These instructions will help keep the shape and appearance of delicate products.
Things to remember before washing woolen clothes
- It is better to dry-clean expensive items made of wool so as not to risk it. Experts will accurately select the right way to make your clothes clean without any special risks. The same applies to products made of cashmere or knitted with a thin “cobweb”, because even when using the delicate mode in the machine or when washing by hand, the chances of spoiling the item are high.
- Read label instructions carefully before washing. Even for two seemingly identical things, they can differ. The manufacturer indicates at what temperature and in what mode to wash the product, how to dry it, whether it can be done at home or it is better to immediately dry clean it.
- Examine the item from the front and back sides. If there are puffs or holes, it is better to refuse machine washing – this can only increase damage. You can pre-repair an item of clothing, and then wash it by hand with extra care.
- Things made of angora, mohair, rabbit and other fluffy wool are best washed separately from each other and things from other materials. The pile of such products can settle on other fabrics, and it will be quite problematic to clean it.
- Never wash woolen clothes in water with a temperature higher than 30 degrees. Otherwise, they can sit down, and it will not be possible to return them to their former appearance.
- Before washing, especially machine wash, turn garments inside out. So on the front part there will be less pellets. It is also better to dry and iron woolen things turned inside out.
- Do not soak woolen clothing before washing, otherwise it may shrink or, conversely, stretch irrevocably.
- To avoid unwanted staining of the material, wash light, dark and colored items separately.
- Do not wash woolen items too often. Natural wool is quite resistant to dirt, and sometimes stains can be gently cleaned with a dry brush, and unpleasant odors can be eliminated by hanging the product on the balcony for a couple of hours.
What detergents are suitable for washing woolen clothes
Prefer liquid detergents for hand or machine washing – they rinse out better and are gentler on wool than powders. There are special liquids for washing woolen or cashmere items. As a rule, they contain lanolin or other components that gently smooth and soften the fibers.
You can also use ordinary universal washing gels – they also carefully cope with wool and work well at low temperatures.
If you are going to wash the item by hand, and there is no liquid detergent, do not rush to use the powder. Hair shampoo will come to the rescue: add a few drops to water, lather and wash the product.
After washing, apply fabric softener – so the wool will become softer and will not be electrified. Instead of the finished product, you can use glycerin: dissolve 1 tablespoon in 5 liters of water and rinse the product.
How to wash woolen clothes in a washing machine
First of all, fasten all zippers to avoid puffs. And the buttons, on the contrary, unbutton so that the buttonholes do not stretch during the washing process. Turn things inside out and load them into the drum.
Add machine wash detergent and fabric softener to the compartment. Most modern appliances have a “wool” program, which is designed to wash such things. If your machine does not have it, select the “delicate wash”, “hand wash” modes or set the parameters yourself. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the clothing label.
In any case, wool should be washed at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees. It is better to turn off the spin or select the minimum speed. Machine drying for things is completely contraindicated.
If you have not used the spin cycle, the items in the drum may be too wet after washing. Put them in an empty clean basin or other container and let the excess liquid drain.
How to hand wash woolen clothes
If there are stains on the product, pre-wash them separately, without soaking the whole thing. Remember that you should not leave woolen items in water for a long time, otherwise they may shrink or stretch. Try to finish the laundry in 45 minutes.
Close the zippers to avoid pulling, and loosen the buttons so the loops don’t stretch. Turn the product inside out.
Wool absorbs liquid very well, so take a larger container for washing. Use cold or slightly warm water with a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees. Dissolve the right amount of detergent or regular shampoo in it, you can even whip the foam.
Drop the item into the container. Do not rub or twist it during washing. It is enough to carefully rinse the product in a foamy solution and wait patiently for all the dirt to come off by itself.
After washing, rinse the wool item in clean cold water with the addition of an air conditioner or in a glycerin solution. After that, drain the liquid and leave the product in the basin for a while so that the water drains naturally. It is not worth wringing woolen things by hand, so as not to deform them.
How to dry wool clothes
Do not hang wet wool products on dryers, radiators or hangers, otherwise they will certainly lose their original shape.
Spread a terry towel on a horizontal surface such as a table or the floor. The main thing is that there are no batteries or heaters nearby. Put a woolen thing on top, spread it evenly with your hands. If after washing it is slightly deformed, you can stretch it a little in the right places – for example, pull the sleeves of a sweater if they are shorter than necessary. Leave the product in a horizontal position until completely dry.
How to iron woolen clothes
Do not rush to turn the products inside out: you also need to iron them from the inside out. A steamer is best suited for woollens – it will delicately smooth out the wrinkles without damaging the fibers. Direct the steam onto the fabric at a distance of 10-15 cm without touching it with the device. Or use a special wool attachment if your steamer comes with one.
An iron can also be used for ironing. Teflon-coated devices cope with the task most carefully, but the usual one will do. In any case, make sure that there is no damage or dirt on it, which can leave puffs and stains on knitwear. For ironing, select the special “wool” mode or set the lowest temperature. If the iron has a steam function, it is better to smooth out the wrinkles with it. Direct the steam to the right places without touching the fabric with the iron.