If you accidentally shrank your favorite sweatpants, don’t toss them in the trash just yet. Although the pants may look like they’ll never fit you again, it is possible to stretch them out. Sweatpants can be made of a variety of materials, but the way to stretch them works the same regardless of the fabric.
Fill the sink with 1 quart of lukewarm water. Add 1 tablespoon of baby shampoo or hair conditioner to the water and mix it up.
Submerge the sweatpants in the water. Let them soak for 30 minutes to an hour. The baby shampoo or hair conditioner works to relax the fibers of the material, making it easier to stretch them back into shape.
Remove the pants from the water and gently squeeze them to remove the excess water. Lay the pants on a flat surface.
Stretch the pants carefully with your hands back to the original shape and size you want them. Place heavy objects along the edges of the pants to hold them in place. Leave them lying flat until they have air-dried completely.