How to Unshrink Wool Clothes (And Prevent Them From Shrinking Again)

Nothing’s worse than taking your laundry out of the dryer just to discover you accidentally shrunk your favorite wool sweater. Luckily, even if the piece has shrunken drastically, there are a few ways to stretch the cloth back to its original size. For this article, we interviewed professional dry cleaners and laundry specialists to teach you how to stretch shrunken wool cloth. Plus, learn how to prevent shrinkage, what causes wool to shrink in the first place, and how to shrink wool back to size if you stretch it too much.

Stretching Wool Sweaters & Garments: Overview

Laundry specialist Rani Gorgis says to mix hair conditioner or baby shampoo in a bucket of lukewarm water. Soak the item for half an hour, then take it out and squeeze it gently to remove excess water. Lay the item flat and use your hands to gently stretch it out in each direction. Then, lay it flat to air dry.

Section 1 of 6:

The Best Way to Stretch Wool Cloth

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Fill a basin with water and hair conditioner or baby shampoo. According to laundry and dry cleaning expert Ocean Van, one of the best ways to stretch shrunken wool cloth is by making a baby shampoo or hair conditioner bath.^{[1]
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Ocean Van
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview} Fill a sink, bucket, or basin with enough lukewarm water to fully submerge your shrunken wool garment or cloth. Mix in about ¼ to ⅓ cup (59 to 79 mL) of hair conditioner or baby shampoo. Stir the water with your hands to mix it.^{[2]
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- Both regular conditioner and baby shampoo work to relax and loosen the fibers of the wool so that it can be stretched out.
- This method works for all kinds of wool garments—great for stretching sweaters and pants!
Place the shrunken wool in the basin of water, making sure that the item is fully submerged. Let it soak for 10-30 minutes so that the shampoo or conditioner has enough time to loosen the fibers. Larger garments may need to soak longer.^{[3]
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Remove the wool from the bath and roll it up in a towel. “Pull the item out of the soak and squeeze gently to remove excess water,” says Gorgis.^{[4]
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Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} Do not rinse out the shampoo or conditioner. Lay out a clean towel on a table or counter and place the wool on top of it. Starting from one end, roll the towel up with the wool inside of it to remove more moisture.^{[5]
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- Rinsing the wool would remove the shampoo or conditioner, which the wool still needs to help the fibers stretch out.
- “Make sure not to wring the garment,” adds dry cleaner and laundry specialist Ayad Mirjan. “This will stretch out the garment.”^{[6]
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Stretch the wool in sections. Unroll the towel and take out the wool item. Spread out another clean, dry towel and place the shrunken wool on top of it. Use your hands to gently stretch the wool section by section, including by the top and bottom and both sides. The fibers should be more elastic than usual, allowing you to stretch the garment back to its original shape and size. Gorgis advises, “Be cautious not to pull too hard, as it may damage the fabric.”^{[7]
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Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview}
- If you’re not sure how much you need to stretch the wool, compare its size to another garment that fits you correctly. Use that garment as a guide.
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Leave the wool to air dry. Once the wool item is stretched to its original size, leave it to dry on another clean, dry towel. Do not put the wool in the dryer, as the heat may cause it to shrink back down. Don’t worry that you have not washed out the shampoo or conditioner, as this will not harm the wool or affect its texture.^{[8]
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- If the item hasn’t stretched enough, repeat the entire stretching process.
- Mirjan advises not to dry your garments in direct sunlight, as this may cause them to fade.^{[9]
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EXPERT TIP

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA).

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Use a fan to dry your garments faster. If you have a ceiling fan, place your clothes immediately underneath it, ensuring all the clothes are separate and not layered on top of each other. A floor fan can also work if you rotate the clothes rack to ensure every item gets its share of the blowing air.

Section 2 of 6:

Other Ways to Stretch Shrunken Wool

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Soak your shrunken wool in a vinegar and water bath. Mix 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water in a sink or basin, making sure that there’s enough liquid to completely cover the wool. Submerge the wool completely for about 25 minutes, then take it out of the bath. Gently squeeze out the excess water, then press it with a clean, dry towel to absorb more moisture. Gently stretch the wool with your hands until it’s back to its original size, then allow it to air dry.^{[10]
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- Just like you would when using the conditioner method, use your hands to stretch the shrunken wool in small sections, including from top to bottom and side to side.
- Lay the item on a drying rack and leave it alone until it’s completely dry.
- If the wool hasn’t stretched enough, repeat the process.
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Try Epsom salts if your wool is machine-washable. Epsom salts can sometimes relax wool fibers, making them easier to stretch. If you normally machine wash your wool item, wash it on a cool, delicate cycle with a cup of Epsom salts in the machine. When the cycle is done, take the garment out and lay it flat. Gently stretch the edges with your hands until it’s the correct size, then allow it to air dry.^{[11]
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- If your wool item isn’t machine-washable, don’t try this method.
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Stretch and pin the wool if nothing else works. Wet the wool in lukewarm water so that it’s saturated but not soaked. Lay out two dry bath towels side-by-side on a flat surface, and pin down the edges using heavy objects. Stretch the wool item by hand, working in small sections. Then, pin the bottom edge of the wool to the towel using sewing pins. Pull the top of the garment to stretch it, then pin it as well. Do the same with both sides of the wool, then leave the pinned item to air dry.^{[12]
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- Pinning the wool can damage the garment by creating gaps in the wool, so keep this in mind if you decide to try this method.
- Carefully remove the pins once the wool is completely dry. The item should then keep its stretched shape.

Section 3 of 6:

Preventing Wool Shrinkage

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Wash wool separately using a wool detergent. Avoid washing your wool garments with the rest of your laundry. Many standard laundry detergents contain enzymes that can break down the proteins found in wool fibers. Instead, use a detergent specifically designed for wool. When washing delicate items, Gorgis says, “Always follow the fabric care instructions listed on the item.”^{[13]
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Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview}
- In general, it’s best to handwash wool, but some garments may be okay on a delicate cycle.
- Do not use hot water when washing wool, as heat causes shrinkage. Instead, opt for cold or lukewarm water.
- If you’re machine-washing, place your wool garments in a mesh bag to protect them from snagging and damage.
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Wash your wool items less frequently. In general, try to wash wool less frequently than the rest of your laundry. The more you wash it, the more likely it is to shrink or become otherwise damaged. Often, airing wool out in cool, outdoor air is enough to refresh it, and you can usually spot clean small stains.^{[14]
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- If you need to wash your wool more often, consider dry cleaning. Professional dry cleaners know how to handle wool so it doesn’t shrink.
Heat causes wool to shrink, so avoid putting your wool items in the dryer. Instead, allow them to air dry by laying them flat or using a drying rack. If you must use a dryer, laundry specialist Robert Shapiro says, “Dry it at low heat, and take it out when it is slightly damp, not completely dry. That [will help] prevent any type of shrinkage that might occur.”^{[15]
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Robert Shapiro
Laundry Specialist

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Section 4 of 6:

Why does wool shrink?

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While wool is known for its natural elasticity, it can shrink if handled incorrectly. When wool is exposed to water and heat, the fibers contract and lock together, resulting in shrinkage. For this reason, it’s best to wash wool in cool water and to let it air dry.^{[16]
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Section 5 of 6:

How to Shrink Wool on Purpose

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If you need to shrink wool because it’s too big, the process is fairly straightforward. Wash the wool as you normally would, using a mild detergent. Then, place it in the dryer, using a medium or high heat setting. Check on the wool every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t shrink too quickly. If it does, reduce the temperature and continue drying.^{[17]
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Section 6 of 6:

Stretching Wool FAQs

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Generally, items that are 100% wool can be stretched back to their original size. However, results may vary for items that aren’t 100% wool. Factors like the type of wool, weave, and quality can all affect how well a wool item stretches. If the wool has felted (meaning the fibers have shrunk and matted together), it may not be possible to repair it.^{[18]
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All wool can shrink, but in general, wool blends and sweaters made from coarse or loosely spun wool fibers are more prone to shrinking. Always follow the instructions on your garment’s care label to avoid shrinkage.^{[19]
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Why did my wool sweater shrink in cold water? Water temperature isn’t the only thing that causes wool to shrink. Detergent also plays a role. If you didn’t use a detergent specifically designed for wool, the enzymes in the detergent may have broken down the proteins in the item’s fibers and caused it to shrink. Be sure to use a wool detergent and follow the item’s specific care instructions to avoid future issues.^{[20]
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- Make sure to lay wool garments flat to dry, as well.
The best way to avoid overstretching your wool is to use another garment as a guide. For example, if you’re stretching out a wool sweater, lay it on top of a sweater that fits you well. Then, stretch the wool garment so it’s the size and shape of that sweater.^{[21]
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Join the Discussion...

How do I unshrink clothes I accidentally shrunk?

WikiFlamingoRider304

Asking for a friend here....I accidentally put one of my favorite shirts through the dryer when it's supposed to air-dry, and it totally shrunk. I'd really love to wear it again, but it just doesn't fit right anymore. Do I have to give this shirt up and get a new one, or is there some way I can unshrink it again without it looking weird?

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How do I unshrink a woven wool shirt?

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Use the same method as is outlined in the article.

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If you only noticed a slight change, you may need to try the process a few times before the wool is significantly stretched.

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Using a baby shampoo or conditioner is the most tried and true way of stretching wool, so it’s the best place to start.

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