How to Stretch Out Clothes & Prevent Future Shrinkage

Nothing is more frustrating than taking your clothes out of the dryer to discover they’ve shrunk in the wash. Luckily, many fabrics can be stretched out, so there’s still hope for your jeans, sweatshirt, or dress. For this article, we interviewed laundry specialists Rani Gorgis and Ayad Mirjan to teach you all the best ways to stretch clothes by using baking soda and vinegar, baby shampoo or conditioner, or plain water. Plus, learn how to prevent clothes from shrinking and what causes them to shrink in the first place.

How to Make Clothes Bigger

Soak natural fabrics in baking soda and water, then stretch them out and rinse with vinegar.
Soak knit fabrics in warm water and conditioner or baby shampoo, then stretch them with your hands.
Spray too-tight jeans with water and pull on the fabric to stretch it out.

Section 1 of 5:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

Download Article

1
Make a baking soda soak in a sink or basin. Dissolve 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda into 2 litres (8.5 c) of warm water. Let this mixture sit for several minutes until the baking soda is dissolved. Do not place your garment into the soak until the baking soda is completely dissolved as it may stick to the fabric. The baking soda should help soften the fabric, making it easier to stretch.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Note that this soak will work better with natural fabrics like cotton and wool than with synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon.
- Cotton fibers stretch slightly and are often mixed with synthetic fibers to make it stretch more easily. Cotton lacks memory, so it will take the shape it’s stretched into when worn.
Completely submerge the item of clothing you want to stretch in the baking soda soak. Pull it out of the water and gently squeeze out excess moisture. To avoid damage, do not wring it out.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Stretch the garment gently with your hands. Gently pull the fabric of the garment in all directions to stretch it out. Be careful not to pull too hard, as this could damage the fabric. Stretch the entire garment evenly to avoid an asymmetrical shape.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from the baking soda if you have sensitive skin.
Once you have stretched the item to the shape you desire, place it back into the baking soda soak. Make sure the item is completely submerged in the water. Let it sit for an hour, then pour out or drain away the water.
In a small bucket, mix 1 litre (4.2 c) of warm water with about 0.25 litres (1.1 c) of white vinegar. Pour this mixture over the clothing item. The combined effects of the baking soda and vinegar should help to soften and stretch the fabric.^{[4]
X
Research source}
6
Lay the garment out flat and let it air dry. Because heat shrinks clothes, it’s important that you don’t put the garment in the dryer. Lay it flat and let it air dry to avoid fading. To speed up the process, turn on a fan. Mirjan says you can also “hang [the garment] to dry away from direct sunlight.”^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.} Exposure to sunlight may cause the color to fade.
- Try to air dry the garment each time you wash it in the future so it doesn’t shrink back down.

Section 2 of 5:

Using Baby Shampoo or Conditioner

Download Article

1
Prepare a gentle soak with warm water and conditioner or baby shampoo. Fill a sink or basin full of warm water. Add about 0.33 cups (78 ml) of baby shampoo or hair conditioner to the water. Swirl it with your hands to fully mix the soap with the water.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Note that this soak is intended for items made from knit fabrics like cotton, cashmere, or wool, which can be shrunk and unshrunk much more easily than synthetic fibers or silk.
- Alternatively, add a capful of a delicate detergent. Gorgis says, “I like to use lukewarm water and Tide Free & Gentle detergent because it is delicate on clothes.”^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rani Gorgis
  Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.}
2
Soak your garment for at least 10 minutes. Gently place your clothing item into the water. Leave it there for at least 10 minutes to relax the fabric’s fibers, though Mirjan recommends “25-30 minutes.”^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.} The item should be fully submerged under the water during this time.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If your clothing is made of a thick knit fabric, soak it for 20 minutes or more. Do not leave it to soak for longer than 2 hours.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
Remove the stopper from your sink to drain it, or pour out the liquid from the basin. Gently squeeze the knit garment to remove as much wetness as possible, but do not rinse it.^{[11]
X
Research source} Mirjan says to “make sure not to wring the garment,” as this may alter its shape.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.}
4
Lay the clothing out on top of a towel and roll it up to absorb moisture. Carefully remove your clothing item from the sink and position it flat on a large, clean towel. Starting at one end, gently roll up the towel with the garment inside. This motion will help the towel pull moisture away from the garment.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- After doing this, the clothing item should be damp, but not wet.
5
Stretch the damp garment to the desired size. Unroll the towel and lay the garment flat. Gently stretch the edges of the item by lightly tugging the fabric with your hands in the direction you want to stretch it. To prevent damage, avoid stretching the fabric in large, aggressive motions.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- If you’re not sure how much to stretch the clothing, lay a similar garment that fits you well on a large piece of parchment paper and trace the outline. Then, lay the damp garment on the outline and stretch it so it fits the shape.
EXPERT TIP

Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification.

Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Lay the item flat on a surface. With both hands, stretch it out in each direction as much as you can. Be cautious not to pull too hard, as it may damage the fabric. Lay the fabric out to air dry, and do not use a dryer.
6
Pin down the edges of the knit clothing with heavy objects. Once you have stretched the garment to the desired size, secure it by weighing it down. Place heavy items with smooth edges around the outline of the sweater or other garment to keep it in place. Such items could include paperweights, smooth stones, coffee mugs, or small hand weights.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Do not use anything with sharp or uneven edges to pin down the garment, as these items could rip or damage the fabric.
7
Leave the garment in this position until it is dry. Do not remove the garment from the parchment paper until it dries completely. Depending on the garment, you may have to let it dry for a couple of hours, or overnight. If you remove it from its stretched out position when it is still damp, the fabric fibers are likely to contract as they dry.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Do not put the stretched item back in the dryer, as this will likely cause it to shrink back down.

Section 3 of 5:

Stretching Jeans with Water

Download Article

Remove any items you may have in your jean pockets. Then, place your jeans on a clean surface like a table or counter top. Smooth them out so that they lay flat.^{[17]
X
Research source}
2
Spray the tight-fitting areas of your jeans with water. Mist the parts of your jeans that are too tight, such as the calves or the waist. If your jeans are too tight all-over, spray the entire surface of your jeans. Be sure to spray the jeans on both the front and the back.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- The water will help to loosen the tightly-knit fibers, which will help the jeans stretch.
- A spray fabric softener can also work in place of water.
3
Stretch the jeans in all directions to loosen the fabric. Pull the jean fabric up and down with your hands, length-wise and width-wise. Focus on the tightest areas to add flexibility to the material. Do this repeatedly for several minutes to ensure that the fabric is reshaped.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Since jean fabric is tough and resilient, you do not need to worry about ripping it.
- Be careful to avoid any decorative touches that may be on your jeans, such as rhinestones or intentional rips in the fabric.
Once you have stretched the jeans, allow them to air dry. Putting them in a dryer will likely shrink them. Lay them out flat to ensure that they keep their new shape.^{[20]
X
Research source}

Section 4 of 5:

How to Prevent Clothes from Shrinking

Download Article

1
Follow the item’s care label instructions. Because different pieces of clothing are made from different fabrics, they can’t all be cared for the same way. What is safe for one item may damage another. Check the garment’s care label to learn how to wash, dry, and iron your clothing to keep it from shrinking, bleeding, or becoming otherwise damaged.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- The care tag will also tell you if the garment is pre-shrunk.
2
Wash clothes on a cold, gentle cycle. Washing clothes in cold water can prevent shrinking, fading, and wrinkles. Using a gentle cycle and avoiding fast spins and high-heat drying can also prevent shrinkage. Use a delicate cycle to keep your clothes looking and feeling their best.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- If you’re washing delicates, put them in a mesh bag for added protection.
3
Let your clothes tumble dry or air dry. High heat causes many fabrics to shrink, so it’s best to avoid it when drying your clothes. When possible, allow your clothes to air dry by laying them flat or hanging them up. Otherwise, opt for the tumble dry setting on your dryer. If you need to dry them more quickly, check the garment’s care tag to see which temperature to use to avoid shrinkage.^{[23]
X
Research source}
- If you don’t have time to let your clothes air dry completely, put them in the dryer but take them out while they’re still damp. Let them air dry the rest of the way.

Section 5 of 5:

Why do clothes shrink?

Download Article

Clothes may shrink because of their fabric. Fabric type often determines how a garment retains its size. Clothing made of natural fibers (like cotton and linen) are prone to shrinkage because they absorb moisture quickly. Washing natural fabrics too vigorously can cause the fibers to tighten, which in turn shrinks the garment. Heat also causes many fabrics to shrink.^{[24]
X
Research source}
- Synthetic fibers, like polyester, are usually more heat-resilient and won’t shrink.

Join the Discussion...

How do I unshrink clothes I accidentally shrunk?

10

WikiFlamingoRider304

Asking for a friend here....I accidentally put one of my favorite shirts through the dryer when it's supposed to air-dry, and it totally shrunk.... Read More

1

Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

I like to use lukewarm water and Tide Free & Gentle detergent because it is delicate on clothes. Soak the item for about half an hour. Pull the i... Read More

WikiRiverSlinger714

Sorry, that shirt is never going to be the same :( Synthetic fibers, especially, can't be un-shrunk.... Read More

See all 3 Replies and

Read Discussion

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If a garment returns from the dry cleaner and it has shrunk, take it back and ask them to repeat the process and stretch it.

Thanks
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
If you are not able to see the individual fibers on a knit garment, this means that the material has felted and can't be stretched anymore.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
There are commercial fabric stretching sprays, as well. Follow the instructions on the bottle to properly stretch out your clothes.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Ashtrays and vases work well for keeping items flat to dry.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

There isn’t a way to truly stretch clothes permanently, as stretched items will likely shrink back down when exposed to heat. Avoid using the dryer to keep them stretched out longer.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0