Garment has shrunk in the wash? Don’t worry, there’s a sure-fire way to recover it, no matter what material it is.

Who hasn’t found a shrunken T-shirt or jumper just out of the washing machine? Fortunately, there’s a method for recovering your favourite garment… And it works for lots of fabrics.

Has your favourite woollen or cashmere jumper, or the T-shirt you shouldn’t put in the washing machine, accidentally slipped into the washing basket and then been put in the machine by mistake? It can happen to all of us. If you want to know how to recover a garment that has shrunk, you’ve come to the right place. Don’t throw it away! With these solutions, you can keep all your favourite clothes that have shrunk, even the most delicate ones.

Cotton garments can shrink after being put in the washing machine, although this is rare. This can happen when the programme is too hot, for example. To recover, soak your garment for at least 30 minutes in a basin of warm water with two or three tablespoons of baby shampoo. Leave to dry naturally. Don’t hesitate to stretch it a little to restore its shape.

For a woollen garment, mix lukewarm water with around 10 tablespoons of glycerine in a bowl. Leave your jumper in the mixture for 2 hours. Rinse the jumper and wring it out without wringing it so as not to break the stitches. You can use a towel, for example, to soak up as much water as possible. Stretch your woollen jumper to restore its original shape, and lay it flat to dry on your rack (with a towel underneath). Good to know: you can replace the glycerine with shampoo.

For cashmere, the technique is a little different to that for wool. Add two or three tablespoons of conditioner to a basin of warm water. Leave to soak for several hours, then rinse. Squeeze out the fibres without wringing, ideally in a towel. Dry flat with a towel underneath. Tip: remember to stretch it gently at the bottom and along the sleeves, and stuff the jumper with a towel while it dries so that it retains its shape.

For garments made from synthetic fibres or viscose, the best solution is to rewash the garment (at 30 degrees) and stretch it to restore its shape. Alternatively, soak the garment in a basin of water with a little baby shampoo, then stretch it out to dry. Viscose does not tolerate heat. o be on the safe side, don’t hesitate to go to the dry cleaners.