Many people opt to buy clothes online, but often the items they receive are too tight. This can be frustrating, especially if you can’t return the item. Don’t worry, there are some great tips to help you adjust your clothing to fit your body perfectly. Let’s explore these tricks together and ensure you never have to part with another too-tight garment again!
Note: The following methods can be applied to t-shirts, sweaters, and even knitwear without damaging the fabric.
1 How to Stretch a Shirt with Conditioner
What You’ll Need
- A bucket or sink filled with warm water, approximately 60-70°C.
- Hair conditioner (any brand will do). If you have a baby in the house, you can use baby shampoo.
- 2 clean, large towels.
Instructions
Step 1: Add the hair conditioner (or baby shampoo) to the bucket of warm water and stir until dissolved. Mix the conditioner with water in a 1-liter to 15ml ratio.
Step 2: Soak the shirt (or sweater, etc.) in the solution for about 15 minutes. Then, scrunch and stretch the fabric in different directions. If you want the shirt to be longer, stretch it vertically or diagonally. If the body or sleeves are too tight, stretch them horizontally. Soak the shirt for an additional 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: After soaking, rinse the shirt without using detergent, as this will remove the softness of the fabric. Rinse until there is no conditioner residue left on the shirt.
Step 4: After rinsing, place the shirt on a towel and roll it up with the shirt inside. Gently press the towel to absorb excess water from the shirt.
Note: Do not wring the shirt during this process.
Step 5: Use the second towel and place it over the shirt. Ensure the shirt is flat and free of creases. Then, stretch the shirt in different directions (put your hands inside the shirt and pull with equal force to ensure even stretching).
Step 6: Continue stretching until you’re happy with the size. You can place weights on the shirt to prevent it from shrinking back.
2 Easy Way to Stretch a Shirt Without Conditioner
What You’ll Need
- A bucket of warm water.
- A chair with a backrest of moderate size.
Instructions
Step 1: Soak the shirt (or sweater, etc.) in the bucket of warm water without conditioner.
Step 2: Squeeze out excess water from the shirt and drape it over the backrest of the chair. Ensure the chair is proportionate to the shirt to avoid over-stretching and damaging the fabric.
Step 3: Leave the chair in a dry place and allow the shirt to air-dry. That’s it! You now have a larger shirt that fits your body better.
3 Important Tips for Stretching a Shirt
To maintain the desired stretch of your shirt, avoid machine-washing and tumble-drying as this will cause the fabric to shrink back.
Do not hang the shirt to dry after stretching it with these methods, as this will lengthen the fabric further. Instead, use a clothes rack to air-dry the shirt.
If the shirt still hasn’t stretched enough to your liking, repeat the above methods or try them for a longer duration.
We hope these simple steps help you successfully stretch your shirts to your desired fit!
