How to Stretch a Shirt

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Co-authored by Rani Gorgis

Last Updated: September 14, 2023 References

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It's so frustrating to pull one of your favorite shirts out of the dryer only to discover that it shrank in there! Luckily, there are a few different ways you can try to stretch out the fabric and return your shirt to its former glory. Rewash the shirt to get it wet again and then pull on the shirt to stretch it out a little. If you're hoping to significantly stretch the fabric, you can also soak the shirt in hair conditioner and then stretch it out. Be sure to avoid future shrinkage by washing your shirts in cold water and limiting your use of the dryer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hand-Stretching Your Shirt

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1
Wash your shirt in the washing machine or by hand. Stretching out your shirt by hand will be much more effective if the fabric is wet. Use cold water when you wash the shirt to avoid causing your item to shrink even more.^{[1]
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- If you're hand washing, be sure to squeeze out excess water before stretching the shirt. Don't, however, wring the fabric. Instead, just press on the shirt.
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Place a clean towel on a flat surface. There should be enough room to lay the shirt out flat on the towel. Spread the shirt out fully, making sure there are no folds or creases in the fabric.
- Lay the shirt face-up so you can see the collar.
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For each edge, aim to stretch the fabric by an inch or 2 (5 cm). Start with each sleeve, gently pulling an equal amount on the ends of the left and right sleeves. Next, pull the fabric outwards along the top line and collar of the shirt, as well as the hem. Finish up by pulling on the sides.^{[2]
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Now that you've tried to stretch your shirt out, let it dry before checking if it worked. It may take several hours for the shirt to completely dry, so be patient.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Conditioner or Vinegar to Stretch Your Shirt

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There should be enough water in your container to completely submerge the shirt you hope to stretch. Make sure the water is room temperature or cooler. You don't want hot water, as this could further shrink the fabric.^{[4]
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Pour ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of hair conditioner in the tub for cotton and rayon. Any hair conditioner will work! Once you've poured it in, give the water a good stir to mix it in.^{[5]
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- You can also use baby shampoo in place of the conditioner. Both materials will relax the fibers in your shirt and make them easier to manipulate.^{[6]
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- Hair conditioner should also work well for other synthetic materials, like nylon.
Vinegar is a natural fabric softener, so it provides a little extra protection against damage for wool items. Before you mix in the conditioner, add the vinegar as well. This will allow you to mix both ingredients into the water at the same time.^{[7]
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Lay the shirt flat on the water and push it down to completely submerge it. Try to keep it as flat as possible when you push it down so the materials in the water can evenly affect the fibers.^{[8]
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You shouldn't need to remove the shirt while you drain the container. Once you've got fresh water, squeeze the shirt to rinse out the conditioner (or baby shampoo) and/or vinegar. Then soak the fabric for another 5 minutes. Continue draining, rinsing, and soaking until all traces of the softeners are gone.^{[9]
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Lay the shirt flat on the bottom towel, then place another towel on top. Roll the bundle up so that the excess water is transferred from your shirt to the 2 towels. Unroll the bundle and move the shirt to a new, dry towel.
Place your hands on opposite sides of the shirt and pull the same amount on both sides. Stretch the hemline down about 2 inches (5.1 cm), and then do the same to the collar and shoulders of the shirt.^{[10]
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Since your third towel is probably wet now also, move the shirt to a fourth one. Allow it to air dry completely before testing to see how well your stretching worked. You may need to wait overnight for the shirt to dry out completely.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Shrinking Your Shirts

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The dryer isn't the only culprit in your laundry room! Hot water can shrink items, especially over time. If there are any shirts you're worried about shrinking, err on the side of caution and use the cold-water wash cycle.
Dry cleaning is generally a better option for these materials. Professionals will know how to protect your clothing better than you can at home.^{[12]
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Those tags are there for a reason! Generally, if you stick to what the tag tells you to do, you can avoid damaging or shrinking your clothes.
If you're in love with a particular shirt and the way it fits you, take the dryer out of the equation. Even if the tag says it's safe to machine dry, hot air will damage the fibers of your shirt over time.
If air drying takes too much time for your lifestyle, set your dryer to a low setting (tumble dry, for example). You can then remove your favorite shirts from the dryer once they're just damp. Lay them out to air dry the rest of the way. This should cut down on damage from the dryer while also minimizing your air drying time.