We've all been there – that heart-sinking moment when you eagerly pull your freshly washed clothes from the dryer, only to find them tragically shrunken to doll-sized proportions. Bummer!
Though it may seem like a mistake that’s irreversible, you might be surprised to find that you can quickly and easily rescue your wardrobe and unshrink almost any type of clothing with the right remedy. And the best part? All you need is one household item to restore your garments to their former glory. Here’s the 411 on how to easily unshrink clothes like a laundry pro so you'll never again lose a favorite garment to accidental shrinking.
Watch the video above to learn how to unshrink your clothes with just one item.
How to unshrink clothes
Supplies:
- Tub or bin big enough to fit the shrunken garment
- Warm water
- 2 dry bath towels
- Gentle shampoo or baby shampoo
Steps:
- Place the shrunken item in the container.
- Fill the container with enough warm water to submerge the garment, ensuring it's fully covered.
- Add a teaspoon of shampoo to the water to relax the fabric fibers.
- Stir the solution gently, then let the garment soak for a few minutes.
- Remove the garment from the water and gently squeeze out excess water.
- Lay a dry bath towel flat on a clean surface like a countertop.
- Lay the garment flat on top of the towel.
- Roll up the towel with the garment to eliminate excess water.
- Lay the second clean, dry towel on the surface, then place the garment on it.
- Carefully stretch the garment back to its original size.
- Wash the garment on a cold cycle to refresh it.
- Allow the garment to air dry completely.
More tips to fix shrunken clothes
- The method above works best on stretchy items like t-shirts and sweatpants.
- Not all clothes can be unshrunk. If your clothes are made of a delicate fabric, such as silk or wool, it is best to take them to a professional dry cleaner.
Reviewed-approved laundry recommendations
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