The weekend is here, so you know what that means: it’s time to do laundry. So, you throw a new load in the wash and as you’re taking clothes out of the dryer, a feeling of dread starts to set in. Your clothes can now fit a small child. After the initial horror wears off, you realize that you simply must replace them, right? Well, not exactly. It’s actually possible to restore your shrunken clothes back to their normal size. Here’s how to fix your shrunken clothes while saving money too.
Get Warm Water
The first step to restoring your clothes to their former size is to fill either a bucket or bowl of warm water. Do not use scalding hot water as it can make the problem worse. If you use boiling water, it can ruin the fabric of the piece of clothing. Instead, use mildly warm water to loosen up the fibers, so they can expand.
Add Soap Into the Mix
Next, you’re going to need to add soap into the water. As a substitute, you can use hair conditioner or baby shampoo. Laundry detergent is also a viable option, but only use a small amount. Furthermore, if you do use detergent, make sure it’s used in delicate cycles only. Anything else can potentially damage your clothes.
Source: ShutterstockLet it Soak
Once everything is properly mixed together, insert the clothes that need to be “unshrunk.” Allow them to soak for at least a half hour. You might have to soak them longer depending on the type of fabric. If the clothes need an extra five minutes, then that’s perfectly fine. However, if you leave your shrunken clothes in for too long, it could cause the color to fade and ruin the shape.
Squeeze Out the Water
After enough time has passed, take the clothes out of the water and squeeze them out. Remember not to wring them too tightly. if you wring them too tightly, you run the risk of ruining your clothes, or having them take on an odd shape. Only exert enough force to wring out the water, not damage the clothes.
Let it Dry
Neatly lay out your clothes on a dry towel and roll them. This will help get rid of any remaining water. Then, unroll the towel, unfold the clothes, shake them out and place them on another towel. Gently stretch out your clothes until they are back to their normal form and then air dry them. Do not use something like a hair dryer to dry out your clothes. The hot air will cause the clothes to become rough and scratchy.
Unless your clothes have shrunk up to the size of a baby’s sock, there’s no need to replace them. You can easily remedy the issue by following these tips. Just remember to be attentive and gentle with your clothes. If you don’t, then you’re going to even bigger problems to worry about.
