The product we recommend in this article:
Unshrinkit Solution for Cashmere, Wool and Wool Blend Clothing
This is a dry clean only sweater that I washed (I did not dry it). I used this same method on a shirt that I washed and dried in a drier, and was supposed to lay flat to dry. I was substantially shrunken, but this worked on it as well. This method keeps the shirt shaped the way it is supposed to be. I have seen videos where people pinned the shirt down, and the sweaters shape was not good. They had to iron the bumps out and that can damage the sweater. This avoids that, and is also for those people like me that don’t have pins laying around.
Warm Water in a Container With Unshrinkit Solution
Soak the Sweater for 30 Minutes
Roll It Up in a Towel
Before you roll it up gently squeeze the excess water and Unshrinkit Solution out. Do not wrench the sweater. Then roll it up.
Walk On It to Soak Up More
It does not have to be completely dry. Just walk on it for about two minutes.
This is what you are shooting for.
You need something similar to dowel rods. I used a piece of pvc pipe when I ran out of dowels. You also need something heavy. I used weights because they are flat and held the dowels in place. Lay towels down on the floor and then lay the shirt flat on the towels.
Slide the Dowels Up the Arms Up to the Collar
Wedge the Weights Between the Dowels
Put a Heavy Weight at the Top
This is important. Slide the weight up to the top so that it makes contact with the dowels that go through the arms up to the collar. This holds the dowels in place so that you can pull on the bottom of the sweater to stretch it out.
Place Dowels in the Side of the Sweater
The picture below will help you understand why. This will keep the sides square, and allow you to stretch the width of the shirt out. I used stainless steel bars because I ran out of dowels. I recommend dowels because you caan see thee are bumps from the bars, and it will dry like that.
Stretch the Sweater Downward
Pull (stretch) the bottom of the shirt down and as you do this use more weights to hold the sweater in place. Place the weights so they hold the side dowels and push them out to the side. Look at the picture above to see how the weight is up against the bar I slid up the side.
You Are Stretching While Placing the Weights
The way you stretch it out is how it’s going to stay once it drys so keep working with it until you have it just right. Make sure you have enough weight to hold it in place, but not to much or it won’t dry. Put a fan blowing on it. I have a ceiling fan blowing down on it. I even turned it over to dry better but I had to set everything back up. You don’t have to do this.
Finished Product
Unshrinkit Solution was made by a couple of Harvard students specifically to unshrink wool sweaters. It think it is worth looking into. This is the link. Unshrinkit Solution for Cashmere, Wool and Wool Blend Clothing It is ok to wash your wool and cashmere items, but as you and I have learned do not dry them! I do continue to wash mine, but when I do I have found this wool & cashmere shampoo. This is what I use now, and it is fantastic for replinishing your clothing keeping them soft. It preserves with natural lanolin oils, and is actually a natural bug and moth repellant. It is ideal for items labeled “dry clean” wool, cashmere, merino, mohair, blends, and more. Ideal for cleaning sweaters, scarves, hats, outerwear, down clothing, bedding, pillows, and throws.
This worked extremely well for me but may not work for you. Do this at your own risk. I am not responsible
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