How to Stretch Out Clothes & Prevent Future Shrinkage

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Learn how to unshrink your clothes with this guide
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Nothing is more frustrating than taking your clothes out of the dryer to discover they’ve shrunk in the wash. Luckily, many fabrics can be stretched out, so there’s still hope for your jeans, sweatshirt, or dress. For this article, we interviewed laundry specialists Rani Gorgis and Ayad Mirjan to teach you all the best ways to stretch clothes by using baking soda and vinegar, baby shampoo or conditioner, or plain water. Plus, learn how to prevent clothes from shrinking and what causes them to shrink in the first place.

How to Make Clothes Bigger

  • Soak natural fabrics in baking soda and water, then stretch them out and rinse with vinegar.
  • Soak knit fabrics in warm water and conditioner or baby shampoo, then stretch them with your hands.
  • Spray too-tight jeans with water and pull on the fabric to stretch it out.
Section 1 of 5:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

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  1. Dissolve 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda into 2 litres (8.5  c) of warm water. Let this mixture sit for several minutes until the baking soda is dissolved. Do not place your garment into the soak until the baking soda is completely dissolved as it may stick to the fabric. The baking soda should help soften the fabric, making it easier to stretch. [1]
    • Note that this soak will work better with natural fabrics like cotton and wool than with synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon.
    • Cotton fibers stretch slightly and are often mixed with synthetic fibers to make it stretch more easily. Cotton lacks memory, so it will take the shape it’s stretched into when worn.
  2. Completely submerge the item of clothing you want to stretch in the baking soda soak. Pull it out of the water and gently squeeze out excess moisture. To avoid damage, do not wring it out. [2]
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  3. Gently pull the fabric of the garment in all directions to stretch it out. Be careful not to pull too hard, as this could damage the fabric. Stretch the entire garment evenly to avoid an asymmetrical shape. [3]
    • Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from the baking soda if you have sensitive skin.
  4. Once you have stretched the item to the shape you desire, place it back into the baking soda soak. Make sure the item is completely submerged in the water. Let it sit for an hour, then pour out or drain away the water.
  5. In a small bucket, mix 1 litre (4.2  c) of warm water with about 0.25 litres (1.1  c) of white vinegar. Pour this mixture over the clothing item. The combined effects of the baking soda and vinegar should help to soften and stretch the fabric. [4]
  6. Because heat shrinks clothes, it’s important that you don’t put the garment in the dryer. Lay it flat and let it air dry to avoid fading. To speed up the process, turn on a fan. Mirjan says you can also “hang [the garment] to dry away from direct sunlight.” [5] Exposure to sunlight may cause the color to fade.
    • Try to air dry the garment each time you wash it in the future so it doesn’t shrink back down.
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Section 2 of 5:

Using Baby Shampoo or Conditioner

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  1. Fill a sink or basin full of warm water. Add about 0.33 cups (78 ml) of baby shampoo or hair conditioner to the water. Swirl it with your hands to fully mix the soap with the water. [6]
    • Note that this soak is intended for items made from knit fabrics like cotton, cashmere, or wool , which can be shrunk and unshrunk much more easily than synthetic fibers or silk.
    • Alternatively, add a capful of a delicate detergent. Gorgis says, “I like to use lukewarm water and Tide Free & Gentle detergent because it is delicate on clothes.” [7]
  2. Gently place your clothing item into the water. Leave it there for at least 10 minutes to relax the fabric’s fibers, though Mirjan recommends “25-30 minutes.” [8] The item should be fully submerged under the water during this time. [9]
    • If your clothing is made of a thick knit fabric, soak it for 20 minutes or more. Do not leave it to soak for longer than 2 hours. [10]
  3. Remove the stopper from your sink to drain it, or pour out the liquid from the basin. Gently squeeze the knit garment to remove as much wetness as possible, but do not rinse it. [11] Mirjan says to “make sure not to wring the garment,” as this may alter its shape. [12]
  4. Carefully remove your clothing item from the sink and position it flat on a large, clean towel. Starting at one end, gently roll up the towel with the garment inside. This motion will help the towel pull moisture away from the garment. [13]
    • After doing this, the clothing item should be damp, but not wet.
  5. Unroll the towel and lay the garment flat. Gently stretch the edges of the item by lightly tugging the fabric with your hands in the direction you want to stretch it. To prevent damage, avoid stretching the fabric in large, aggressive motions. [14]
    • If you’re not sure how much to stretch the clothing, lay a similar garment that fits you well on a large piece of parchment paper and trace the outline. Then, lay the damp garment on the outline and stretch it so it fits the shape.
    EXPERT TIP

    Rani Gorgis

    Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
    Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification.
    Rani Gorgis
    Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

    Lay the item flat on a surface. With both hands, stretch it out in each direction as much as you can. Be cautious not to pull too hard, as it may damage the fabric. Lay the fabric out to air dry, and do not use a dryer.

  6. Once you have stretched the garment to the desired size, secure it by weighing it down. Place heavy items with smooth edges around the outline of the sweater or other garment to keep it in place. Such items could include paperweights, smooth stones, coffee mugs, or small hand weights. [15]
    • Do not use anything with sharp or uneven edges to pin down the garment, as these items could rip or damage the fabric.
  7. Do not remove the garment from the parchment paper until it dries completely. Depending on the garment, you may have to let it dry for a couple of hours, or overnight. If you remove it from its stretched out position when it is still damp, the fabric fibers are likely to contract as they dry. [16]
    • Do not put the stretched item back in the dryer, as this will likely cause it to shrink back down.
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Section 3 of 5:

Stretching Jeans with Water

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  1. Remove any items you may have in your jean pockets. Then, place your jeans on a clean surface like a table or counter top. Smooth them out so that they lay flat. [17]
  2. Mist the parts of your jeans that are too tight, such as the calves or the waist. If your jeans are too tight all-over, spray the entire surface of your jeans. Be sure to spray the jeans on both the front and the back. [18]
    • The water will help to loosen the tightly-knit fibers, which will help the jeans stretch.
    • A spray fabric softener can also work in place of water.
  3. Pull the jean fabric up and down with your hands, length-wise and width-wise. Focus on the tightest areas to add flexibility to the material. Do this repeatedly for several minutes to ensure that the fabric is reshaped. [19]
    • Since jean fabric is tough and resilient, you do not need to worry about ripping it.
    • Be careful to avoid any decorative touches that may be on your jeans, such as rhinestones or intentional rips in the fabric.
  4. Once you have stretched the jeans, allow them to air dry. Putting them in a dryer will likely shrink them. Lay them out flat to ensure that they keep their new shape. [20]
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking

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  1. Because different pieces of clothing are made from different fabrics, they can’t all be cared for the same way. What is safe for one item may damage another. Check the garment’s care label to learn how to wash, dry, and iron your clothing to keep it from shrinking, bleeding, or becoming otherwise damaged. [21]
    • The care tag will also tell you if the garment is pre-shrunk.
  2. Washing clothes in cold water can prevent shrinking, fading, and wrinkles. Using a gentle cycle and avoiding fast spins and high-heat drying can also prevent shrinkage . Use a delicate cycle to keep your clothes looking and feeling their best. [22]
    • If you’re washing delicates, put them in a mesh bag for added protection.
  3. High heat causes many fabrics to shrink, so it’s best to avoid it when drying your clothes. When possible, allow your clothes to air dry by laying them flat or hanging them up . Otherwise, opt for the tumble dry setting on your dryer. If you need to dry them more quickly , check the garment’s care tag to see which temperature to use to avoid shrinkage. [23]
    • If you don’t have time to let your clothes air dry completely, put them in the dryer but take them out while they’re still damp. Let them air dry the rest of the way.
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Section 5 of 5:

Why do clothes shrink?

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  1. Fabric type often determines how a garment retains its size. Clothing made of natural fibers (like cotton and linen) are prone to shrinkage because they absorb moisture quickly. Washing natural fabrics too vigorously can cause the fibers to tighten, which in turn shrinks the garment. Heat also causes many fabrics to shrink. [24]
    • Synthetic fibers, like polyester, are usually more heat-resilient and won’t shrink.

Join the Discussion...

How do I unshrink clothes I accidentally shrunk?
WikiFlamingoRider304
10
WikiFlamingoRider304
Asking for a friend here....I accidentally put one of my favorite shirts through the dryer when it's supposed to air-dry, and it totally shrunk.... Read More
1
Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
I like to use lukewarm water and Tide Free & Gentle detergent because it is delicate on clothes. Soak the item for about half an hour. Pull the i... Read More
WikiRiverSlinger714
WikiRiverSlinger714
Sorry, that shirt is never going to be the same :( Synthetic fibers, especially, can't be un-shrunk.... Read More
See all 3 Replies and
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      Tips

      • If a garment returns from the dry cleaner and it has shrunk, take it back and ask them to repeat the process and stretch it.
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      • If you are not able to see the individual fibers on a knit garment, this means that the material has felted and can't be stretched anymore.
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      • There are commercial fabric stretching sprays , as well. Follow the instructions on the bottle to properly stretch out your clothes.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Ashtrays and vases work well for keeping items flat to dry.
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      Warnings

      • There isn’t a way to truly stretch clothes permanently, as stretched items will likely shrink back down when exposed to heat. Avoid using the dryer to keep them stretched out longer.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://greenopedia.com/healthier-fabric-softeners/
      2. ↑ https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/step-step-guide-washing-your-clothes-hand
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unshrink-clothes/
      4. ↑ https://greenopedia.com/healthier-fabric-softeners/
      5. ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.
      6. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/clothing-care/unshrink-clothes.html
      7. ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.
      8. ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unshrink-clothes/
      1. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-unshrink-a-sweater-254457
      2. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/clothing-care/unshrink-clothes.html
      3. ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unshrink-clothes/
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-magazine/ask-real-simple/how-to-stretch-shrunken-clothing
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unshrink-clothes/
      7. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unshrink-clothes/
      8. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/1-trick-you-need-stretch-jeans-shrunk-dryer-t117629
      9. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/clothing-care/unshrink-clothes.html
      10. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/1-trick-you-need-stretch-jeans-shrunk-dryer-t117629
      11. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/1-trick-you-need-stretch-jeans-shrunk-dryer-t117629
      12. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/ph/laundry/the-ultimate-guide-for-how-to-unshrink-clothes.html
      13. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/clothing-care/how-to-unshrink-wool-and-how-to-shrink-it.html
      14. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/ph/laundry/the-ultimate-guide-for-how-to-unshrink-clothes.html
      15. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/clothing-care/unshrink-clothes.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To stretch your clothes, start by soaking them for 10 minutes in a basin filled with warm water and 1/3 cup of baby shampoo or hair conditioner. Next, squeeze the clothes to remove most of the water, then roll them in a towel to absorb even more moisture. After that, lay the clothes flat and gently stretch them to the desired size before pinning them down with heavy objects, like coffee mugs, to keep them in place. Leave the clothes in that position until they’re completely dry to keep the fabric fibers from contracting as they dry out. To learn how to use baking soda and vinegar to stretch your clothes, keep reading!

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