How to stretch a cap at home?

Sometimes in life there are situations when you need to increase the size of a product that has shrunk. Any material, if stored, washed or used incorrectly, changes the structure of the fibers and can decrease, and under external influences - increase. In our case, this is a headdress. So, how can you stretch your cap yourself?

Why did the cap shrink?

A leather cap purchased in size, once wet, needs to be properly dried. It should dry in natural conditions without access to direct sunlight and away from heating devices.

To keep the shape and size the same, fill it tightly with newspapers and change them as moisture is absorbed, or stretch them onto a blank and leave until dry. Make sure that it does not become deformed. Failure to comply with storage rules also entails a change in the size and shape of the headdress.

Important! Proper comprehensive care is the key to a long life of a leather product.

A fabric cap can shrink and become tight from improper washing - using an inappropriate cycle, aggressive powder or exposure to high temperatures. Drying near or on a heating radiator can also change the size of the cap downward.

Stretching methods at home

There are three methods to restore the size of a cap at home:

• mechanical stretching;
• exposure to high temperature and humidity;
• a combined method that includes elements of the previous ones.

Let's consider several ways to increase the volume of a headdress, using one of the listed methods as a basis. All of them are quite simple and do not require complex preparation or expensive investments.

A universal method that is suitable for working with caps made of any materials. An ordinary three-liter jar will help to increase the volume of a small cap:

• moisten the hat in those places that should be enlarged (only at the bottom, do not wet everything completely);
• pull it onto a jar turned upside down;
• the unmoistened bottom of the cap should not stretch along the bottom of the jar to avoid deformation. Let it stick out slightly without touching the glass;
• leave the hat in this position until completely dry;
• Instead of a jar, you can use a pan of a suitable size, a ball, or a flower pot.

Leather cap

Leather is a very capricious material and should be worked with very carefully. Otherwise, there is a high risk of spending money on a new hat. There are a couple more ways to stretch, but at the end - an obligatory return to the familiar jar.

Ironing:

• take a cotton piece of cloth, moisten it;
• place the cap on the ironing board;
• Gently iron the areas that need to be enlarged through the damp cloth, slightly pulling them in the desired direction. The iron temperature should be minimal;
• Place the product on a jar or pan until completely dry.

Using a steamer:

• place the device 15–20 cm from the leather product;
• steam, slightly stretching the material;
• then use a jar to dry the hat.

Using steam:

• heat the cap over steam (boiling water), steam it, holding it for several minutes;
• Place on a blank to dry.

Important! All methods will require care so as not to damage the hat, and caution so as not to injure yourself. Be very careful and follow safety precautions.

Fabric cap

The methods recommended for leather can be successfully used for fabric. But there are also others designed to change the position of the fibers in the fabric, making them slightly movable for the stretching process.

Using hydrogen peroxide:

• fill a bowl with water at room temperature;
• add 3-4 tbsp. l. hydrogen peroxide;
• rinse and wring out the cap;
• send it to dry in a jar.

Using vinegar:

• Dissolve 2 tbsp in warm water. l. vinegar;
• slightly moisten the areas of the cap where exposure is required;
• place the product on the jar.

Tips for housewives

1. Dry the hat on a blank (jar, pan) until completely dry under natural conditions at room temperature.
2. Long-term storage should be carried out on a blank in a dark place with periodic ventilation without access to moisture and sun.. Do not place the hat in a plastic bag.
3. Treat the dry cap with leather care products. Any aerosols, sprays, shoe creams are suitable.

When should you turn to professionals?

You need to seek professional help either when no method has helped, or immediately, even before the start of all manipulations. This is up to the owner of the cap to decide.

In the salons where hats are sewn, there are special electric blanks and chemical compositions for stretching. The blanks change size, adjusting to the desired size. If you are determined to resort to the services of specialized salons, then be sure that in a couple of days you will receive the hat back in its original condition.