How to Stretch Clothes

Co-authored by Rani Gorgis

Last Updated: November 2, 2022 References

There are different ways to stretch out clothing items that have shrunk or are simply too small. Knit fibers like cotton, cashmere, and wool are the easiest materials to stretch out by soaking or spraying them, pulling the fabric, and air-drying them. Ingredients like baby shampoo, conditioner, baking soda, and vinegar can help to loosen the fabric fibers, making garments easier to stretch.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

1
Make a baking soda soak in a sink or basin. Dissolve 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda into 2 litres (8.5 c) of hot water. Let this mixture sit for several moments until the baking soda is dissolved. Do not place your garment into the soak until the baking soda is completely dissolved as it may stick to the fabric.^{[1]
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- Note that this soak will work better with natural fabrics like cotton and wool than with synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon.
2
Dip the garment into the soak and remove excess moisture. Completely submerge the item of clothing you want to stretch in the baking soda soak. Pull it out of the water and gently squeeze away excess moisture. To avoid damage, do not wring it out.^{[2]
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3
Stretch the garment gently with your hands. Gently pull the fabric of the garment in all directions to stretch it out. Be careful not to pull too hard or damage the fabric. Stretch the entire garment evenly to avoid an asymmetrical shape.^{[3]
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- Use rubber gloves to protect your hands form the baking soda if you have sensitive skin.
4
Let the garment soak for an hour, then drain the water. Once you have stretched the item to the shape you desire, place it back into the baking soda soak. Make sure the item is completely submerged in the water. Let it sit for an hour, then pour out or drain away the water.^{[4]
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5
Rinse the garment with a vinegar solution. In a small bucket, mix 1 litre (4.2 c) of warm water with about 0.25 litres (1.1 c) of white vinegar. Pour this mixture over the clothing item. The combined effects of the baking soda and vinegar should help to soften and stretch the fabric.^{[5]
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- Lay the garment out flat and let it air dry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Baby Shampoo or Conditioner

1
Prepare a gentle soak with warm water and a light cleaning solution. Fill a sink or basin full of warm water. Add about 0.33 cups (78 ml) of baby shampoo or hair conditioner to the water.^{[6]
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Research source} Alternatively, add a capful of a delicate detergent.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.}
- Note that this soak is intended for items made from knit fabrics like cotton, cashmere, or wool, which can be shrunk and unshrunk much more easily than synthetic fibers or silk.
2
Soak your garment for 10 minutes. Gently place your clothing item into the water. Leave it there for a full 10 minutes to relax the fabric fibers. The item should be fully submerged under the water during this time.^{[8]
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- If your clothing is made of a thick knit fabric, soak it for 20 minutes or more. Do not leave it to soak for longer than 2 hours.^{[9]
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3
Drain away the water and gently squeeze the garment. Remove the stopper from your sink to drain it or pour out the liquid from the basin. Gently squeeze the knit garment to remove as much wetness as possible.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.} Do not wring the clothing, which may alter its shape.^{[11]
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- Do not rinse the clothing with clean water after draining the liquid.
4
Lay the clothing out on top of a large, clean towel and roll it up to absorb moisture. Carefully remove your clothing item from the sink and position it flat on a clean towel. Starting at one end, gently roll up the towel with the garment inside. This motion will help the towel pull moisture away from the garment.^{[12]
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- After doing this, the clothing item should be damp, but not wet.
5
Trace the outline of a larger garment on a large piece of parchment paper. Choose an item of clothing that is the size you want your knit garment to be. Lay the item out flat on parchment paper. Carefully trace its outline with a pencil or ballpoint pen. ^{[13]
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- Do not trace the clothing with a felt tip pen or marker as the ink may run and stain your garment.
- Do not use regular paper, which may get mushy and lose its shape when damp.
6
Lay your damp garment on top of the tracing and gently stretch it out. Place the wet, knit garment you want to stretch flat on top of the parchment paper outline. Gently stretch the edges of the garment to fit the traced outline. To prevent damage, avoid stretching the fabric in large, aggressive motions.^{[14]
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7
Pin down the edges of the knit clothing with heavy objects. Once you have stretched the garment to the desired size, secure it by weighing it down. Place heavy items with smooth edges around the outline of the sweater to keep it in place. Such items could include paperweights, smooth stones, coffee mugs, or small hand weights.^{[15]
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- Do not use anything with sharp or uneven edges to pin down the garment, as these items could rip or damage the fabric.
8
Leave the garment in this position until it is dry. Do not remove the garment from the parchment paper until it dries completely. Depending on the garment, you may have to let it dry for a couple of hours, or overnight. If you remove it from its stretched out position when it is still damp, the fabric fibers are likely to contract as they dry.^{[16]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Stretching Jeans with Water

1
Lay your jeans out on a clean, dry surface. Remove any items you may have in your jean pockets. Place your jeans on a clean surface like a table or counter top. Smooth them out so that they lay flat.^{[17]
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2
Spray the tight-fitting areas of your jeans with water. Mist the parts of your jeans that are too tight, such as the calves or the waist. If your jeans are too tight all-over, spray the entire surface of your jeans. Be sure to spray the jeans on both the front and the back.^{[18]
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- The water will help to loosen the tightly-knit fibers, which will help the jeans stretch.
3
Stretch the jeans in all directions to loosen the fabric. Pull the jean fabric up and down with your hands, length-wise and width-wise. Focus on the tightest areas to add flexibility to the material. Do this repeatedly for several minutes to ensure that the fabric is reshaped.^{[19]
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- Since jean fabric is tough and resilient, you do not need to worry about ripping it.
- Be careful to avoid any decorative touches that may be on your jeans, such as rhinestones or intentional rips in the fabric.
4
Lay the jeans out flat and let them air dry. Once you have stretched the jeans, allow them to air dry. Putting them in a dryer will likely shrink them. Lay them out flat to ensure that they keep their new shape.^{[20]
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