Foolproof tricks to remedy shrunken clothes in the washer or dryer

A few simple tricks to solve the problem of shrunken or felted clothes in the washer or dryer

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A few simple tricks to solve the problem of shrunken or felted clothes in the washer or dryer

Using the washing machine incorrectly or drying clothes often with the dryer will surely have happened to shrink clothes. So let's find out some tricks to remedy the damage depending on the fabric.

Finding that a favorite T-shirt, sweater, or jeans have shrunk during washing or drying is a really nasty surprise. Faced with this eventuality, however, we must not be discouraged as there are a number of methods to try to try to solve the problem.

Shrinking clothes is not that difficult, in fact we often forget to pay attention to the labels of the clothes that contain fundamental instructions regarding washing and drying. We thus happen to wash at too high temperatures or put clothes in the dryer that should be avoided.

But once the damage is done, can we reshape and resize the clothes back to their original condition? The answer is yes, there are several tricks to experiment with.

Index

The tricks to remedy cramped clothes

The first thing to do is consider the material with which the garment that has shrunk is made. If it is wool, cotton, silk, linen or something else, the difference in solving the problem can be significant.

So let's see the tricks to use depending on the materials:

Natural fibers (cotton, silk, linen)

The most common natural fibers include popular materials such as cotton, silk and linen, these are extremely easy to accidentally shrink, even when careful. Fortunately, however, it's also relatively easy to get them back to their original shape and size.

The trick to getting clothes made of these fibers back to normal is to fill a basin with warm water and add a few tablespoons of baby shampoo. Then the garment is immersed inside, leaving it to soak for half an hour before rinsing. This is then spread out on a towel and rolled up until it is still damp.

Finally, you have to spread and secure the garment by the edges or use heavy objects to stretch the material during the drying process.

Wool and Cashmere

Wool and, in particular cashmere, are among the most delicate fibers that tend to felter if the necessary precautions are not used. If you have shrunk a garment made with these materials it is essential not only to resize it but also to reshape it.

Also in this case it is necessary to get a basin filled with warm water inside which to insert two tablespoons of vinegar. Leave the garment to soak for 30 minutes but, from time to time, while it is still immersed, it is advisable to lengthen the dress, pulling it slightly.

After the time has elapsed, it should be wrung out well, removing as much water as possible, and then filled with towels that will help bring it back to its original shape while drying. Once wet, it should normally be spread out to dry.

If the operation does not have the desired results, you can always opt for "recycling" using the garment in question to make felt or homemade boiled wool.

Denim

Difficult but not impossible to shrink denim clothing, the fabric of jeans. Today, most “denim” garments are blended with other materials such as polyester or elastane, which makes them more susceptible to shrinkage during washing. This is also the reason why most of the newly worn jeans are very tight but tend to loosen as they are used.

There is a curious but impractical way to get jeans back to normal: put them on and then sit in the bath in lukewarm water. Fortunately, there is a good alternative: lay the jeans flat on the floor or a large surface, making sure the legs are well apart.

It is then necessary to fill a spray bottle with warm water to spray on the jeans section by section. Once wet, use your hands to stretch the various parts of the garment in order to loosen the fabric. After doing this hang the item to air dry.

Synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon)

Synthetic fibers are created from polymers made by chemical synthesis. Unlike their alternatives, these fibers are a little more sensitive, which means special care must be taken when trying to restore the fabric to its original size and shape. You can try filling a basin with warm water by adding just a tablespoon of baby shampoo.

The garment must remain immersed for no more than 20 minutes. Once removed it is essential not to wring to dry it. Instead, you should immediately begin to gently stretch the garment while it is still wet. Once done, the garment should be placed on a flat surface, fixed by the edges and left to dry.

Have you ever experimented with any of these methods?

Fonte: One stop dry cleaners /Reader’s Digest