- Clothing Care, Fashion
If your clothes are too small or have shrunk in the wash, use one of these four methods to stretch them out once again.
Tall Paul
May 31, 2022
Clothes that fit too tight can be uncomfortable and look awkward.
Clothes can often shrink in the wash if they are cared for incorrectly, which is usually accidentally done by using hot water in the washing machine or the wrong tumble dry setting in the dryer.
Many household substances such as baby shampoo, hair conditioner, baking soda, vinegar, and fabric softener can help to stretch out clothes when mixed with water.
Use our step-by-step instructions throughout this guide to effectively stretch your hoodie, t-shirt, sweatpants, joggers, shorts, and jeans.
Table of Contents
- Fastest way to stretch clothes: All equal time
- Best way to stretch clothes: Using hair conditioner
Supplies & Tools:
- Hair conditioner
- Fabric softener
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Baby shampoo
How To Stretch Clothes
If your clothes shrank in the wash from hot water, or were too small when you bought them, there are a handful of effective methods you can use to stretch them out!
Once stretched to your liking, put them away properly by hanging or folding your clothes so they stay in the shape you want and don’t wrinkle.
Continue reading below to see our step-by-step instructions on 4 useful methods you can use to help stretch your clothes.
Fabric softener or hair conditioner
Total Time: 2 hr
Cost: $0.65
- Buy Amazon Conditioner for $4.65
This method is often the most convenient since it’s likely you have hair conditioner or fabric softener already in your household.
This stretching method is good for cotton, polyester, and knitted garments.
1. Fill container to soak
Fill a container, basin, or sink with lukewarm water.
2. Add softener/conditioner
Add a few drops of hair conditioner or fabric softener to the water. Add ¼ cup at the most. Mix it in the water to dissolve.
3. Submerge the clothes
Submerge your clothes in the water and let soak for 15 to 30 minutes depending on the thickness of the item.
4. Remove the clothes
Remove the garment from the container and rinse under cold water until the soap is completely removed and the water runs clear.
5. Wring the clothes
Wring the garment or roll it up in an absorbent towel in order to remove excess water.
6. Stretch the clothes
Lay the garment evenly on a flat surface. Stretch the garment as far as possible and use weighted items to hold the garment in place.
7. Leave the clothes for 24hrs
Leave the garment for 24 hours to dry and stretch permanently.
8. Repeat as necessary
Repeat the process as necessary if you require further stretching.
Vinegar and baking soda
Total Time: 2 hr
Cost: $1.00
- Buy Acclaim Vinegar for $24.99
- Buy Pure Baking Soda for $7.99
This method involving baking soda and vinegar works best on garments made from natural fibers such as linen, cotton, and wool. It is not as effective on synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon.
1. Fill a basin with water for your vinegar and baking soda
Fill a basin, container, or sink with room temperature water. Put in enough to cover your clothes but not too much to dilute the vinegar and baking soda that you will add.
2. Add 2 tablespoons baking soda to the water
Add two tablespoons of baking soda to the water. Mix the baking soda in the water until it has fully dissolved.
3. Submerge your clothing in the baking soda water
Submerge your clothing in the baking soda water and let it soak for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the clothing from the baking soda water
Remove the clothing from the water and wring out the excess water. If your garment is delicate then use an absorbent towel to roll it.
5. Stretch the baking soda dampened clothing with your hands
Grab opposite sides of the garment with your hands, and proceed to gently pull and stretch the baking soda dampened garment.
6. Put the clothing back in the baking soda water and add more water
Put the clothing back into the baking soda water and add around 4-6 cups of water. It’s ok if you don’t get the exact amount, just eyeball it.
7. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the clothing in the baking soda water
Add one cup of white vinegar to the baking soda and water mix.
8. Soak the clothing for 45-60 min in the baking soda and vinegar water
Let the garment soak for 45 minutes to an hour.
9. Remove the clothing from the baking soda water and vinegar water
Remove the clothing from the water and wring the excess water out of the fabric until the item is slightly damp, and not soaking wet.
10. Air dry the stretched clothing once done the baking soda and vinegar technique
Allow to air dry by hanging (line dry) or laying flat (dry flat) on an indoor drying rack. Do not use the dryer.
Baby shampoo
Total Time: 2 days
Cost: $0.30
- Buy Johnson’s Baby Shampoo for $4.78
Using baby shampoo is a gentle way to stretch your clothes because it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. Use the baby shampoo method with garments made from cotton, cotton blends, wool, or knitted clothing.
1. Fill a basin with water for your baby shampoo
Fill a container, basin, or sink with lukewarm water for the baby shampoo to be added to.
2. Add 1 cup of baby shampoo to the water for stretching
Add one cup of baby shampoo to the water and mix until completely dissolved.
3. Submerge the clothing in the baby shampoo mixture
Submerge the clothing in the baby shampoo water mixture and let soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Agitate the clothing in the baby shampoo water with your hands
Use your hands to agitate and mix the garment in the water so that it can make plenty of contact with the baby shampoo.
5. Remove the clothing from the baby shampoo water
Remove from the container and wring out the excess water or roll in an absorbent towel.
6. On a flat surface stretch the clothing
Lay the garment evenly on a flat surface. Stretch out the edges of the garment and hold them in place with heavy items.
7. Leave the clothing where you have stretched it for 24 hours
Let the garment stay in place for 24 hours to dry and stretch. Repeat as necessary and hand wash the clothes again in water if the baby shampoo left a smell to them.
Follow our other guides if you have a specific piece of clothing you need stretched.
- How to Stretch Jeans
- How to Stretch Jeans Waist
- How to Stretch Sweatpants
- How to Stretch a Shirt
- How to Stretch a T-shirt
FAQ
Using elbow grease is one of the most effective ways to loosen tight clothes. You can also use fabric softener, baby shampoo, or hair conditioner mixed with water, to help loosen your clothes.
The fastest way to stretch clothes is by grabbing one end of the garment in each hand, and pulling. Do this all around the garment and you will likely have increased the size of the garment dramatically.
Use fabric softener, baby shampoo, or hair conditioner mixed with water, to help stretch out clothes that are too small.
If your shirt is made out of cotton the best way to stretch it is by using your hands and a little bit of elbow grease. Grab both ends of the shirt and pull with your hands in opposite directions.
Written and reviewed by
Tall Paul
Paul Marlow, standing at an impressive 6'7 (201cm) and weighing 225lb (102kg), is a mental health speaker, fashion expert, and ex-athlete who excels at helping tall men find well-fitting clothing and teaching them how to style it effectively. As a model in the fashion and film industries, Paul shares his expertise in tall men's fashion, offering valuable advice on measurements, tailoring, and alterations. In addition, he founded Never Alone, an organization that provides mental health and therapy inspiration, and started the Mental Growth Newsletter to support those facing mental health challenges, drawing from his own experiences.
