Honey, I shrunk your hoodie...

October 21, 2010 8:25 AM

This question got me thinking: can I unshrink a poly/cotton hoodie?

I have a really nice faux fur-lined hoodie that my dearest beloved put into the dryer for me. Although it's supposed to be "dried flat." Ahem. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has ever successfully unshrunk something like this. The material is listed as 60% cotton and 40% poly.

I've tried washing it with a bunch of fabric softener and hanging it up, but that didn't do much. Lost cause? Please hope me, it's an awesome and irreplaceable hoodie!

posted by JoanArkham to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (3 answers total)

If I have a hoodie/sweatshirt type thing to 'unshrink', I just have someone bigger than me wear it for a bit. That usually does it.
posted by bolognius maximus at 9:14 AM on October 21, 2010

Best answer: Wash it in warm water. Remove from the washer and stretch it in every direction. If the fabric is thick and resistant, be a little remorseless with it; if it's thinner, use a bit more care. Lay it flat on a towel, and weigh down the edges if they're bouncing back. Check on it occasionally as it dries and restretch if necessary. All may not be lost, but another trip through the dryer and the shrinkage will probably be permanent.
posted by Work to Live at 9:23 AM on October 21, 2010

Best answer: After following Work to Live's advice about really stretching the crap out of it while it's wet, dry it by rolling it up in a large towel.

Spread the towel out flat on the ground, lay the hoodie on top of the towel and stretch it out so it's as large as it can possibly be, and then start rolling the towel/hoodie combo up tight like you're rolling up a sleeping bag. (This will get a lot of the extra water out while maintaining the larger shape.) Then you can unroll it and dry it flat.
posted by phunniemee at 9:32 AM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]