Few laundry mistakes are more frustrating than discovering that a favorite piece of clothing has come out of the dryer noticeably smaller.

A shirt that once fit perfectly may suddenly feel restrictive, while a beloved sweater can lose the relaxed shape that made it a wardrobe staple. The situation can be particularly disappointing when the garment has sentimental value or carries a significant price tag.

But before giving up on a shrunken item, it may be worth determining whether the fabric can be restored.

According to professional laundry experts, some garments can be gently returned closer to their original dimensions. The results depend heavily on the material, how much it has shrunk and how the fabric was treated.

The most important thing is to avoid making the situation worse.

1. Stop before trying an at home fix

The first instinct after discovering a shrunken garment may be to pull it aggressively in every direction. That can potentially distort the fabric rather than restore its original shape.

For valuable, delicate or specialty pieces, professional cleaning may be the safest choice. Experts can examine the fabric and determine whether there is enough flexibility to attempt restoration.

This is especially important for garments labeled dry clean only or pieces made from delicate materials. A rushed home experiment could create additional stretching, misshaping or texture changes.

2. Check the fabric first

Material is one of the biggest factors in determining whether a garment can be restored.

Cotton, for example, may respond reasonably well when the amount of shrinkage is relatively small. Silk can also sometimes be treated successfully with the right professional approach.

Other animal based fibers can be considerably more challenging. Wool is particularly difficult because of the structure of its fibers. Excessive heat, moisture and agitation can cause the fibers to tighten and become permanently compacted.

Before attempting anything, check the garment’s care label and determine exactly what type of fabric you’re working with.

3. Look at how much the garment changed

A small amount of shrinkage is generally more manageable than a dramatic change in size.

If a cotton shirt has become slightly shorter or narrower, carefully controlled steaming and stretching may help bring it closer to its previous dimensions.

A garment that has shrunk substantially may be much harder to restore. There is a point at which the fabric’s structure has changed too significantly for stretching to make a meaningful difference.

4. Use steam carefully

Steam can help relax certain fabrics and make them more flexible.

A professional approach involves introducing plenty of steam before carefully stretching the garment back toward its original measurements. The piece can be placed on a flat surface and gently shaped while it is still receptive to the treatment.

Another approach is to use a hanger and carefully stretch the fabric with your hands.

The emphasis should be on gentle manipulation. Pulling too hard can produce an uneven silhouette or distort the garment’s proportions.

5. Reshape instead of simply stretching

Getting a garment longer or wider is only part of the process. It also needs to regain its original silhouette.

Professional cleaners may use fabric-conditioning products, steam and a technique called blocking to accomplish this. Blocking involves shaping the garment while it is damp or otherwise receptive, then holding it in the desired dimensions as it dries.

For knitwear, a sweater board can help establish the correct proportions. Pins may be used to maintain the garment’s shape during the process.

This approach is particularly useful when a sweater has become misshapen rather than simply smaller.

6. Be especially cautious with wool

Wool deserves extra attention because it can be among the hardest fabrics to restore after significant shrinkage.

Once wool fibers have become heavily compacted, returning the garment completely to its former size may not be possible. Professional treatment can sometimes improve its appearance and dimensions, but expectations should remain realistic.

For expensive wool pieces, professional cleaning and reshaping are generally preferable to experimenting with household methods.

7. Know when to stop

Sometimes a garment simply cannot be restored.

If gentle treatment produces little or no improvement, continuing to stretch the fabric may create additional problems. A piece can become misshapen even when its overall dimensions do not return to normal.

That is why assessing the material and degree of shrinkage before beginning is so important.

A professional cleaner can help determine whether the garment has a realistic chance of recovery or whether it is better to stop before causing further changes.

How to prevent clothes from shrinking

The easiest way to deal with shrunken clothing is to avoid unnecessary shrinkage in the first place.

Always check the care label before washing or drying a garment. Items marked for delicate care, air drying or professional cleaning should be handled accordingly.

When in doubt, cooler water and lower heat drying can be safer for many fabrics than high temperatures. Delicate pieces may also benefit from air drying when their care instructions allow it.

And if a favorite garment accidentally emerges from the dryer looking considerably smaller, don’t panic. Depending on the fabric and the extent of the change, careful steaming, stretching and reshaping may give it another chance.

Just remember that not every garment can be brought back to its original dimensions, and expensive or delicate pieces are often best placed in the hands of a professional.