How To Keep Clothes From Stretching In The Wash - Downy

Maybe your like

Skip to main content Downy

Tips & Articles ArrowDown

How to use Downy
Laundry FAQs
Protect Your Clothes
Wrinkle Prevention Tips
Downy Rinse Questions
Odor Prevention Tips
View All Tips & Articles

Our Products ArrowDown

Liquid Softeners
Conditioning Beads
Scent Beads
Dryer Sheets
Wrinkle Spray
Fabric Rinse
View All Types

Sensitive Skin
Long Lasting Scent
Fabric Protection
Odor Fighting
Softness
Static Reduction
Wrinkle Protection
View All Needs

Downy
Downy Unstopables
Downy WrinkleGuard
Downy Free & Gentle
Downy Infusions
Downy Light
Downy Rinse and Refresh
View All Brands

About Downy ArrowDown

Ingredients
Safety Process
Why Downy?
How Downy Works?
Downy History
Unstopables History
News
Contact Us

Offers

Saved ItemsSelect location ArrowDown

Please select a locationUS - EnglishCanada EnglishCanada French Downy

Tips & ArticlesOur ProductsAbout Downy Downy Offers

Offers

Saved ItemsUS -English ArrowDown

Protect Your Clothes bookmark

How To Keep Clothes From Stretching In The Wash How to help keep your clothes from stretching in the wash

Downy® Fabric Softener lubricates the fabric of your garments, making them more fluid, so garments can return to their original shape more easily after being stretched.

Check the care label

Read the care labels for washing instructions

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.

Care for your garments with fabric conditioner

Difference between fabrics with and without use of Downy Fabric Softener after 1 wash

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

Take air drying for a spin

Spin dry clothes with a new spin to remove extra water depending upon the garment size

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 fibers flat

Lay the clothes flat to avoid stretch out over time

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

Use hangers while hanging clothes in the closet

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