HOMEOWNERS are turning to a popular bathroom product to revive their clothes after they’ve been ruined in the laundry.
While many believe that once you’ve shrunk your clothes there is no turning back, you might have an item in your shower than can reverse the mistake.
“Don’t worry, some shrunken fabrics can be reversed” Morgan LaLonde, brand manager forWhirlpool told Southern Living.
For many, that in itself is a revelation, but Morgan then revealed that most people will already have the solution in their bathrooms.
What’s even better is that it will not break the bank.
Hair conditioner is apparently all you need to fix a fashion disaster.
The beauty product used to soften your hair will do the same to the fibres of your clothing.
This makes them more malleable so you can gently pull the garment back into shape, stretching it back to size.
LaLonde said there is a simple 5-step technique to fixing shrunken clothing.
First, fill a basin with lukewarm water and two tablespoons of hair conditioner.
Leave the item of clothing to soak for around half an hour and then wring out any moisture.
It is best to do this by squeezing the fabric rather than twisting as that could damage the material.
To get as much water out at possible, wrap the item in a towel and squeeze.
You then want to slowly stretch out the material to its original shape and you can then let it air dry.
The final stage is crucial, you must then re-wash and dry the piece of clothing according to the washing instructions on the label to avoid re-shrinking and to wash out conditioner residue.
Mild laundry detergent can also be used for this hack.
How this solution works on different fabrics
Wool and Cashmere
- You won’t be able to stretch back out wool that has been shrunk so much that the fibres have matted – if it has not got to this stage, you should be able to fix it.
- Cashmere is much more delicate so be very gentle when stretching it back to its original size.
Cotton
- This hack is effective on cotton. It is worth noting that the purer the cotton, the more it is likely to shrink while washing.
Polyester
- A blended polyester is much easier to stretch back out than non-blended polyester but this hack will work on both.
Linen
- Linen does not shrink as easily as other materials. You will not be able to fix shrunken pure linen but the hack should work on a linen blend.
Silk
- In the soaking stage of this hack, make sure you leave a silk garment in the water and conditioner solution for longer. Think 30 minutes to an hour. Gently stretch out fibres while soaking in water.
Denim
- Denim should stretch back out relatively easily. It is also a material that will stretch if worn when damp which can be a quick fix to slightly shrunken garments like jeans.