How to Fix Shrunken Clothes and Stretched-Out T-Shirts

Why clothes shrink and stretch

Fabric shrinks when its fibers, which were stretched during manufacturing, relax in warm water and heat. Cotton, linen and wool are the most likely to shrink, while synthetics like polyester and nylon usually shrink very little. Stretching happens when fibers are pulled out of shape while wet or when a garment is hung under its own weight, which is common with knits, necklines and cuffs.

Both problems are easier to prevent than to fix, so our cotton washing guide and care label guide are worth keeping nearby. But if it has already happened, there are a few safe methods to try.

Which garments can be saved?

Success depends on the fiber and how severe the damage is. Cotton and cotton blends that have shrunk slightly respond well. Wool that has only relaxed can be coaxed back, but wool that has felted, meaning the fibers have locked together into a dense mat, cannot be reversed. Synthetics rarely shrink, but heat can distort them permanently. Heavily shrunken fabric can often be improved a little, but not always restored to the original size.

Method: the conditioner soak and gentle stretch

This is the most widely recommended home method for cotton and wool. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a tablespoon or two of hair conditioner or baby shampoo, which relaxes the fibers. Submerge the garment for about 30 minutes, then lift it out and press the water out gently without wringing. Roll it in a clean towel to remove more moisture.

Lay the garment on a dry towel and gently stretch it by hand, working from the center outward, until it reaches the measurements of a similar garment that fits. Pin or weigh the edges if needed and let it dry flat, away from direct heat. You may need to repeat the process once or twice.

Fixing a stretched neckline or cuffs

A saggy neckline is often fixable on cotton tees. Wet the collar and use a hair dryer on a warm setting or a warm iron over a damp cotton cloth to encourage the ribbing to tighten, shaping it by hand as it dries. Another method is to run a thin line of stitches around the inside of the neckline and gather it slightly. Keep the stitching loose so the collar can still stretch to fit over your head. If the ribbing has lost all its elastic, a tailor can replace it.

Fixing shrunken jeans

Denim often shrinks in the first washes. Wear the jeans while they are slightly damp and move around until they relax, or soak and gently stretch them as above. Cotton denim is forgiving, but jeans with a lot of elastane can lose their recovery if they are overheated. Our jeans fit guide explains the difference between sanforized and shrink-to-fit denim so you can buy the right size from the start.

When it cannot be fixed

If the garment has felted, shrunk by a full size or more, or stretched so much that the fibers have broken, it may be better to repurpose it as a cloth, a lining or a keepsake, or to take it to a tailor. Do not keep washing it hot, because it will only get smaller.

• •Check the care label before soaking.
• •Never wring or twist wet knits.
• •Dry flat on a towel, away from radiators and sun.
• •Re-measure against a garment that fits.

How to stop it happening again

Wash cool, use a gentle cycle, close zips and buttons and avoid the dryer for cotton and wool. Dry knits flat and fold them rather than hanging. Check that new garments are pre-shrunk. These small habits protect the fit for years.

Quick rescue steps

If a favourite garment has just shrunk, act before you wash it again.

• •Do not dry it again.
• •Soak in lukewarm water with a little conditioner.
• •Press out water without wringing.
• •Stretch gently and dry flat.