How To Unshrink A Sweater

Drooling bulldog in red shrunken sweater.How to unshrink a sweater that is now small enough to fit little Bruiser.

Relax! It is possible to unshrink clothes that someone (not you, of course), popped into the dryer and that are now small enough for little Bruiser to wear.

Here's how to unshrink a sweater. With this step-by-step guide, you really can unshrink a sweater yourself - and save it from the dreaded rag pile.

Start by soaking the shrunken sweater in lukewarm water with a few squirts of baby shampoo (or another gentle shampoo) for about 15 minutes. And let the resizing process begin.

How to Unshrink a Sweater With Baby Shampoo

Soak the shrunken sweater in warm water and two tablespoons of baby shampoo (which relaxes natural fibers such as wool) for 15 minutes. Gently work the shampoo into the fibers by hand to begin the softening-up process.

Remove the Sweater and Rinse

Remove the sweater from the soapy water and rinse in cold water to remove the baby shampoo from the sweater fibers.

After rinsing, gently press or squeeze the sweater, moving from the sleeves to the collar area and working your way down, pressing out any remaining moisture as you go.

Don't wring: this can damage - and even break - the very fibers we're trying to gently coax back into shape.

Roll in a Towel to Remove Excess Moisture

To remove any lingering moisture from your sweater, roll it in a towel. It's essential that the fibers contain as little moisture as possible when you begin the resizing process.

Pin Sweater to a Corkboard to Resize

Pin the sweater to a large corkboard, stretching the neck, arms, and sides to size. Return to re-stretch and re-pin the clothing or sweater every few hours. 

It will take several stretching and re-pinning sessions to return the garment to its original size. But if you adore that sweater, you'll be glad you took the time to pin, pin, and pin again.

Next time, make sure you know how to machine wash sweaters so that you won't need to go through the unshrinking process again. But the good news is: You can if you need to! 


You Might Like These:

  • Before the weather beckons you outside, spend at least one more day inside and spring clean your closet.

    Spring Clean Your Closet

    Before the weather beckons you outside, spend at least one more day inside and spring clean your closet.

  • How to wash sweaters. Santa was good this year and brought you a bunch of new, fuzzy, warm sweaters. By now, they've been worn a few times and need a sweater wash. Here's how!

    How to Wash Sweaters

    How to wash sweaters. Santa was good this year and brought you a bunch of new, fuzzy, warm sweaters. By now, they've been worn a few times and need a sweater wash. Here's how!

  • Your every-day laundry detergent should be a tough, all-purpose cleaner. Should you choose a liquid or powder laundry detergent? These tips can help.

    Liquid or Powder Laundry Detergent?

    Your every-day laundry detergent should be a tough, all-purpose cleaner. Should you choose a liquid or powder laundry detergent? These tips can help.

  • Laundry Temperature hot warm or cold? This laundry refresher course will have you setting the wash water temperature like a pro.

    Laundry Temperature Hot Warm or Cold

    Laundry Temperature hot warm or cold? This laundry refresher course will have you setting the wash water temperature like a pro.

  • This laundry stain removal guide for 16 common stains can help solve the problem du jour the next time the kids show up with a splattered sweatshirt. Or dress. Or ...

    Laundry Stain Removal Guide For 16 Common Stains

    This laundry stain removal guide for 16 common stains can help solve the problem du jour the next time the kids show up with a splattered sweatshirt. Or dress. Or ...

  • How to unshrink wool? It really is possible to unshrink that sweater someone (not you, of course) popped into the dryer and is now small enough for the dog.

    How to Unshrink Wool

    How to unshrink wool? It really is possible to unshrink that sweater someone (not you, of course) popped into the dryer and is now small enough for the dog.

  • For many of us, how to clean leather is still one of life's mysteries. So here's a guide on how to clean leather that will help you keep your rawhide looking tough.

    How to Clean Leather and Suede

    For many of us, how to clean leather is still one of life's mysteries. So here's a guide on how to clean leather that will help you keep your rawhide looking tough.

  • These laundry tips for jeans can help keep your kid's jacket and jeans from looking like they're your grandmother's relics from the flower power days.

    Laundry Tips for Jeans

    These laundry tips for jeans can help keep your kid's jacket and jeans from looking like they're your grandmother's relics from the flower power days.

  • If you don't know the origins of a stain, all is not lost. hese easy remedies for removing unknown clothing stains can help.

    Removing Unknown Clothing Stains

    If you don't know the origins of a stain, all is not lost. hese easy remedies for removing unknown clothing stains can help.

  • These grease stain removal tips can get your clothes looking fresh and clean again in no time.

    Grease Stain Removal Tips

    These grease stain removal tips can get your clothes looking fresh and clean again in no time.

  • How to clean leather shoes? Leather is one of the best shoe materials available, known for its durability and flexibility, as long as it is properly maintained.

    How to Clean Leather Shoes

    How to clean leather shoes? Leather is one of the best shoe materials available, known for its durability and flexibility, as long as it is properly maintained.

  • These homemade laundry stain removers can help remove even some of your toughest stains - at a fraction of the cost of store-bought remedies.

    Homemade Laundry Stain Removers That Work

    These homemade laundry stain removers can help remove even some of your toughest stains - at a fraction of the cost of store-bought remedies.

  • Do you wear the same clothes each week, even though you pride yourself on your updated wardrobe? Here's how to organize clothes and expand your wardrobe choices.

    How to Organize Clothes

    Do you wear the same clothes each week, even though you pride yourself on your updated wardrobe? Here's how to organize clothes and expand your wardrobe choices.

  • Luxury clothes care tips. What good is a cashmere sweater after a waiter spills a glass of red wine on it? It's as good as new if you know the tricks of luxury clothes care.

    Luxury Clothes Care Tips

    Luxury clothes care tips. What good is a cashmere sweater after a waiter spills a glass of red wine on it? It's as good as new if you know the tricks of luxury clothes care.

  • Removing powdery clothing stains. If you regularly find powdery clothing stains on freshly washed loads of laundry, the cause can usually be traced to one of two things. These tips can help.

    Removing Powdery Clothing Stains

    Removing powdery clothing stains. If you regularly find powdery clothing stains on freshly washed loads of laundry, the cause can usually be traced to one of two things. These tips can help.

  • Rust stains on clothes are among the most difficult to remove. These stain removers can help..

    Remove Rust Stains on Clothes

    Rust stains on clothes are among the most difficult to remove. These stain removers can help..