Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Manual stretching
• Method 2 of 3: Hair conditioner or vinegar
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent shrinkage
• What do you need

How annoying it is to get one of your favorite shirts out of the dryer and find out that it has sat down! Fortunately, there are several ways you can stretch your fabric and return your shirt to its gorgeous look. Wash the shirt to get it wet again, then pull at the edges to stretch it a little. If you want to stretch the fabric too much, try soaking the shirt in hair conditioner and then stretching it. To prevent the shirt from shrinking again, wash it in cold water and do not use a dryer.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Manual stretching

1. 1 Wash your shirt by hand or in the washing machine. It will be much easier for you to stretch the shirt by hand if the fabric is wet. Wash your shirt in cold water to prevent it from shrinking further.
   • If you choose to hand wash your shirt, be sure to squeeze out all the water before stretching it. But do not twist the shirt, just squeeze it.
2. 2 Place a clean towel on a flat surface. The towel should be large enough to fit the shirt. Unfold the shirt and make sure the fabric is not wrinkled or wrinkled.
   • Lay the shirt face up so you can see the collar.
3. 3 Pull on the sides of the shirt. Try to stretch each side 2.5–5 cm. Using equal force, pull on the right and left sleeves. Then pull at the chest, stretch the collar and hem. Finish by pulling on the sides of the shirt.
4. 4 Leave the shirt to dry on a towel. After you stretch your shirt, leave it to dry on a towel before checking your work. It can take several hours for the shirt to dry completely, so be patient.

Method 2 of 3: Hair conditioner or vinegar

1. 1 Fill a sink or tub with cold water. There should be enough water to completely submerge the shirt you want to stretch. The water should be at room temperature or colder. It should not be hot, or the shirt may shrink even more.
2. 2 Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of hair conditioner into the tub if the shirt is made of cotton or knit. Any conditioner will do for this! Stir well after pouring the conditioner into the water.
   • You can use baby shampoo instead of conditioner. They will loosen the fibers of the shirt, making it easier to stretch.
   • Hair conditioner will also work for shirts made from other synthetic materials, such as nylon.
3. 3 Add 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) of vinegar to the water if the shirt is woolen. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener so it will protect woollens from damage. Pour out the vinegar before adding the conditioner. This way you mix both ingredients in water at the same time.
4. 4 Soak your shirt for 15 minutes. Place the shirt in the water and then lower it down to fully submerge it. Make sure that the shirt does not wrinkle and that the substances in the water evenly affect all the fibers.
5. 5 Drain the tub to refill it. In this case, the shirt does not have to be taken out of the water. After filling the tub with fresh water, squeeze the shirt to rinse out the conditioner (or baby shampoo) and / or vinegar. Then soak the shirt for another 5 minutes. Continue to drain, rinse, and soak your shirt until you have removed all traces of softeners.
6. 6 Place the shirt between two towels to remove excess water. Place the shirt on the bottom towel and place the second on top. Roll up the towels to squeeze the water out of the shirt, and the towels have absorbed it. Unfold the towels, then place the shirt on a new, clean towel.
7. 7 Pull on the opposite edges of the shirt. Grab the sides of the shirt and pull with equal force. Stretch the hem 5 cm and then do the same for the collar and shoulders.
8. 8 Leave the shirt to dry on a fresh towel. Since the third towel is now also wet, place the shirt on the fourth. Wait until it is completely dry before checking if you managed to stretch it. The shirt may take all night to dry completely.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent shrinkage

1. 1 Wash your shirts in cold water. Don't blame the dryer for everything! Hot water can also shrink clothes, especially if they are washed frequently. If you are worried that some of your shirts might shrink, you better play it safe and only wash them in cold water.
2. 2 Wool, mohair and cashmere shirts can only be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is generally better for such materials. Professionals know better than you how to keep your belongings safe.
3. 3 Follow the directions on the tags. They are here for a reason! Generally, if you follow the instructions on the tag, you can avoid damage and shrinkage of your garment.
4. 4 Air dry items that might shrink. If you like a particular shirt and the way it sits on you, don't put it in the dryer. Even though the tag says it can be tumble dried safely, the hot air can damage shirt fibers over time.
5. 5 Remove items that are still damp from the dryer. If tumble drying is taking too long for your lifestyle, set the dryer to the lowest setting (e.g. drum dryer). Then remove your favorite shirts from the dryer while they are still damp. Spread them out to dry. Thus, you will reduce the damage done by the dryer and shorten the air drying time.

What do you need

• Washing machine or basin
• Several towels
• Large container or sink
• Cold water
• Hair conditioner
• Vinegar