Cashmere, angora, and other forms of wool shrink to fit if you know how to treat them, though. Below, we investigate how to shrink a wool sweater and provide you with some winning treatments. Our wool shrinking suggestions run the gamut from carefully applying heat to getting creative with scissors, needle, and thread. Our advice on the best ways to shrink wool gives you power over your old clothing and provides you with a few simple steps to help you maintain your sweaters at their original sizes.
Sheep wool and similar animal fibers react to heat, although they do so at a different rate than cotton fabrics. Wool shrinks after just a little heat. Quick bursts in a hot water cycle in your washing machine, followed by a low-heat dry cycle in your dryer, lets you control the shrinking process. With the proper precautions, your washing machine is your best friend and ally when shrinking clothing.
Use it as a go-to when you encounter oversized sweaters. Run the sweater through a ten-minute hot-water cycle. Place it in the dryer at low heat for about 25 minutes. Check on the piece of clothing every few minutes, and when it fits the way you like, remove it from the dryer to air dry it. Wet wool stretches and shrinks, depending on how you treat it.
Use this characteristic to turn your shapeless blob of yarn into a form-fitting fashion statement. Some patience on your part is all it takes to restore woolen sweaters; and, if you make an error? Get the fabric wet and reshape it. Fill a sink with cold water and add several drops of detergent. Soak the wool sweater for about ten minutes. Rinse the sweater in cold water. Do not wring the sweater out at this stage to avoid uneven shrinkage.
Instead, lay the wet sweater flat on a towel and roll the towel up to remove excess water. Put on the gloves, and gently work the wool to push the cloth together in areas that you want to shrink. Keep it away from radiators and direct sunlight, or it might shrink more than you wanted! What if your shrinking efforts go awry, or a regular wash has unwanted results?
Can you unshrink a wool jumper? Mix some fabric conditioner, such as Comfort Intense Fresh Sky into warm water. About two tablespoons are enough for a regular sink. Leave the item as it dries. Check periodically for the right size. Change the dryer settings to low when the garment is your desired size. Check the material. Fabrics like cashmere or mohair will ruin during the shrinking process. If your fabric is wool or a wool and cotton blend, wash it with hot water. Place it in the dryer on medium heat.
High heat can damage the fibers and change the look of the sweater. When the sweater is the right size, change the dryer settings to something more gentle or place it out to air dry the rest of the way. You can also spot-shrink sweater cuffs that have stretched out of shape. Simply boil water, dampen the cuffs with the hot water, re-shape them as desired, and then blow dry with a hair dryer on a high setting [source: Real Simple ].
Polyester : Some garments will shrink, some won't. It's a synthetic fabric that holds up well against the elements, which is why it's a desired material.
For those that are shrinkable, it may take a few laundry cycles for the drama to really unfold. Polyester holds up to heat well, so feel free to go for the hottest settings on your washer and dryer. Wash and dry the polyester items over and over until you've achieved the perfect size.
If it's still too big try applying an iron set to low to medium temperature to the garment when it's damp.
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