How to Make a Sweatshirt More Comfortable

On a cold night, nothing beats wearing a comfortable sweatshirt -- except wearing a more comfortable sweatshirt. You can take your favorite sweatshirt and make it even more comfortable with just a few simple adjustments. You can use the washer and dryer to make a sweater more comfortable, and you can make changes to the clothing itself. The danger of making your favorite sweatshirt more comfortable is that you might never want to dress up again.

Things You'll Need

• 1 c. vinegar
• 1/4 c. baking soda
• Fabric softener
• Laundry detergent
• Dryer sheet
• Chalk
• Scissors

Instructions

1. 

   Soften your sweatshirt with a special final rinse.

   Wash your sweatshirt in warm water with detergent and a nice-smelling fabric softener. When the washing machine cycle gets to the final rinse, add 1 cup of vinegar or 1/4 cup of baking soda. Vinegar and baking soda both act as fabric softener and reduce static cling. Your sweatshirt will feel softer than ever.

2. 

   Your sweatshirt will be soft and warm when it's done drying.

   Dry the sweatshirt in a clothes dryer instead of hanging it on a clothesline. The warm air and the movement from the dryer will make it softer. For an even softer feel, add a fabric softener dryer sheet to the load.

3. 

   Use sharp scissors for cutting your sweatshirt.

   Turn the sweatshirt inside out and lay it flat on its front. Fold the sweatshirt in half so the two arms are flat against each other. Make a mark where the crease is on the front side of the sweatshirt. This mark is the very middle of the front of the sweatshirt. Use scissors to cut a slit on the middle line of the sweatshirt. Start by cutting straight down about 2 inches. Try on the sweatshirt to see how it feels. The slit in the front helps to keep the sweatshirt from pulling on your neck. If you want a little more breathing room, cut a little farther. After you wash the sweatshirt the next time, the edges of the slit will roll slightly but they won't fray.

4. Cut the cuffs off the sleeves just above the seam line. Eliminating the cuffs will give the sweatshirt a relaxed look and will minimize tightness. When you wash the sweatshirt, the raw edge of the sleeves will roll up.

5. Remove the tags and care labels from the sweatshirt. Getting as close as you can to the seam without cutting it, cut the tags from the back of the neck. There usually is a laundry tag along one of the side seams as well. Use the same technique to remove the side seam tag. Read the care labels before discarding them.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice cutting a sweatshirt you don't care about too much before you cut your favorite sweatshirt.

• Don't use fabric softener if you have sensitive skin or are prone to eczema.

References

• Eco-cycle: Alternative Cleaners and Recipes
• University of Pittsburgh; Clothing Materials; Keith Conover; March 22,2007
• Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Care Labels and Your Clothes