How to Unshrink garments
Posted by Team NZNC on 1st Mar 2022
The need to unshrink garments is a common one.
I’ve done it, you’ve done it, your neighbours have done it. We’ve all had that moment when we’ve taken something out of the machine or off the washing line and realised our favourite garment has shrunk.
No one wants an uncomfortable knit but don’t waste it. Don't leave it in the drawer, going to waste. We don’t want that. You’ve got a beautiful luxury garment and it’s going to grow on you, literally.
We want to make this as easy as we can for you so if it happens again you are armed with a proven methodology to try to undo the damage.
We’re going to look at how garments shrink in the first place, how to unshrink a wool sweater and top tips.
How do you shrink garments?
When you buy quality natural fibre garments you have more of a risk of shrinkage so it’s really important that you pay close attention to how to care for that item.
There are three main causes for shrinking. They are:
- Felting shrinkage
- Relaxation shrinkage
- Consolidation shrinkage
Felting shrinkage
This happens with animal fibres that have scales along the surface such as wool.
When the scales are exposed to moisture and excessive heat, they compress and mesh together. Common problem for those wool sweaters we all love!
Relaxation shrinkage
This happens when the garment is exposed to excessive moisture or liquids.
When the garment is in tepid water, the fibers are prone to absorbing moisture. This is very common for natural fibres. The fibres will swell and cause size distortion.
Consolidation shrinkage
When moisture and heat combine, plus are agitated by mechanical action the fibre releases tension. This release of tension deforms the garment.
How to unshrink a wool sweater
Let’s walk through the steps to unshrink a wool sweater.
Firstly, you need to assess the damage. Has the sweater shrunk or has it felted and shrunk? If it’s just shrunk then there is hope. However if it’s felted as well then it’s better off becoming a comfy spot for your cat.
You can check if it’s felted by:
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Checking if you can identify individual fibers. If it’s fuzzy with no distinction then you’re handling a felted sweater.
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Softly pulling a small 2″ square section in opposite directions. If there is no give then you have felted material rather than a lovely wearable sweater.
You’ve done your observations and are handling a wool sweater that has just shrunk - what are the next steps?
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Fill a basin with warm water.
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According to product instructions, add a compatible wool wash.
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Add garment and gently submerge it into the water. Don’t agitate it by stirring.
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Leave for 20 minutes then drain the water leaving the garment in the basin.
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Don’t squeeze or wring the garment. Rather gently press the water out. Pick it up from the bottom to avoid any unnecessary stretching.
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Get rid of excess water by rolling in a towel.
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Gently stretch it out. Take care to pay close attention to any seams. The seams will guide your stretching and keep you from overstretching.
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Keep flat until dry.
Case in point! This is a Large, Phil wears a 2XL normally.
Julie wet stretched the arms and now it’s a fit that looks more like the fit of the baggy oversized jerseys we usually wear.
Top tips for unshrinking garments
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- Don’t dry them in direct sunlight - Drying your garments outside can really speed up the process, but some dyes are sensitive to light so make sure you cover them with something to protect the garment from light.
- Don't put your garment in the dryer - The heat and agitation of a dryer is asking for trouble with yoru beautiful natural fibre garment.
- Pin your garment - When drying your garment, you can pin it to a corkboard to help it keep its new shape whilst drying
- Handwashing is ALWAYS the better option - Handwashing your garment will give you the control to maintain your garments shape. Prevention is always better than cure after all!
Remember to take extra care with your natural fibre garments. They’re high quality products and need some extra tender loving care.
When you invest in natural fibres, you need to pay very close attention to their care instructions because this will maintain the garment’s original quality and get you more out of the garment for much longer!
We’re natural fibre experts at New Zealand Natural Clothing so if you have any questions, let us know! We’re always happy to help you learn more about the great products you’re wearing.