Shrinkage of items after washing is a very unpleasant phenomenon. This is often caused by an incorrectly selected washing mode. The situation can be corrected. It is important to know how to prevent the product from becoming deformed and what to do to return the product to its original appearance.
My shirt shrunk after washing: what should I do?
There are many different methods for eliminating shrinkage. The choice of the final method depends on the quality and type of fabric. Therefore, it is recommended to act carefully when taking one of the methods.
Popular ways to solve the problem of shirt shrinkage after washing
Depending on the type of fabric, the final method will be chosen to return the shirt to its original appearance. If the product is wool, the following options are suitable:
- Water. Just soak the product for a while and squeeze lightly. Spread a terry towel and place the item on it. Wait until completely dry.
- Milk. Hand wash the shirt in milk and rinse. Gently wring out and place on a towel until dry.
- Freezing. Powder for woolen items is mixed with water and the product is immersed in the resulting solution. After rinsing and lightly spinning, place the items in a plastic bag. Place the bundle in the freezer for a day. Remove and leave the shirt like this until it is completely defrosted. Then it is unrolled, placed on a towel and left to dry.
Reference! Do not pull the item until it is completely dry. Otherwise the deformation will be stronger.
If the shirt is made of natural material, you should use the following methods:
- Vinegar and hair conditioner. Soak the clothes in the conditioner and wait until they are thoroughly soaked. Wet a sponge with 3% vinegar and blot the item, carefully stretching it in the desired areas. Do everything carefully, do not pull too hard. Clothes should be rinsed several times in water with conditioner.
- Peroxide. It is mixed with water in a ratio of 20 ml per 10 liters of liquid. The product is placed in the resulting solution and left for several hours. Afterwards, lightly wring out and send to dry on a towel.
Additionally, after these methods, you should iron the clothes using the steaming mode.
How to prevent your shirt from shrinking after washing
In order not to be interested in how to fix something that has shrunk, it is important to know about measures to help avoid problems:
- Examine the tags on clothing. They contain the necessary care information, including washing.
- The optimal temperature is 30 degrees. But the exact indicators depend on the type of fabric. The specified temperature will not allow the product to shrink.
- Items made from natural wool should be purchased a size larger. They always shrink a little during the first wash.
Why do shirts shrink after washing?
Shrinkage occurs when the tiny fibers that make up any fabric are deformed. Their structure is not ideally strong. External force may disperse, allowing water to pass through. When the material dries, the fibers stick together, there is no air between them. If they connect unevenly, then in addition to decreasing in size, the shirt will be skewed.
What parameters increase the likelihood of shirt shrinkage or deformation after washing?
Factors that increase the likelihood of shrinkage include:
- Fabric used. Natural ones are more susceptible to this problem.
- Violating the advice on the care tag.
- The shirt is not dried properly.
Optimal washing temperature (depending on material)
The choice of temperature depends on the type of material:
- Cotton, Linen. 40 degrees is suitable if there is no other information on the label.
- Synthetics. In the range from 40 to 50.
- Colored. Maximum 40 degrees in delicate mode.
- Silk. No more than 30 degrees.
- Dark. The maximum washing temperature is 40.
Gentle detergents
To reduce the likelihood of such an outcome, it is important to choose the right detergents. It is recommended to use gentle, gently cleansing materials without causing harm. Be sure to take into account the type of fabric and its color.
Correctly selected spin mode
In addition to temperature, it is important to consider the washing mode. For a shirt, delicate is the most suitable. That's why it's worth choosing. The hand wash mode is suitable, allowing you to carefully clean things. It is important to fasten all buttons before putting your garment in the machine. Avoid drying mode so as not to wrinkle the product too much.
Shirt shrank after washing: how to solve the problem as quickly as possible
To speed up the process of returning the shirt to its original appearance, you can use:
- Soaking in cool water. 10 minutes is enough. Then put the clothes on yourself and do not take them off until dry. Suitable for natural cotton.
- The product is turned inside out and placed on the ironing board. Place wet gauze on top and begin to iron it. Keep at a distance of at least 10 cm.
Which fabrics used for sewing shirts are most resistant to deformation and shrinkage?
Synthetics are less susceptible to shrinkage. Among natural fabrics that are less susceptible to deformation are chintz, satin, and silk. If it contains elastin, clothes shrink after washing, and after a while they will return to their previous size. To avoid problems with deformation, it is recommended to follow the care instructions indicated on the label. The correct temperature and mode will allow you to keep the product in the same size. But if you couldn’t save it, you can correct the situation using the above methods.
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