It happens to almost everyone.The good news: knowing how to unshrink a sweater means it rarely has to be the end of the story.
A shrunken sweater isn't a ruined sweater. It just needs a little patience and a plan.
Wool fibers are remarkably resilient. When heat and agitation cause them to felt and contract, the structure hasn't broken down, it's compressed. That compression, in many cases, can be gently reversed.
Two methods work well. Use one or both.
Fill a basin with cold water and a small amount of baby shampoo. Submerge the sweater and let it soak for 12 to 24 hours. The shampoo relaxes the protein fibers, making them easier to coax back into shape.
Rinse the sweater thoroughly without wringing. Lay it flat on a clean towel and stretch the fibers evenly in all directions, paying attention to the areas that shrank most. Continue stretching at intervals as it dries.
A steamer is one of the most effective tools for reshaping shrunken wool. Hang the sweater on a sturdy hanger and work through the whole garment with a steady flow of steam, stretching gently as you go. The heat and moisture relax the fibers without the risk of further agitation.
Handheld or upright? Here is how to read your own routine and find the steamer that belongs in it.
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More steam doesn't mean better steam. When it comes to caring for your clothes, quality beats quantity.
Two methods for rescuing a shrunken sweater. Your wool still has a chance.
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