Clothing Has Shrunk — What to Do?

Shrunken wool and cotton can often be stretched back into shape. Soak the garment in lukewarm water with a splash of hair conditioner or fabric softener for 20–30 minutes — this relaxes the fibers. Gently press out the water (do not wring) and lay the item flat on a towel. Carefully stretch it by hand into the desired shape and pin the edges or weigh them down with books until it is dry. Synthetic fibers are very difficult to stretch; wool that has severely shrunk in the washing machine is usually beyond repair. In future, wash delicate items by hand or on a gentle cycle only.