Does wetting your jeans make them bigger?
Wet Stretch Your Jeans
I've said this method numerous times before and I can guarantee it's the one method that truly works in amazing ways! You can get up to a full size bigger with wet stretching on a 100% cotton pair of jeans – that's how good it is!
Side Seams
This is one of the simplest techniques of how to make the pants waist bigger. Insert a V of extra fabric at the side seams of your pants. This is easy to sew, takes less time to complete, and doesn't expose stitching to outside people.
Basically, you loop the belt loop closest to the big button on your jeans around said button, which cinches the waist of your pants. Then, you button and zip your jeans up like normal, and boom! You've officially got better-fitting jeans.
Put on the jeans that are too snug, fill a bath with warm water, and sit in it. The warm (not hot!) water will help loosen and stretch the threading a bit. You obviously need to do this one in advance, and allow the jeans to hang dry when you're done.
Using Hot Steam to Stretch Jeans
Heat makes denim more elastic and easier to stretch.
"All you have to do is wet the waistband with lukewarm water (make sure it's damp), insert the stretcher, and turn the handle to expand. I like to leave it inserted overnight, or if you need more than an inch, you could check back in and give it a few more turns every few hours."
Fully wet your jeans in lukewarm water either in bathtub or a basin. Put them on (while wet, I know!), and do some movements that'll stretch them out like lunges, squats, bending over, walking, sitting, etc. You can also do the movements without wetting the jeans, but the water helps loosen and soften the threads.
First, fill your laundry sink or a large container with at least 1 quart of lukewarm water. Most knitted clothes like cotton, wool, and cashmere will respond to this treatment better than fabrics with tighter weaves like silk, polyester or rayon. You should take note not to use hot or cold water.
Cold water is fine for most clothes and other items that you can safely put in the washing machine. It can remove many stains from clothing, including grass on your kid's jeans or makeup smudges on a sweater. Delicate fabrics (lace and silk) and dark, colorful fabrics actually do best in cold water.
Consider Boiling
"Boiling your jeans for 20 to 30 minutes and then drying them in a hot dryer will usually shrink them more quickly than the washer method—and shrink them slightly more effectively," says Abrams.
Can cold water stretch clothes?
Cold water won't help you stretch out clothing. On the other hand, hot water shrinks and damages clothing, so avoid using it here. Note that knitted clothes, including cotton, wool, and cashmere garments, respond to this tactic better than other types of fabric.
Hot water can cause bright colors to run and fade, and can shrink certain types of fabric. Hot water can also damage certain synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and vinyl. The heat breaks down the fibers and can ruin the fabric.
Fill your sink or a bucket with lukewarm water. Wash the jeans for a few minutes and gently remove any spots without excessive rubbing. Then let them soak for 30-60 minutes. Drain the water and rinse the jeans thoroughly.
The hotter the water, the more the dye will come off—using a little detergent will also help. I don't know if you typically dry your denim in a hot dryer, but if you don't have to worry about shrinkage, then the heat from the dryer can also help set the dye somewhat.
"The idea that you should wear your jeans in a bathtub is a terrible idea. It's not only uncomfortable, but it stretches out the jeans in unnatural ways. It creates knee-bagging and pulls at the hips, giving you hip-flare."
Repeat Washing
To avoid your jeans getting stiff after drying, try soaking them in a mixture of water and fabric softener overnight, then rinse the following day.
Jeans should be comfortably tight at first. If the jeans your trying on are really uncomfortably tight then they will probably only stretch a few inches. The best way to see if the jeans are going to be good for you is to do the sitting test. Sit down as you would in a car, and see how it feels.
After showering, Schoknecht suggested wearing the wet jeans for 30 minutes to stretch them out. If the pair of jeans are too tight around the waist, you can wrap a towel around the waistband and tuck it into the jeans for some extra room.
To stretch your clothes, start by soaking them for 10 minutes in a basin filled with warm water and 1/3 cup of baby shampoo or hair conditioner. Next, squeeze the clothes to remove most of the water, then roll them in a towel to absorb even more moisture.
Washing clothes in hot water (or drying them using hot air) shrinks the fabric. Although fibers of polymer are naturally short, they are stretched out when made into clothes. Applying heat releases that tension, making the fibers return to their natural state. Hence the miniaturized shirts and shorts.
Does hot or cold water make clothes bigger?
Washing cotton in hot water
While cotton fabrics tend to have a maximum shrinkage capacity, heat can cause your cotton items to permanently shrink. Avoid this by using cold water when washing cotton, or alternating between warm and cold washes.
“Tight-fitting clothes have the capacity, when 'too tight,' to put additional stress on the stomach and intestines,” Rauch says. This can worsen symptoms, like acid reflux and heartburn.
Yes, a tailor can make pants bigger using many different methods. You can also enlarge your pants using the same methods as a tailor. Many other techniques may help you enlarge your pants without sewing.
Wet Your Jeans, Then Stretch Them
Once they're wet all over, strategically pull on the fabric in those areas you're hoping to stretch. Afterward, and for good measure, put on the damp jeans and wear them until they dry.
Keep in mind that your jeans might shrink slightly overall if the entire jean is exposed to hot water. Because you will soak and dry your jeans while wearing them, however, they will not shrink smaller than the size of your body. Rather, they will have a perfectly form-fitted appearance after they dry.