How to Fix Stretched Out Shirts

Is your favorite sweater or shirt unwearable because of a washing mistake? Cotton shirts and wool sweaters can be especially difficult to maintain their original shape after a few cycles in the washing machine, and you may find that they get stretched out after continuous wear and use. If your clothes just aren't shrinking back to their original size after a wash and dry cycle, the fibers may be broken and will not spring back so easily. Here are some tips to get those clothes back in great shape.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray starch
• Organic detergent or washing solution
• At-home press
• Wooden clothes hangers
• Hair dryer

1. Wash the pieces on a cold cycle. Warm water can quickly break down fibers, especially on light wool or linen. Run these clothes on a cold cycle on the lightest wash possible to prevent damage.

2. Air dry the clothes. A tumble dryer can wear down your favorite pieces fairly quickly, so let clothes hang dry whenever possible. This can also help them 'shrink' to their near-natural shape with ease.

3. Use a hair dryer to dry the shirt. A hair dryer can help shrink shirts, especially shirt collars and cuffs. Use the hair dryer on a hot setting on a damp shirt for maximum benefits.

4. Press your shirts. Use a hot press to press the shirts to the shape you desire, and use spray starch to strengthen the fibers.

5. Hang the clothing on wooden hangers. Wooden hangers can help retain the original shape of your clothes and prevent further damage. Let these hang in a closet for a day or two to keep everything in great shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Get rid of day-to-day stains with baking soda and water or a mild scrubbing of detergent to avoid the complete wash cycle.
• Use mild detergent such as organic brands or those designed for sensitive skin to avoid excess damage.
• Overwashing clothes can quickly lead to fiber breakdown.
• Some types of fabrics cannot return to their normal shape after excessive stretching.