You Can Actually Fix Your Shrunken Sweaters - Here's How

There's nothing worse than falling in love with a go-to statement sweater only to accidentally shrink it in the wash. Especially when you've invested in a high-quality garment that you hope will last several seasons, shrinkage can be devastating. And unfortunately, purchasing more expensive items doesn't guarantee that you'll avoid ruining it this way. "When we wash the fabric, the water acts like a lubricant and allows the yarn to relax and sometimes it relaxes to the point of not being under tension any more," textile scientist Rebecca Van Amber told The Guardian. "This causes shrinkage because the yarns ultimately retract and become shorter."

But there is hope — not every sweater that you accidentally shrink is doomed. Just as it's possible to shrink your stretched-out jeans, it's possible to un-shrink your sweater at home, depending on the extent of the damage. And the good news is this hack is quick, easy, and free. You'll just need to soak it in some water and hair conditioner, dry it off with some absorbent towels, and very gently stretch it back to its former glory. 

Before you set off to un-shrink your sweater, it's important to make sure that your sweater is indeed salvageable. Unfortunately, felted fibers are generally a write-off. This occurs when the fibers mash together into a matted mess and are no longer identifiable as individual fibers. But if your sweater has just shrunk in size, and the actual fibers aren't matted together (there will still be some give if that's the case), there's nothing stopping you from fixing it. Hopefully, your comfy vintage grandpa sweater is recoverable!

For those who are reluctant to attempt salvaging their shrunken sweaters at home, Howcast has created an extremely helpful tutorial. The first step is to fill a basin, sink, or tray that can fit your sweater with lukewarm water and around ⅓ cup of hair conditioner. Note that you can also use wool wash or baby shampoo. Leave your sweater to soak for around 10 minutes before draining the water. It's important not to ring the sweater dry, but you do want to get rid of excess water by pressing the garment against the sides of the sink or tray, and then laying it between two absorbent towels and gently blotting it. Once you've removed as much water as possible without ringing it, carefully stretch it back to its former size. To finish, let it air-dry on a clothes airer. 

Naturally, the best way to un-shrink your favorite sweater is to avoid shrinking it in the first place. As mentioned, avoiding this disaster isn't simply a case of going for expensive garments. Regardless of what kind of sweater you have and what sort of fabric it's made from, it's vital to check the label for laundry directions before washing it. If your sweater is inclined to shrinking, or perhaps can only be dry cleaned, it's best to know in advance. Additionally, hot water and dryers tend to be the biggest culprits for provoking shrinking, so keep your washing cycle cool. 

For items that are prone to shrinkage, you can add extra protection by selecting the settings for a delicate wash on your washing machine. "A good general rule of thumb is to stick to cold and delicate cycles," Whirlpool brand manager Morgan LaLonde explained to Southern Living. "Cold cycles are the way to go to prevent shrinking. Most fabrics are much more susceptible to shrinking when exposed to high heats."

With wool sweaters, in particular, the best options are usually hand-washing in cool water or dry cleaning, if it doesn't specify on the label. If hand-washing, it's important not to be too rough with cinching or scrubbing, and to let it air-dry rather than relying on a dryer.