Key Takeaways
Enlarging a shrunken sweater is entirely possible with the right techniques. Use lukewarm water and a mild shampoo, glycerin for felted sweaters or white vinegar. flat drying and manual stretching are also solutions. With a little patience and delicacy, you can recover the original size of your favorite sweater.
The French brand The Oversized Hoodie® 🇫🇷 is famous for its oversized sweater high-end, certified Oeko-Tex® Standard 100. It is entirely vegan, free of toxic and chemical substances, and promotes a cruelty-free approach towards animals. These clothes which have also been honored by the “Confiance Textile” Quality Label, are distinguished by their incomparable softness and their excellent quality-price ratio, providing a feeling of unrivaled comfort.
Understanding sweater shrinkage
sweaters made from wool, cashmere or other natural fibers tend to shrink when washing due to friction and temperature of the water. This shrinkage is due to the felting of the mesh which tightens. To avoid it, appropriate maintenance is essential.
- 91% of French people are able to repair their old clothes to keep them longer. [1]
- 42% of French people exchange their old clothes for other clothing items. [1]
- 13% of French people rent clothes, a booming practice. [1]
Also read: How to enlarge a hoodie effectively ?
The causes of shrinkage in a sweater
The shrinkage of a sweater can have several causes:
- Wash too hot
- Machines too vigorous
- Residues of aggressive products
- Drying unsuitable
A wool sweater or cashmere sweater requires special care to maintain its initial shape.
Also read: How to wash a wool sweater ?
Techniques for relaxing a shrunken sweater
The warm water and shampoo method
Soak the shrunken sweater in a bath of lukewarm water with a tablespoon of mild shampoo without residue. Leave to act for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Rinse gently and dry flat on a towel.
The use of glycerin to recover a felted sweater
For a felted sweater, mix half a bottle of lukewarm water with 2 tablespoons of glycerin. Immerse the garment and leave to soak for several hours, kneading regularly. This tip allows you to relax the fibers and regain the original elasticity.
White vinegar to make a sweater bigger
Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into hot water.Soak the pull for 30 minutes, massaging gently. Rinse with cold water and dry flat. The vinegar helps to relax the stitches and enlarge the garment.
Using cold water and mild shampoo
Another technique consists of soaking the sweater in a bath of cold water with a few drops of mild shampoo for 2 to 3 hours. Rinse thoroughly and dry flat. cold water prevents felting.
Flat drying technique
After washing, do not dry the sweater hanging but flat by gently stretching it in all directions to restore its shape. This simple method makes it possible to prevent shrinkage.
Using conditioner to relax the fibers
You can also add a little leave-in conditioner to the warm bath soaking water. The detangling agents will soften the fibers and facilitate the relaxation of the sweater.
Manual stretching, an effective technique ?
Finally, you can try to manually stretch the still wet sweater in all directions to return it to its size. Use with caution so as not to damage it. Then dry it flat.
As the founder of The Oversized Hoodie®, I can assure you that these natural methods for relaxing a sweater work wonderfully. I myself have saved many favorite sweaters by soaking in warm water with vinegar or glycerin. With a little patience and gentleness, you will regain the original elasticity of your clothes, including your wool sweaters.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®
Also read: Why does my wool sweater itch ?
Relaxing a shrunken garment: alternative solutions
Natural products to relax a sweater
In addition to vinegar and glycerin, other natural ingredients such as oat bran, Baking soda or eggs can help relax a scrunchy sweater. Do some research to find the right method.
Grandmothers' techniques for fixing a shrunken sweater
How to enlarge a sweater with knitting needles ?
A tip from our grandmothers: take the stitches of the sweater with large knitting needles to separate them and widen the garment. A delicate operation to carry out with patience.
How to make a sweater bigger with steam ?
You can also hang the sweater and spray with very hot water by stretching in all directions. The steam will relax the mesh and allow you to enlarge it.
How to enlarge a crochet sweater ?
Finally, another craft technique consists of taking the stitches of the sweater with a large hook to separate them and increase the dimensions of the garment.
Also read: How to wash a cashmere sweater ?
Enlargement technique depending on the material
Can you enlarge a wool sweater ?
Yes, it is possible to enlarge a wool sweater using the methods detailed above such as soaking in lukewarm water, the use of natural products or even manual stretching. wool is a fiber which supports this type of handling.
Can you enlarge a cotton sweater ?
A cotton sweater can also be enlarged by soaking it in hot water with white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda. cotton is a material that lends itself well to this type of technique.
Can you enlarge an acrylic sweater ?
For a acrylic sweater, a synthetic material, soaking in hot water and stretching are also solutions possible. But you will have to be more delicate to avoid damaging it.
Can you enlarge a felted sweater ?
Yes, even a felted sweater can be recovered thanks to glycerin which will help relax the fibers and restore elasticity. A method particularly effective.
At The Oversized Hoodie®, we are committed to offering sustainable clothing to our customers. This is why we strongly encourage appropriate maintenance to extend the life of our creations.
I remember a customer who contacted us, devastated that her favorite oversized sweater had shrunk in the wash.
Thanks to our advice on soaking in warm water with glycerin, she was able to regain the original elasticity and size of her garment. She was delighted to be able to wear it again!
Also read: Why put a sweater in the freezer ?
Preventing a sweater from shrinking
Wool care tips
To avoid having to enlarge your sweaters, follow these care tips for wool:
- Hand wash in cold or lukewarm water maximum 30°C
- Use a special detergent or a Marseille soap
- Avoid wringing and twisting
- Dry flat on a cloth
Avoid going through the washing machine
machine washing should be avoided for wool sweaters because friction and heat promote felting and shrinkage. Prefer a gentle hand wash.
Adequate drying for a wool sweater
After washing, never hang a wool sweater to dry. Spread it flat on a cloth, stretching it gently to keep its initial shape.
Mistakes to avoid when washing a sweater
For your sweaters in wool or cashmere, avoid:
- Detergents that are too concentrated
- Aggressive products such as bleach
- Washing too hot
- Mechanical spinning
- Machine drying
At The Oversized Hoodie®, we attach great importance to the sustainability of our creations. This is why we strongly recommend that you follow these care tips to prevent your wool or cashmere sweaters from shrinking. Gentle hand washing and flat drying will keep them for years.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®
Also read: How to recover a pilling sweater ?
How to defelt a wool sweater ?
Tips for defelting a damaged sweater
If your wool sweater is felted, you can try to defelt by rubbing it gently with a clothes brush or a dethatching grater. Use circular movements to untangle the fibers.
Recovering a felted sweater: effective techniques
You can also defelt a sweater by soaking it in a bath of lukewarm water with glycerin, vinegar or mild shampoo. Then massage it gently to relax the mesh.
Also read: How to remove pilling from a sweater ?
Saving an item of clothing that is too small: mistakes not to make
When trying to enlarge a sweater or other shrunken garment, avoid at all costs:
- Too much pull or stretch the fabric
- Using aggressive chemical products
- To make it dry by hanging it
- To wash it at a temperature that is too high
Are there any risks in making a sweater bigger ?
Yes, there are certain risks in wanting to enlarge a sweater which has shrunk:
- Deform the clothing irreversibly
- Damage the fibers and the quality of the fabric
- Create holes or make gap the mesh
This is why it is important to follow the advice to the letter and to proceed with gently and precaution.
Also read: How to Transform a Sweater into a Chic Crop Top ?
Conclusion
As you will have understood, there are many techniques to try to recover a shrunken sweater. From natural methods like soaking in warm water with vinegar or glycerin to manual tips like 'stretching or recovery of stitches.
| Technical | Product used | Water temperature | Drying mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soak and Shampoo | Gentle shampoo | Lukewarm | Flat on a napkin |
| Use of glycerin | Glycerin | Lukewarm | Flat, regular mixing |
| White vinegar soak | White vinegar | Hot | Flat |
| Soak with mild shampoo (cold water) | Gentle shampoo | Cold | Flat |
| Dry flat and stretch | Conditioner (optional) | - | Flat, manual stretching |
| Manual stretching | - | - | Flat after stretching |
With a little patience and by following our advice, you can enlarge your favorite sweater and give it back its shape and its original size. Don’t hesitate to test the different solutions offered to find the one that suits you best!
FAQ
How to enlarge a garment that is too small ?
To enlarge a clothing that is too small, you can soak it in a bath of lukewarm water with white vinegar, glycerin or mild shampoo. Massage it gently then dry it flat by stretching it. manual stretching is also an option.
How to recover a shrunken sweater ?
The best techniques for recovering a shrunken sweater are soaking in lukewarm water with natural products like vinegar or glycerin, wash in cold water, flat dry and hand stretch.
How to relax a sweater ?
To relax the stitches of a sweater and restore its shape, soak it in a bath in lukewarm water with mild shampoo, vinegar or glycerin. You can also gently stretch it while still damp.
How to enlarge a sweater by machine ?
It is not recommended to pass a sweater through a machine to try to enlarge it because the friction and the heat may damage it. Prefer hand wash with natural products.
How to make a sweater bigger ?
To make a sweater bigger, use soaks in lukewarm water with vinegar, glycerin or gentle shampoo followed by drying flat by stretching. manual stretching can also be effective.
How to recover a wool sweater that has shrunk ?
For a shrunken wool sweater, soak it in a bath of lukewarm water with glycerin or mild shampoo . Massage it gently then dry it flat by stretching it.You can also try manual stretching.
What is the best method to enlarge a wool sweater ?
The best method to enlarge a wool sweater is to soak it in a bath of lukewarm water with glycerin or mild shampoo, massage it well then dry it flat by stretching it in all directions.
How to fix a wool sweater that has shrunk in the wash ?
To recover a shrunken wool sweater, immerse it in a bath of lukewarm water with glycerin or white vinegar . Let it soak, massaging regularly, then dry it flat by stretching it carefully.
References
[1] "Clothing recycling figures in France", Teeamo
