How to Fix a Sweater That Has Shrunk

When your sweater has shrunk more than a size or two, you might as well cut off the arms and use it to keep Fluffy warm next winter. But if your sweater has become just a bit too snug, try these steps to return it to its original size.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pins
• Towel
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby Shampoo
• Pins
• Large Corkboard

1. Mix 2 tbsp. baby shampoo into a sink full of warm water. The shampoo will relax natural fibers like wool.

2. Soak the sweater in the shampoo-and-water mixture for 15 minutes.

3. Without rinsing the sweater, take it out of the soapy water and roll it in a towel to remove as much moisture as possible.

4. Spread the sweater onto a large corkboard, pulling it into the size and shape you want. Fasten the sweater to the corkboard using pins, being careful not to snag the sweater.

5. Return to the sweater every several hours, restretching and repinning it as necessary, until the sweater is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid shrinkage in the first place, don't machine-wash your sweater unless the label specifically says you can. Even if you use cold water, the agitation may cause the sweater to shrink.

[ariagia]

on 6/17/2007 MY FATHER ALWAYS GENTLY STRETCHES MY SWEATERS BY STEAMING THEM. He does it so well that they come out looking better than the original!

[ariagia]

on 6/17/2007 Stretching sweater fabric gently while steaming it with an iron works, too! Have someone assist you while you steam it.

on 8/8/2006 Another way to stretch a sweater that has become a bit too short through washing, is to soak it in water (with our without the shampoo as described in the main article) and then to place it on a hanger when it's still completely wet. Be sure the hanger isn't creating bulges in the shoulder - a broad, rounded hanger is best. The weight of the wet wool will stretch out the sweater up to an inch or so.

on 3/18/2006 When washing wool or cashmere, use a mild soap (like Woolite) in cool water, but refrain from using fabric softener. Do not wring, but gently massage (like a cat does with his feet on a soft spot). Roll in a towel to remove moisture, then lay flat on a dry towel to air dry out of the bleaching sun.

on 2/10/2006 Most sweaters shrink lengthwise - sleeves and trunk become shorter. To counter that, always energetically stretch your sweaters lengthwise after washing and let it hang dry on a door or cloth wire. Because wet fibers are much stronger than dry, you can put a considerable amount of force into stretching without tearing it.