpful advice

When buying woollens, remember that they can shrink a lot, so choose one size larger than your actual size. Sometimes shrunken sweaters and jeans, in order to return them to their original appearance, are dried wet right on themselves. The procedure is not pleasant, but what can you do if you really want to return a shrunken thing.

Sources:

stretch dress

It happens that by chance in a washing machine with linen that should be washed at a high temperature, there was a loved one, for whom hot water is "death". spoiled thing some housewives simply throw it away, but you can restore it.

Instruction

If a thing was knitted, you can try to save it as follows. Soak it in warm water for 10 minutes. It should get wet so that it can then be put in a centrifuge and squeezed out. This is a prerequisite, so you can only wet thing and not wet. As soon as you take it out of the centrifuge, start stretching it to the desired size. After such a stretch, you can not put thing to dry on some flat surface, otherwise you risk getting back your shrunken thing. Further drying should take place in limbo. For this you need to place thing on hangers and leave to dry further, shaking it occasionally. When it dries, you need to stroke it and evaluate the result.

If thing woolen, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to do something, since the threads do not have to be pulled. However, if your favorite item is not made of wool, for example, you can try to restore it to its original form by stretching. Wet for this thing you need to try with your hands in different directions. Drying is also desirable in a hanging position, because lying on the surface of the dryer, it can easily "sit down" back.

You can also try to restore the shrunken thing with the help of an iron. Iron with steam and at the same time stretch on the ironing board to the desired size.

Alternatively, try this method. The thing must be soaked in cold vinegar water and put on a towel. In order for it to dry properly, first you need to give it the necessary shape with your hands, and then pin it to the towel with needles along the contour.

Another option is to dissolve, wind the threads and tie a new one. thing the same model as before. But this is a radical step that can only be done if you know how to knit or you have a craftsman friend who can restore you in this way.

Generic Methods

There are several universal tricks that allow you to return the previous look. They are suitable for any items: sweaters, trousers, hats, scarves, gloves. These methods are tried first because they do not harm the material.

Soak

Small shrinkage is eliminated by a simple delicate method: aging in cold water. For this:

Pour cold water into the basin and immerse clothes in it for 15 minutes.
Remove and lightly wring out just to remove excess moisture.
A terry towel is spread on a hard horizontal surface (table, floor), wet wardrobe items are laid out on top.
As the towels get wet, they are replaced with dry ones, and the clothes are stretched by hand to the desired size.

Soaking with conditioner

If plain water failed, another method is used. You will need any hair conditioner or a special laundry conditioner:

Cold water is poured into the basin.
Dissolve 30-50 ml of balm in it.
Place the clothes in the basin for 15 minutes.
Squeeze lightly to avoid dripping.
A terry towel is laid out on a flat horizontal surface, things are laid out on top.
As the towels get wet, they are changed to dry ones, and the product is stretched by hand to give the desired look.

Soaking with ammonia

The technology is the same, only ammonia is required. It is bought in a pharmacy:

A few tablespoons of ammonia are dissolved in a basin of cold water.
Wool is immersed in the solution for an hour.
A terry towel is laid out on a flat surface, on which a slightly wrung out product is placed.
Towels are replaced with dry ones as they get wet, and the material is pulled out by hand to increase the size.

Soaking with hydrogen peroxide

Peroxide helps to restore the elasticity of the fibers, which helps to return the desired shape to the product. Hydrogen peroxide is sold in pharmacies.

This technique is only suitable for a light wardrobe, as the paint turns pale from exposure to the product:

Add a tablespoon of peroxide to a basin of cool water.
The clothes are soaked for 30 minutes.
Slightly wring out and lay out on a clean terry towel, giving the hands the desired look.
As the towels get wet, they are replaced with dry ones, and the thing is pulled out to increase the size.

The best method for shaping the shape is to pin it to a flat, hard surface. In this case, you do not have to stretch manually.

All soaking and stretching techniques are the same in their technology, the difference is only in the components of the solution. Wool perfectly absorbs moisture, so complete drying takes a long time (up to a day). You can not speed up this process by drying with a hairdryer, fan, hanging on the battery. This will deform the fibers.

Ironing

This technology is convenient to use for jackets, jumpers, sweaters. You will need an iron with a steam function and a clean, thin cloth, such as gauze:

Place a clean, dry jacket on the ironing board. The board is pre-covered with a clean cloth.
Gauze is moistened and squeezed.
Cover the product with wet gauze.
Steam with an iron through gauze, stretching with your hands in the right directions.

Using the mannequin

If there is a mannequin in the house, they can stretch the sweater after washing. They do it like this:

The jumper is soaked in cold water, if necessary, adding peroxide, ammonia or balm.
Slightly wring out and put on the mannequin.
Hands stretch along the length and secure with pins, sticking them into the body.

In this way it is convenient to stretch the sleeves, trousers, the length of sweaters and jumpers.

If there is no mannequin, it is advised to dry on yourself. This is unpleasant and leads to the risk of getting sick, so it is better not to use this method.

Ways to increase the size of specific things

Depending on which item of clothing is damaged, other methods of restoration are also selected. The soaking technology is the same for all knitted items; the techniques of stretching during the drying process are different.

A cap

To increase a shrunken hat, you will need a three-liter glass jar or a device similar in size:

Soak the hat in cold water. You can add hair balm, special conditioner or ammonia.
Squeeze lightly.
Pull over an upside down jar.
Leave until completely dry.

Instead of a jar, you can use another suitable accessory: a pan, a ball, a balloon. For children's hats, use a smaller jar, for example, a two-liter jar.

Socks, mittens, gloves

Small accessories are shaped in a different way. You will need a spray bottle, vinegar, newspapers or other paper:

Soak socks in clean cold water. If desired, add hair balm, conditioner or ammonia.
Squeeze lightly and sprinkle with vinegar from a spray bottle. Use 6 or 9% vinegar. If there is only essence, it is diluted to a weak concentration.
Socks (mittens, gloves) are tightly stuffed with newspapers or other paper, giving the desired shape. The paper is periodically replaced with dry paper.

Instead of newspapers, any filler is suitable that will give the required shape to the socks.

For light hair, this method is not suitable. Paint from newsprint will ruin the material. For light, clean paper is used.

Trousers

Pants can sit down in length. In this case, they are pulled out by hanging loads.

Special hangers for trousers with clothespins are suitable:

Pants are kept in a basin with cool water for 15 minutes. For a better effect, add peroxide, ammonia or balm.
Press without twisting.
Hang over the bath by the belt.
A hanger is attached to the bottom of the trousers with clothespins.
A load is hung on the hook of the hanger, which will stretch the legs.
Leave until completely dry.

Instead of hangers, other devices are also suitable. The goal is to pull the legs down.

Coat or jacket

Stretching a jacket or coat is not easy due to the size and density. The presence of a lining adds complexity. For this technique, you need a dense fabric, threads, needles, pins.

A place for drying is chosen and prepared in advance - a clean floor carpet:

The jacket is soaked in cool water with the addition of peroxide, ammonia or conditioner.
On a hard, flat surface, a dense fabric is laid out: a tablecloth, a sheet.
The jacket is sewn to the canvas along the contour, stretching it to the desired shape.
The material is stretched as far as possible and secured with tailor's pins on the floor carpet. One person pulls the structure, the second attaches the pins.
After complete drying, the jacket is steamed with an iron.

Reasons for shrinkage

Wool is a delicate material that requires special care. To avoid deformation of products, washing is carried out according to certain rules:

Low temperature (30 degrees). Hot water causes the fibers to shrink.
Special detergent. Apply gels with the appropriate mark. They do not contain harsh chemicals that destroy the structure.
Suitable program in the washing machine. Usually it is called "wool", "silk" or "delicate fabrics". These programs are set when cleaning demanding materials. If the device does not have such programs, the parameters are set independently. To do this, choose a short cycle at a minimum temperature, with a low number of revolutions and no spin.
Drying in a horizontal form, away from heaters. Hot air causes the material to deform.

Before cleaning, study the label. It always indicates the permissible influences: suitable temperature, permitted chemicals, drying and ironing rules. Some items cannot be washed, only dry cleaned.

Caring for Refurbished Items

If a thing that has shrunken after washing has been stretched, further care for it should be careful. Once deformed fibers will change their shape again if washed and dried incorrectly.

Rules for the care of clothes after deformation:

Do not use a washing machine. In the future, you can wash products only by hand, with gentle movements.
Use special detergents, preferably liquid or gel.
Do not squeeze or twist. Only light compression is allowed to remove liquid.
Dry horizontally on an absorbent cloth.
Avoid batteries, hair dryers, fans to speed up drying.
Iron through gauze, at a minimum temperature, without steaming.

These rules are universal for all knitted wardrobe items, but for those who have previously sat down, their observance is especially important.

It is not always possible to stretch a shrunken woolen thing. But in many cases, home recovery methods return the original size. For this, techniques of chemical and physical influence are used: they are soaked in special solutions and stretched during the drying process. The combination of these methods restores wool garments to the desired look.

What to do if a wool sweater has shrunk due to improper care? Is it possible to return your favorite clothes to their original appearance? In this article, you will learn how to stretch wool clothes.

Proper care for wool

Just because a woolen item is perfect to wear doesn't make it an advantage in terms of care. On the one hand, it does not wrinkle, rarely gets dirty, but on the other hand, it requires special conditions in terms of washing, ironing and storage.

Wash.

Washing woolen clothes is best done by hand. By the way, there are special powders designed for washing woolen products, so it is advisable to use them. When washing by hand, the water should not be warmer than 30 degrees. Upon completion, the thing does not need to be squeezed out. But if the water drains heavily, then you can get wet with a terry towel.

In cases where you have to turn to the washing machine, the operating mode should be set to either manual or delicate. The temperature regime is chosen similar (30 degrees).

Ironing.

You need to iron without steam and using gauze. The thing must be dry, and do not forget to set the iron to a special mode.

Storage.

In summer, woolen things should be stored in a closet, not forgetting about moth protection measures.

Without observing the conditions of care, the thing can simply be spoiled. Very often it settles, and it becomes problematic to return its original appearance. But, using a little tricks, you can try to do it.

Stretching a woolen thing: simple and radical ways

So, what methods are applicable at home? The easiest option: you can rinse the thing in warm water and hang it on a hanger. Under the influence of the gravity of the water, it will stretch itself. But in order not to end up with a couple of extra sizes, it is better to periodically wring out the water from the sleeves and edges of the clothes.

There is another similar method: a wet thing is laid out on a large piece of dense fabric, equated to it with the edges to the desired size and sewn together. Next, the entire structure must be left until it dries completely.

There are also more radical ways. You need to take vinegar and stir it in water in a ratio of 2: 1. A thing is dipped into the resulting solution and left in it all night. The next morning, you need to pour the solution into a bowl, put the product there and boil everything for half an hour. Then the thing must be left to dry, but during drying it is advisable to periodically stretch it.

Woolen things require a delicate approach

Hydrogen peroxide is also a good helper in this matter. You need to take two tablespoons of peroxide and stir them with ten liters of cold water. In the resulting solution, the woolen item must be rinsed, trying to stretch it with your hands, and then leave it for two hours. After the specified time, the thing is laid out on a terry towel and dried. During this time, it is necessary to manually stretch it periodically.

Grandma's Methods has many recipes on how to stretch sagging woolen clothes. Among them there is another miracle solution. What may be needed:

five liters of water at room temperature,

three tablespoons of ammonia,

one tablespoon of turpentine,

one tablespoon of cologne.

All of the above are mixed. A thing is lowered into the resulting mixture and left in it for an hour. After that, everything is taken out, rinsed in ordinary cold water and dried. Such a solution allows you to achieve the elasticity of the woolen product and softness, which will return it to its original appearance.

If, for example, a woolen sweater, the donkey is not strong, then you can try the simplest method - steaming with an iron. Just take a sweater, turn on the iron on a low temperature and steam it. If in a sweater or jacket you only need to stretch the sleeves, then you can either try this method, or make it even easier: wet them, stretch them by hand and dry them.

There is one costly method, so if you have extra money, you can contact the dry cleaners, where professionals will take over. But it must be taken into account that this method will work one hundred percent only if the item is completely made of wool, without the use of additional material.

The product can be stretched on itself. The only question is how long you can carry wet woolen clothes. Although, when nothing helps, why not try this method for yourself. It definitely won't get worse, but it will definitely get better.

All of these "rescue" options can really help. But faced with such a problem once, one simple rule will definitely be learned - reading the label before washing, which describes in detail and shows how to do and what not to do.