Sweaters are one of our essential garments, but we often encounter this problem: sweaters shrink. But, what should we do after the sweater shrinks? Can it be restored to its original shape?
Don’t worry, here are some tips on how to deal with sweater shrinkage:
1. For sweaters that have shrunk severely, you might as well steam them in a steamer and then stretch them while they are hot to restore them to their original size. This is because wool fiber has the characteristics of thermoplasticity, that is to say, in a certain humidity and temperature, wool can easily change its shape and remain unchanged after cooling. Therefore, we can use the action of hot steam to open the scales of the wool fibers and restore their original elasticity and fluffiness. Then, after proper stretching, the sweater can be restored to its original shape.
The specific method is as follows: first add shampoo to a basin of warm water at about 30 degrees Celsius, wash the sweater, wrap it in a cloth and dehydrate it; take a household steamer and scrub the steamer and pot with detergent cover and remove oil traces. Add an appropriate amount of water to the steamer and bring it to a boil. Fold the cleaned sweater and put it into the steamer. Steam for about 10 minutes and then stop the heat. Put on thick gloves and take out the sweater; cut a piece of thick cardboard the same size as the sweater. (Including two sleeves), put tape on the cut to avoid scratching the clothes, then put the sweater on the thick cardboard, pull the corners, collar and cuffs to the size of the thick cardboard, and fix them with pins or clips, individually The area can be stretched by hand. After it has completely cooled, remove the cardboard and lay the sweater flat to dry in the shade. It should be noted that before stretching, you should know the total length of the sweater and the length ratio of each part, and you should not stretch too much at one time. After all the pulls are completed, use a ruler to measure the total length. If the length is not enough, repeat the process.
2. Pour warm water into the basin, add a small amount of household ammonia water, and then soak the sweater. The soap components left on the wool will dissolve. Gently stretch the reduced part with both hands at the same time, then rinse and dry. When it is semi-dry, pull it apart with your hands to get its original shape, then iron it with an iron to restore it to its original size.
3. Use thick cardboard (cardboard from home appliance packaging boxes) to cut it into the size and shape of the original sweater, and polish the cut with sandpaper to avoid snagging the sweater. Put the sweater on the cardboard, secure it with a few clothespins at the bottom, and then use an electric iron to repeatedly steam iron various parts of the sweater, and remove it after it is completely cooled. Put the washed sweater into a steamer and steam it for about 15 minutes. Then take it out and pull it to its original size by hand, then place it on the table to dry naturally. Save money without damaging the sweater.
Methods to prevent sweater shrinkage:
The water temperature must be around 35°C. Use high-grade neutral detergent for washing. Do not put too little detergent, otherwise it will not be clean and it will shrink easily. The ratio of water to detergent is 3:1. Cannot be washed in a washing machine. After washing, press with dry cloth.
Tricks to refresh your woolen sweater:
When the woolen sweater has shortened and hardened, you can wrap it up with a clean white cloth, put it in a steamer and steam it for ten minutes. After taking it out, shake it slightly to loosen the fibers, and then carefully pull it back to its original shape. and size, lay it flat on the back of a sheet or screen, dry in the shade in a ventilated place, and it will return to its original shape after drying.
Woolen or woolen fabrics will gradually lose their original luster if washed too many times. If you rinse them with clean water a few times, add a few drops of vinegar to the clean water and continue rinsing to neutralize the acid and alkaline, woolen and wool fabrics will lose their original luster. The fabric will regain its original luster.
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