The woolen item shrank after washing.

The woolen item shrank after washing. Wool clothing is very popular; it's warm, durable, long-lasting, stain-resistant, hypoallergenic, and odor-resistant. However, wool fabrics have one significant drawback: they tend to shrink. If your wool item shrinks after washing, don't be alarmed. In most cases, the item can be stretched back to its original size. There are several tried-and-true methods for this. Let's look at all the existing options for restoring shrinking clothing.

Will it be possible to return to the previous size?

It's not always possible to stretch a wool item. If a knitted sweater has been heat-treated and shrunk three sizes, it's very difficult to salvage. However, it's still worth trying to restore it to its original shape.

When trying to save an item, it's important to follow a few tips to avoid permanently damaging it. Keep the following rules in mind:

First of all, try to simply wash the item again, but this time by hand;
Use only cold water for washing and rinsing;
Additionally, use a fabric softener designed specifically for wool items 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, stretch the fabric periodically to prevent it from shrinking.

To prevent wool items from shrinking, it is important to wash them in cold water on a delicate cycle or by hand using special detergents, and avoid wringing.

The more viscose and cotton your favorite sweater contains, the easier it will be to restore it to its original shape. But it's worth a try anyway. Let's look at the most popular methods for rescuing shrunken clothing.

Soak it in vinegar

What to do if you need to stretch a thick wool or cotton item. This is the most difficult case. In this situation, vinegar can be helpful. Using a vinegar solution, you can save the sweater, increasing its length and width without damaging the color. In addition to vinegar, you'll need hair conditioner. The procedure is as follows:

soak the shrunk item in cold water for 20-30 minutes;
gently, without twisting too much, squeeze the product;
Place the sweater on the tabletop and apply hair conditioner;
wait a couple of minutes, then start stretching the fabric;
rinse the sweater in cold water;
pour a few spoons of vinegar into the water;
try to stretch the material again by running a damp sponge or cloth along the direction of the pile;
Rinse the item again.

This method will help restore the shape of a thick wool garment. After washing with vinegar, it's important to dry it properly. Lay the sweater on a towel, stretching the fabric periodically.

Peroxide will help.

This pharmacy product is suitable for white and light-colored wool items. It's not recommended to restore dark fabrics this way, as it can damage the color. Here's the procedure:

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 out the product and squeeze it lightly.

In this case, there's no need to rinse the wool garment. Simply lay it out flat to dry. Be sure to stretch the sweater every 15 minutes to return it to its original size.

Other pharmaceutical chemicals

There's another method, using the "heavy artillery"—ammonia and turpentine. These can be purchased at a pharmacy or hardware store. To prepare the solution, you'll need water at 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. Soak the woolen item in the solution for about 30 minutes. Then transfer the item to a second basin of clean, room-temperature water and rinse.

Under the influence of turpentine, wool fibers become pliable and easy to stretch.

After this treatment, the wool is dried horizontally. The garment should be straightened periodically to increase its size.

Hot steam

A steam iron can help restore the shape of a wool dress or sweater. This method doesn't require rewashing, so you can restore the garment's shape in no time. Here's how to do it: let's use a steamer

turn the item inside out and lay it out on an ironing board;
straighten the product well;
cover the sweater with damp gauze;
Go over the sweater with an iron, creating steam on the fabric.

After ironing, stretch the item immediately. It's important not to overstretch and damage the wool fibers.

Cold "Test"

Soaking with ice will help you save a shrunken sweater without ruining the wool. You should cool the water to a minimum temperature and place the item in it for several hours. Periodically, you need to “shake” the product, stretching problem areas.

After soaking, remove the sweater and wrap it in a terry towel to remove excess moisture. Lay the wool garment flat to dry, allowing the edges to hang slightly.