Wool products are found in every person's wardrobe. Such clothes are comfortable and practical, but very sensitive to care and require delicate handling. Sometimes after the next wash, owners notice that the item has lost its original appearance and shape.
You can stretch it using some recommendations. And in order to avoid such a problem in the future, woolen products, in particular sweaters, must be properly cared for.
Reasons for shrinkage of woolen items
A product may lose its attractive appearance for several reasons:
- incorrect choice of washing mode. Many machines have a special mode for washing wool. If it is missing, then you need to choose a delicate wash so as not to spoil the item;
- Wrong washing temperature. Before washing the product, you should study the information on the tag. Typically, items made from such material are washed at a temperature of no more than 30 °C. Hot water may cause the product to shrink;
- wrong choice of detergent. Wool should be washed using special detergents or liquid powder. If you don’t have them on hand, you can rub laundry soap and make foam out of it. But you should not use toilet soap that contains perfumes and cosmetic additives;
- improper spinning and drying. It is better not to squeeze woolen wardrobe items at all or to set the speed to minimum. Do not dry things in direct sunlight. It is also not recommended to hang them on batteries or radiators;
- low quality material. A sweater that has lost its appearance after being washed may be made from low-grade material.
Air conditioner
Another little secret is that hair conditioner helps smooth out wool threads. Knowing this secret will help you if you need to stretch a sweater that has shrunk after washing.
Here's what you should do:
- Rinse the product in water at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees.
- After that, place it in a basin, anoint it with the existing hair conditioner.
Important! Make sure that the conditioner is evenly applied to the entire surface of your product.
- After 5 minutes, you can already pull the jacket, but only with your hands horizontally.
Important! The size of your product can increase by a maximum of 1.5 times.
Methods for stretching a sweater
If your favorite item shrinks, becomes short or tight after washing, don’t worry. It can be saved using simple methods. They will restore a wardrobe item without damaging the fabric.
By re-washing
An item made using machine knitting can be revived by washing it again. It is necessary to send the item of clothing to the washing machine, after placing it in a special bag and choosing the most gentle mode.
Repeated washing will help stretch a wool sweater
In this case, you need to use a special product that is intended for wool products. It is recommended to do without squeezing the item, you should simply drain the liquid. Drying is strictly prohibited; the product must dry on a horizontal surface.
Hydrogen peroxide
Pharmaceutical products, such as hydrogen peroxide, can also help stretch a wool sweater after washing. Need 2 tbsp. l. Dilute the drug in cool water (10 l). Clothes are immersed in the liquid and left for 3 hours. Then the sweater is removed and dried, wrung out with a soft towel and laid out on a flat surface.
Turpentine, alcohol and ammonia
When using this product, the item becomes elastic and can be easily stretched by hand.
Components for preparing the solution:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Water | 10 l |
| Turpentine | 4 tbsp. l. |
| Vodka | 4 tbsp. l. |
| Ammonia | 12 tbsp. l. |
It is recommended to soak the sweater in the solution for 1 hour and then rinse in clean water.
Hair conditioner
Some cosmetic products can smooth out fabric fibers. First, soak the item in cool water, then treat it with hair conditioner and immerse it in water again for 5 minutes. As a result of the product being absorbed into the fibers, the elasticity of the fabric increases.
All that remains is to rinse the item of clothing, lay it out on a horizontal surface and stretch it.
Iron and vinegar
You can stretch a wool sweater after washing by using vinegar. This method is recommended for products made of mixed materials with a smooth structure. Bulky knitted sweaters may be damaged beyond repair after using this method.
What do we have to do:
- Soak the item of clothing in water, leaving the shoulders and collar dry.
- Dry the item with a soft towel. After this, you need to hang it on hangers.
- The dried product is laid out on a horizontal surface and lightly moistened with water again. While the item is drying, stretch it with your hands every quarter of an hour.
- After hanging the dry sweater on hangers again, spray it with a vinegar solution (2 tablespoons of vinegar per 200 ml of water).
- Cover the product with a white damp cotton cloth and iron it using the steam function.
Using steam
A more gentle way is to treat the damaged product with steam. In this way, woolen or combined fabric can be restored.
Sequencing:
- The sweater is stuffed with fabric or a pillow is placed inside so that the product is in a taut position.
- The item is processed using a steam generator over the entire surface, increasing the tension manually.
- Leave the product in a tense position until it cools completely.
You can also use an iron, setting the temperature to 120° C. First, iron the product through a damp towel, then steam it in a special mode.
Water
Plain water will also help stretch a wool sweater after washing. Having filled the basin with liquid, wet the sweater, leaving the neck and shoulders dry. After 2-3 minutes. allow excess water to drain by holding the item over the bathtub. Then wrap it in a terry towel to absorb any remaining moisture. Next, you can hang the moistened item on the mannequin and let it dry.
Stretch over surface
After drying the product with a soft towel, you can lay it out on a flat surface and try to stretch it using physical force.
You need to start with the sleeves, then stretch the main part. You shouldn't pull too hard, as you can damage the item. Then the product should be dried.
Mechanical and thermal recovery method
You can restore shrunken clothing by mechanically stretching it with your hands or by attaching it to a mannequin of a suitable size.
- You need to start working by soaking the deformed product in warm water for 15-20 minutes.
- After this time, the woolen item is removed from the container and laid out on a wire rack located above the bathtub or basin.
- When the excess liquid has drained, the product is dried a little, wrapped in a terry towel, and then pulled onto the prepared mannequin.
- While the sweater is drying, you need to periodically come up and pull the sleeves and fronts down.
To stretch a wool hat, just soak it in warm water, add a little shampoo or conditioner, and stretch it onto a 3-liter jar. The product will dry and acquire the desired size.
Sometimes the problem can be solved by steaming with an iron. The ironing board is covered with damp gauze. A woolen product is laid out on it, covered with another layer of wet fabric and steamed with an iron. When wet material is heated, a powerful stream of steam is formed, which passes through the wool, slightly pushing the fibers apart.
How to stretch a cashmere sweater?
Cashmere is the most delicate and expensive type of wool. For products made from such material, a product made from hydrogen peroxide (2 tbsp) and ammonia (1 tbsp) is suitable. Having combined both components, dissolve them in 10 liters of water.
Immerse the product in the liquid for several minutes, then remove it by squeezing it lightly. Lay the item out on a flat surface and allow it to dry naturally, stretching it periodically.
Cashmere
You should not wash cashmere items too often, as this will ruin them very quickly. According to experts, 1 wash per 10 socks is enough. Be sure to study the label; it may indicate that the item can only be dry cleaned.
Using a towel
The main reason for wool and synthetic fibers to stretch is strong spinning and twisting after washing. The drum of a washing machine, spinning up to several thousand revolutions, can stretch a jumper into several sizes. Therefore, spinning in the machine is prohibited. Some manufacturers indicate this rule on labels sewn to clothing.
Squeezing wool by hand can also damage the fibers and greatly stretch the threads. An acceptable method is to squeeze out water using a terry towel. Carefully wrap the jumper in a towel and leave it for 3-4 minutes. If water continues to drip from the sweater, use a new, dry towel. After excess moisture has been absorbed, the product can be dried.
How to maintain the original appearance and size of wool clothing
In order for woolen items to serve for a long time without losing their attractiveness, they need to be properly cared for. To understand how to handle such clothing, you need to read the information on the label. It is better not to throw away the label and, if necessary, check the recommendations on it regarding the care of the item of clothing.
Rules for washing woolen items
Before washing an item, it must be prepared. The sweater should be gently shaken to remove dust, then gently brush the inside seams using a soft-bristled brush.
If there are pellets, they need to be removed. A special machine is best suited for this purpose. If such a device is not available, then you can take ordinary nail scissors. But you should act very carefully so as not to damage the item. If you wash your sweater correctly, you can avoid the lint from rolling off.
It is also necessary to inspect the pockets, if any, and remove all of them. If there is small debris, you can use a damp cotton swab to remove it. It is advisable to remove jewelry, especially metal ones. During the washing process, they can oxidize and leave rusty stains. If the sweater has a zipper, you need to fasten it and turn the item inside out.
To ensure that a wool sweater does not lose its original shape and maintains an attractive appearance, you must adhere to certain rules when washing:
- Hot water is not suitable for products made of such material ; its temperature should not exceed 30 °C, otherwise the item will shrink. Temperature changes should also be avoided, as this will lead to deformation of the fibers. When washing by hand, it is better not to use hard sewer water; it is better to pass the liquid through a filter or let it sit for a while;
- It is advisable to wash the item of clothing by hand. In this case, it is easier to control the process. When washing in a washing machine, it is important to set a special program without spinning;
- Universal powders are not recommended. Such products are not suitable for wool products. They differ in the content of aggressive components and alkali, which damage the fibers, making them coarser. After washing, the item will become hard and unpleasant to the body. Therefore, you need to use only special products that are marked “for wool.” In extreme cases, when washing by hand, you can use baby shampoo, which does not harm the fabric, or dish liquid with softening ingredients. The selected product should not be poured directly onto the product; it must be added to the water, whipping up the foam. The use of bleaches and stain removers is prohibited;
- To keep clothes soft and retain their original sizes, it is recommended to add conditioner to the water;
- Strong mechanical stress is harmful to wool. The result of intense friction can be damage to the fabric fibers, and the product will lose its attractiveness. To remove dirt, it is better to use stain removers, and remove excess moisture with a soft towel. Also, the item must be wrung out without exerting excessive force;
- Delicate cashmere is best washed as rarely as possible. If a stain appears, you can try to get rid of it by rinsing the contaminated area with cool water. It is better to send wardrobe items with persistent stains to dry cleaning.
Caring for wool products
A wool sweater will not have to be stretched after washing if you provide it with proper care:
- drying. Wool sweaters must be dried on a horizontal surface. Otherwise, the sleeves and the product itself may stretch out, which, in addition, will become narrow. To return to its original appearance, you will again need to wash it and then stretch it. You cannot dry such things on radiators, heaters, or radiators. This will cause the product to shrink. Also, you should not dry woolen clothes in the sun, as the material may fade and become rough, and the item will shrink;
- ironing The product should be ironed through gauze, choosing the appropriate mode. In this case, the item must be dry;
- storage. Woolen items that are not currently in use should be placed in a closet in a special bag or sack. You should not hang them on hangers, as the item of clothing may stretch. If long-term storage is required, the item must be washed and dried. We should not forget about means of protection against moths.
You also need to know that intensive use can cause things to wear out quickly. Therefore, even your favorite sweaters should be given a “rest” from time to time, leaving them unfolded on a flat surface for a day.
It is indeed possible to stretch a wool sweater that has changed its size after being washed, but sometimes it takes a lot of time and effort. To avoid having to do this, it is better to follow the rules for caring for things made from such materials. If you wash, dry and iron the item correctly, it will last for many years without losing its attractiveness.
Will dry cleaning help?
If you can’t stretch a wool sweater at home, you can go to a dry cleaner. Do not forget that not every service will undertake such work. If you talk to the receptionist and explain the situation, you can get consent to stretch the fabric.
Often people hear refusal due to the following reasons:
- The product contains silk thread.
- There are decorative elements on the fabric that can deteriorate after exposure to chemical stretching (brooches, beads, etc.). If the client is ready to remove decorative elements from clothing, then the product will be accepted.
Dry cleaning is a costly method, but effective and safe.
