If your sweater has shrunk, you can try to recover it by following these steps
Among the many laundering accidents that can happen, one of the most feared is a mistake that shrinks woollen sweaters. When this happens, the garment is often unusable afterwards - or at least it can no longer be worn comfortably, perhaps it being relegated to the back of a cupboard.
It's a real shame, however, to write off a comfortable sweater, but the good news is that they can sometimes be recovered. Sometimes, if the situation isn't too bad, you can save your favorite sweater. Read further to find out how:
There are some cases, like the one in the picture, where there is nothing that can be done. First of all, let's understand why shrinking happens! Two main factors are responsible: 1) the rubbing of the fibres in the machine and 2) high temperatures (which are an anathema to wool and linen). In fact, when the washing cycle is the incorrect one, the fibers of the garment bind to each other, and the material itself becomes compact, hard and thick.
When the situation is not too serious, and the sweater has only slightly shrunk, try to recover it in this way:
- Get some baby shampoo;
- Fill a basin with cold water and add the shampoo;
- Submerge the sweater in the water and leave it to soak for 12-24 hours;
- Rinse off well with cold water, but do not wring out;
- Lay the sweater flat to dry, and periodically, as it dries, stretch the sweater out by hand, pulling the garment in all directions, very carefully and evenly, passing over the entire sweater.
Continue to flatten by hand, trying to separate the fibers again as much as possible, until the garment is dry.
Another method that can help in less serious cases is to use steam and a vertical iron.
- Put the sweater on a strong hanger and secure it;
- Steam a section of the sweater;
- With your hands, stretch the fabric in all directions;
- Continue alternating steaming and stretching out by hand until you have treated the entire garment.
Be careful not to keep the on the sweater for too long.
With these steps you could recover your favorite sweater!
