Wool sweaters and sweaters often turn into a "nightmare" when it comes to washing them! The fear of not "getting into the water" is only one side of the coin of this process, as the result can be even more unpredictable: the sweater simply cannot be worn anymore!
If you haven't broken out your wool sweaters yet, you still have a chance to wash and maintain them the way experts say. Wool is not like any other fabric as it requires gentler treatment that can also be done on the back. There is no need to spend all your money on dry cleaning to fix all the problems you have with the wool material.
So what's the best way to properly wash sweaters and knitwear?
Hand washing vs. washing machine
For sure, your mother has warned you several times about woolen knitwear, especially if you do the drying process in the washing machine. Technically, you can wash these sweaters and sweaters in the washing machine, but it takes a lot of care. Be sure to use cold water and a gentle drying cycle to avoid causing the fibers to shrink.
Catherine Morrissey, president of a clothing company recommends hand washing. The best way to do this is to fill a tub with cold water and add one to two capfuls of a wool detergent. Next, soak the sweater in water for a minute. Be careful not to leave it there for too long, as the wool should not absorb too much water. Take it out of there and squeeze very lightly.
Full washes are not always necessary
The best thing about this type of material is that it doesn't need to be washed after every wear like other clothes. If you don't have unpleasant odors or stains, you can wear them up to five times and then wash them.
Tips for removing stains
Simply dilute the detergent with a little cold water, apply to the stain, and rinse until the medicine is gone. Finally, dry with a clean cloth.
Water temperature
Hot water to wash sweaters is the main "sin" of maintenance and care for this material. Washing in cold or lukewarm water helps prevent shrinkage, so it's always a safe bet.
Drying methods
How you dry your clothes is just as important as how you wash them. For wool and other thick materials, you should not squeeze them hard to remove excess moisture, because this will distort the shape of the sweater or sweater. Last but certainly not least, experts say you shouldn't hang wool clothing to dry because it just opens up more.
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Source: Instyle
