Can TikTok's Laundry Hack Really Fix A Stretched Out T-Shirt Neckline?

When you wear a T-shirt over and over again, the neck naturally stretches out. While this isn't the worst thing that could happen, sometimes you need a crisp, firm T-shirt to go with your outfit. That's where this handy hack comes in, which consists of soaking the neckline of your T-shirt in ice water then ironing it to get it back to how you want it. This method isn't guaranteed to work, but it does seem to have some success in restoring a wrung-out T-shirt to its former glory.

Shirts stretch out over time due to wear and tear, but they can also stretch out faster if hung incorrectly. Washing an item of clothing often wears it out, causing it to look old. Some materials are more likely to change shape over time, too. A thinner, softer cotton T-shirt will typically get wider at the neck faster than one made from stiff cotton. Instead of buying a new shirt, try this hack first to see if you can get your clothes looking brand new again.

First, fill a bowl with ice water. Taking your T-shirt, fold the neck area in sections inward in a zig-zag motion, and then put the scrunched neck of your shirt into the water. Hold it in position for at least three or four minutes. The aim is for the neckline to be fully soaked from the ice water. When time is up, remove the T-shirt and squeeze out the excess water. It's important to make sure you're holding the neck area scrunched together while doing this. Next, lie the shirt flat and iron out the neckline. Press down firmly but make sure not to let the heat from the iron dry the shirt completely. The T-shirt should be left to dry by itself. 

This hack might work due to the ice water contracting the neckline and then the iron setting the new shape in place. However, you could also try simply folding and then just ironing the shirt, skipping the water entirely. Cold water doesn't shrink clothes the same way hot water does, so the effects of the hack are unlikely to last long. Another thing to keep in mind is that this hack may not work if your T-shirt has a neckline made from thicker material. Alternatively, if you don't have an iron, you could try swapping it out for a steamer. However, as it's likely the motion and the heat of the iron that resets the neckline, a steamer probably won't be as effective.