How To Keep Clothes From Stretching In The Wash

Whether it’s dry clean only, hand wash in cold water, or machine wash normal, the manufacturer’s label will be your first line of defense to making sure your garments don’t shrink or stretch during washing and drying. Find out more about how to read care labels.

Garments may stretch from the agitation, spinning and tumbling during the washing and drying process. Downy^® Fabric Conditioner lubricates the fabric of your garments, making them more fluid, so that clothes can return to their original shape more easily.

Never wring your garments out before drying. To remove excess moisture before laying your garment flat to dry, shape it flat on a thick, clean bath towel, and roll it up from the bottom, pressing out water as you go. Depending on the size of the garment, you can also use your salad spinner to remove extra water—it’s gentler than your washing machine

Lay clothes flat on a laundry screen rather than hanging them to dry. In particular, heavy clothes such as knits and cottons will stretch out over time when they’re hung to dry.

When hanging clothes in the closet, use hangers that fit well. If the hanger is too large or too small, the top can stretch out of shape. If you’re hanging a garment without a button or zipper closure, tuck the hanger up through the bottom of the garment until the hook emerges from the neckline—don’t force the hanger through the neck hole.

Folding your sweaters and T-shirts and storing them flat will help them hold their shape longer—using hangers can stretch them out.

Unbutton the buttons and unzip the zippers when you’re putting on and taking off garments. Not taking these steps can stretch out your clothes.