How to Keep Your Clothes from Stretching in the Wash

Check the Care Label

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 defence to making sure your garments don’t shrink or stretch during washing and drying.

Try a New Spin on Spin Dry

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 Those Fibres Flat

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.

Get the Hang of It

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.

Fold for a Better Fit

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

Button It Up

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.

Trust Garment Care to a Fabric Conditioner

Garments undergo stretching from agitation, spinning and tumbling in the washing and drying process. Lenor Fabric Conditioner lubricates the fabric of your garments, making them more fluid, so garments can return to their original shape more easily after being stretched.