Quite often there are situations when, in the process of wearing, a thing becomes large. This happens for various reasons, due to improper care or weight loss. It's a shame if your favorite dress or trousers begin to hang. But do not despair, because the problem can be solved by washing. Want to learn how to wash a thing so that it sits down? Read on.
Why do fabrics stretch
The threads are slightly twisted during the production of the material. During wear, under the influence of moisture, temperature changes and mechanical influence, they begin to stretch. As a result, the thing loses its original shape. Changes may occur disproportionately. Products made from cotton material most often increase in width. This happens due to the fact that the cutting of the fabric is carried out along the share, and the weft threads stretch faster. The weft thread is twisted weaker intentionally so that the transverse strip can freely pass through the lobar one, and the weft fills the space between them more densely. The material from this becomes more voluminous and lush.
Knitwear can stretch both in width and in length. This happens for several reasons:
- Intense mechanical action during wear.
- Natural increase in body temperature.
- Getting wet.
- Failure to use, wash and dry the product.
Things from natural fabrics sit much better than synthetics. Linen, viscose and cotton are greatly reduced in size. But this does not mean that artificial materials are not subject to shrinkage. It is possible to return the original shape or reduce the thing, for this it is necessary to purposefully use the temperature drops of water and steam. So, how to wash a thing so that it sits down?
Washing Tips
In order to reduce the product, it is not necessary to alter it. There are simpler and less expensive options that help to reduce one or even two sizes, for example, washing. Once you learn how to wash a garment to shrink, you no longer have to get rid of loose clothes and refuse to buy if the size is out of stock. But it should be remembered that not any fabric shrinks. Wool, denim, cotton and silk items shrink when washed. In addition, it is impossible to accurately predict how a particular thing will behave, along with the size, it may also lose color. Therefore, the methods listed below should be used carefully.
Basic shrinkage methods
There isseveral ways to deliberately reduce the size. The choice should be made depending on the type of material and the desired result:
- Using hot steam (iron).
- Soaking and washing items in high temperature water followed by hot drying.
- Contrasting. First, the thing is kept and washed at a very high temperature, then sent to ice water and dried with hot steam.
- Boiling.
- High setting or sun drying
Depending on what result you want to achieve, people use this or that method. But, remember that it is impossible to predict the outcome with accuracy. Therefore, in some cases, it is recommended to use a phased impact. If the product has already undergone intentional shrinkage, then it will not work again.
Cotton clothes
Don't know how to wash cotton to shrink? It is important to know that cotton material shrinks even when exposed to low temperatures (40 degrees), so you should evaluate the product from it only after the first wash.
If after that the need to remove a couple of centimeters remains, then throw the product into the washing machine and set the program with a temperature regime above 40 degrees. For colored laundry, use a special detergent to prevent fading.
A very common question is how to wash a cotton thing so that it sits down. To shrink a size or even two, you need to lowerproduct in boiling water for 15-20 minutes. The longer the shutter speed is, the stronger it will sit. After the time has elapsed, you need to carefully remove the item, transfer it to a bowl of cool liquid and rinse. Air dry.
There is another way to reduce cotton - exposure to hot air (drying). For this purpose, you can use a dryer or a layout near a heater.
Linen
Linen also has a tendency to shrink under certain conditions. How to wash a linen thing so that it sits down? Only hand, not machine wash is allowed, and at a water temperature of 90 degrees. After that, thoroughly rinse the item several times and leave to dry.
Woolen items
Wool is classified as a natural material, so reducing it will not be difficult. So, how to wash woolen things to sit down? First, the products will need to be soaked for half an hour in a container of hot water and manually remove contamination, if any. When washing wool, be aware that using the machine and changing the temperature can reduce the item to such an extent that only a child can wear it.
It is recommended to rinse clothes made of wool in cold and even icy water so that the fibers “calm down” under the influence of a sharp change in temperature. So that the thing does not lose its original appearance, it cannot be twisted. At the end of washing, carefully squeeze out excess water and lay the product on a flat surface until completelydrying. To speed up this process, you can place it near a hot battery or on a heated towel rail. A towel must be placed under the item.
You need not only to know how to wash a knitted item so that it sits down, but also to remember the characteristics of wool. If you hang a sweater on a rope or coat hanger, it will be irrevocably damaged. The product will lose its shape and stretch.
Shrinkage of synthetics
Don't know how to wash a thing so that it sits down? Man-made materials are difficult to shrink or stretch by washing or drying. To remove a few inches on a nylon or polyester item, you can try washing it in cool water and sending it to dry in a dryer. Spandex, acrylic and lycra belong to the category of especially durable fabrics, so they do not shrink. You can change the size of products from them only when contacting the studio.
Jeans
Denim items are always very popular, only the style of products, quality indicators of fabric and shape change. Only a denim item made from natural denim can remove a few centimeters with washing. If synthetic fibers are present, shrinkage is almost impossible.
Classic jeans can be washed down by contrasting. First, the thing is sent almost to boiling water for 20-30 minutes, and then rinsed in ice water. When washing in a machine, set the program to 60–90 degrees and spin at maximum speed.
It is important to remember that hot water is not recommended for washing dark and black clothes, as the color will change when exposed to it. You can also use an automated tumble dryer or a hot battery to shrink jeans.
Delicate materials
It is better not to experiment with things made of thin and delicate fabrics, as they have too delicate and easily destroyed fibers. For example, a silk blouse should only be washed in warm water and dried naturally. This may reduce the size. But machine drying and washing of such products is strictly prohibited.
Leather
The need to shrink a leather thing is extremely rare. But if this happens, then most often we are talking about jackets. The skin itself, in principle, cannot be washed, which is why the shrinkage process will be very unusual. The surface of the product must be treated with a waterproof composition, and then soak it in a container with warm water for half an hour. The jacket is dried in the fresh air. All actions are performed very carefully so that the appearance of the clothes is not damaged.
How to wash a knitted item so that it sits down
Washing machine will help reduce the volume of jersey T-shirts. Wash on the program with the highest temperature and highest spin speed.
There is another way that does not involve washing. Dip the blouse for five minutes in boiling water - and you're done! If you increase the soaking time to 15 minutes, then the thing will become one and a half to two less.size.
Memo on material shrinkage
To get the desired result, you need to follow some rules:
- Use gentle methods first: hot air steaming, washing at high temperatures, and more. It is worth switching to radical methods only in extreme cases.
- When using a washing machine, it is impossible to control the process, the thing may sit down too much. Therefore, it is recommended to do everything manually.
- Hot water washes out the dye, making the item dimmer.
- If the product has become too small, then you can try to correct the situation. To do this, it is thoroughly moistened, slightly dried, and then put on when wet and walk. At the same time, you should be active - squat and move. The item will stretch a little.
The shrinkage process is natural and manageable during soaking and further drying. Knowing all the subtleties, you can easily correct small oversights with the size.
Are there any special products for fabric shrinkage
The question of how to wash a woolen thing so that it sits down, and, most importantly, how, is quite common. Unfortunately or fortunately, you will not find fabric shrinking compositions for sale. This is due to the fact that a shrunken thing is considered more of a cause for grief than for joy. Therefore, it is logical that industrial funds are not produced for this purpose.
If you have lost weight, it is better to alter the product or put it in the far corner of the closet, who knows, maybe it is for youstill useful.
