Shrinking clothes in the washer or dryer is one of the most common laundry mistakes. It’s easy to accidentally put something in the dryer for a little too long or use hot water when you meant to use cold water. Suddenly, your favorite shirt doesn’t fit anymore. We asked laundry pros to explain a viral unshrinking trick that some online creators swear can restore your items.
Let’s rip the band-aid off: Unshrinking your clothes isn’t really possible. The pros in the Home Care and Cleaning Lab have tested plenty of different methods, and none have proven effective in the long term. That said, experts have plenty of tips to help you avoid repeating this mistake.
If you can’t bear to part with an item that’s shrunk in the wash, we have plenty of ideas for repurposing old jeans and giving t-shirts a second life. Your item may not be wearable, but that doesn’t mean you need to toss it.
Ahead, pros explain what causes clothes to shrink and the truth about unshrinking clothes. For more laundry tips, read up on the laundry items you’re probably washing on the wrong setting and the items that should never go in the washing machine.
What causes clothes to shrink?
While you don't have to worry too much about certain materials shrinking (think synthetics like polyester and spandex), there are others that are unfortunately pretty prone to shrinkage—especially fabrics with natural fibers like cotton, silk, and wool. When these fabrics go through the washer and dryer and experience high heat and forceful tumbling, their fibers can tighten up.
Can you unshrink clothes?
There are few methods online that claim to unshrink clothes. The most popular involves soaking fabrics in lukewarm water and conditioner, then stretching the clothing back to its original size and letting it air dry. While that sounds easy enough, our GHI experts don't necessarily recommend it.
"We have never found any of the recommended methods to be successful," says Carolyn Forté, the former executive director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Our GHI Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab has even tested a product meant for unshrinking, and while it worked the first time, the clothing shrunk again after washing. While this may not be the best news, there are still expert-approved ways you can avoid shrinkage altogether in the future.
Tips to avoid shrinkage
Accidentally shrinking a piece or two of clothing is a universal experience. However, there are a few tips and tricks you can apply moving forward to prevent it from happening again.
- Check tags and follow instructions: Reading the care label will provide you with essential information about the type of fabric used and which wash cycle is recommended. This is one of the simplest ways to avoid shrinkage, so don't skip this step!
- Wash in cold water: Cold water is more gentle on fabrics than hot water. It can help prevent color bleeding, shrinking, and damage to fibers.
- Air dry or dry on low heat: Heat can cause certain fibers to contract, leading to shrinkage. Avoid the dryer all together to avoid damaging shrinkage-prone fabrics. Hang them out to air dry instead, or use low heat.
- Hand wash or use a delicate cycle: Avoid unnecessary agitation by hand washing certain pieces of clothing or choosing a delicate cycle.
Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.
