Wool products are in every person's wardrobe. Such clothes are comfortable and practical, but very sensitive to care and require delicate handling. Sometimes after another wash, owners notice that the item has lost its original appearance and shape.
You can stretch it by using some recommendations. And to avoid such a problem in the future, woolen products, sweaters in particular, need to be properly cared for.
Reasons for shrinkage of woolen items
A product may lose its attractive appearance for several reasons:
- Incorrect selection of washing mode. Many machines have a special mode for washing wool. If it is not available, then you need to choose a delicate wash so as not to spoil the item;
- Incorrect washing temperature. Before washing the product, you should study the information on the label. Usually, items made of such material are washed at a temperature of no more than 30 °C. Hot water can cause shrinkage of the product;
- incorrect choice of detergent. Wool should be washed with special detergents or liquid powder. If you don't have them at hand, you can grate laundry soap and make foam out of it. But you shouldn't use toilet soap, which contains perfumes and cosmetic additives;
- incorrect spinning and drying. It is better not to wring out woolen items of clothing at all or set the minimum speed. Do not dry items 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 of low-quality material.
Methods for stretching a sweater
If your favorite item has shrunk, become short or tight after washing, don't worry. It can be saved using simple methods. They will restore the wardrobe item without damaging the fabric.
By repeated washing
Machine-knitted items can be reanimated by washing them again. You need to put the garment in the washing machine, after placing it in a special bag and selecting the most gentle mode.
In this case, you need to use a special product that is intended for wool products. It is recommended to do without wringing the item, you should simply drain the liquid. Drying is strictly prohibited, the product should dry on a horizontal surface.
Hydrogen peroxide
Pharmaceutical products, such as hydrogen peroxide, also help stretch a wool sweater after washing. You need to dilute 2 tbsp of the preparation in cool water (10 l). Immerse the clothes in the liquid and leave for 3 hours. Then remove the sweater and dry it by wringing it out with a soft towel and laying it 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. |
| Vodka | 4 tbsp. |
| Ammonia | 12 tbsp. |
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 the product is 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 out.
Iron and vinegar
You can stretch a wool sweater after washing by using vinegar. This method is recommended for products made of mixed material with a smooth structure. Bulky knitted sweaters may be irreparably damaged after using this method.
What to do:
- Soak the garment in water, leaving the shoulders and collar dry.
- Dry the item with a soft towel. After that, hang it on a hanger.
- The dried product is laid out on a horizontal surface and lightly moistened with water again. While the item is drying, it is stretched by hand every quarter of an hour.
- After hanging the dry sweater on a hanger again, spray it with a vinegar solution (2 tablespoons of vinegar per 200 ml of water).
- Cover the item with a white damp cotton cloth and iron it using the steam function.
With the help of steam
A more gentle method is to treat the damaged item with steam. This method can restore wool or combined fabric.
Sequence of actions:
- The sweater is stuffed with fabric or a pillow is placed inside to keep the product in a taut position.
- The item is treated with a steam generator over the entire surface, increasing the tension manually.
- Leave the product in a taut position until it has completely cooled.
You can also use an iron, setting the temperature to 120° C. First, iron the item through a damp towel, then steam it on a special setting.
Water
Ordinary water will also help stretch a wool sweater after washing. Fill a basin with liquid, wet the sweater, leaving the neck and shoulders dry. After 2-3 minutes, let the excess water drain, holding the item over the bathtub. Then wrap it in a terry towel to absorb the remaining moisture. Then you can hang the damp item on a mannequin and let it dry.
Stretching over the 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, you can damage the item. Then the item should be dried.
Will dry cleaning help?
If the item is expensive and home methods do not work, it is better to take it to the dry cleaner. With the help of professional products, the wardrobe item will be freed from dirt and its original appearance will be restored. For this, special rollers or steam-air mannequins are used.
If the wool has not shrunk much or needs to be stretched a little
If the item is not badly damaged, you can put it on a mannequin, having first wetted it and carefully wrung it out. However, not every home has such devices. Therefore, to save the item, you will have to pull it on over dry clothes, which should be changed from time to time to avoid discomfort. It will take about 4 hours for the item to return to its original shape.
How to stretch a cashmere sweater?
Cashmere is the most delicate and expensive type of wool. For products made from this material, a solution of hydrogen peroxide (2 tbsp) and ammonia (1 tbsp) is suitable. Combine both components and dissolve them in 10 liters of water.
Immerse the item in the liquid for a few minutes, then remove it, squeezing it out slightly. Lay the item out on a flat surface, let it dry naturally, stretching it periodically.
Cashmere items should not be washed too often, as this will ruin them very quickly. According to experts, 1 wash per 10 socks is enough. It is essential to study the label, as it may indicate that the item can only be dry cleaned.
How to stretch a hand knitted wool sweater?
To restore the original appearance of a hand-knitted product, it is recommended to rip it apart, basting each part to a rigid base. Thick cardboard or a thick blanket will do as a base. This will allow the load to be evenly distributed, and the washed product will not need stretching. All that remains is to sew the parts.
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 clothes, 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 wardrobe item.
Rules for washing woolen items
Before washing the item, it must be prepared. The sweater should be gently shaken to remove dust, then carefully treat the inner seams with 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 use regular manicure scissors. But you should act very carefully so as not to damage the item. If you wash the sweater correctly, then you can avoid the pilling.
It is also necessary to inspect the pockets, if any, and remove them all. If there is small debris, you can use a damp cotton swab to remove it. It is advisable to remove decorations, especially metal ones. During the washing process, they can oxidize and leave rusty stains. If the sweater has a zipper, it should be fastened, and the item itself should be turned inside out.
To ensure that your wool sweater does not lose its original shape and retains an attractive appearance, When washing, you must follow some rules:
- hot water is not suitable for products made from this material, its temperature should not exceed 30 °C, otherwise the item will shrink. You should also avoid temperature changes, 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 settle for some time;
- 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;
- It is not recommended to use universal powders. Such products are not suitable for woolen products. They contain aggressive components and alkali, which damage the fibers, making them coarser. After washing, the item will become stiff and unpleasant to the body. Therefore, you should 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 dishwashing liquid with softening components. The selected product should not be poured directly onto the product, it should be added to the water, whipping up the foam. The use of bleaches and stain removers is prohibited;
- to keep clothes soft and retains its original dimensions, it is recommended to add conditioner to the water;
- Strong mechanical impact is harmful to wool. Intensive friction can result in damage to the fabric fibers, and the item will lose its attractiveness. It is better to use stain removers to remove dirt, and remove excess moisture with a soft towel. The item should also be wrung out without applying excessive force;
- Delicate cashmere is best washed as little 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 dry clean clothes with persistent stains.
Care of woolen products
A wool sweater will not have to stretch after washing if you provide it with the right care:
- drying. Wool sweaters must be dried on a horizontal surface. Otherwise, the sleeves and the garment itself may stretch out, and it will also become narrow. To restore the original appearance, you will need to wash them again and then stretch them. You cannot dry such items on radiators, heaters, or batteries. This will cause the garment to shrink. You should also avoid drying woolen clothes in the sun, as the material may fade and become rough, and the garment will shrink;
- ironing. The product should be ironed through gauze, choosing the appropriate mode. The item should be dry;
- storage. Woolen items that are not currently in use should be placed in a closet in a special bag or sack. They should not be hung on hangers, as the item of clothing may stretch. If the item is to be stored for a long time, it should be washed and dried. Do not forget about moth protection.
You should also know that intensive use can contribute to rapid wear of the item. Therefore, even your favorite sweaters should be given a “rest” from time to time, leaving them straightened out 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 items made from such materials. If you wash, dry and iron the item correctly, it will last for many years without losing its attractiveness.
Video on stretching a wool sweater
How to revive woolen items after unsuccessful washing: