There are woolen items in every home. For some it’s their favorite sweater, for others it’s a cozy blanket. In any case, sooner or later every housewife is faced with the question “How to wash wool so that it doesn’t shrink?” Of course, you can take the item to dry cleaning: professionals will approach this issue with knowledge. But this is not always available for one reason or another, so you really need to know a few important rules for caring for woolen items, the observance of which will ensure a long life for your favorite clothes.
General rules
Wool does not like frequent washing: once every six months is enough. In order not to subject the item to frequent water procedures, it is worth ventilating it well from time to time.
If the fabric is prone to shedding, then to fix the color you need to add a little vinegar. The acidic environment does not allow the paint to wash out.
It is very important to choose the right temperature when cleaning woolen items. This fabric does not like sudden changes, so both too cold and very hot water are catastrophic for it. The optimal temperature is 30°C.
Soaking has an extremely negative effect on wool; it is better not to resort to it. The less the item is in the water, the better, so the entire wash should take no more than 45 minutes.
Preparing for washing
- First of all, you need to get acquainted with the information on the tag. A conscientious manufacturer always indicates the washing method and temperature, as well as procedures that are contraindicated for this type of fabric.
- Be sure to check your pockets and remove anything foreign from them.This is especially important when washing woolen clothes.
- If there are strong stains of dirt on the clothes, then they need to be removed with a dry brush and only then start washing.
- Before washing, the product must be turned inside out. This will protect the fabric from pilling and preserve decorative elements, if any.
- If the clothes have buttons, the holes for them need to be sewn up with several stitches. This way they won't stretch.
- If the product has a pile, then after washing, pellets may appear on it, and such an item will be difficult to wear with pleasure. To avoid having to part with your favorite scarf, for example, you need to comb the pile against the grain.
Choosing a remedy
When washing wool products, you should give preference to specialized products. They are more expensive, but they are more gentle on the fabric and will help maintain quality. In addition, they most often include an air conditioner that softens the water, which is also a big plus.
When using regular washing powder, it must be diluted in water and used as a solution. The liquid product is more convenient and economical in this regard. In addition, flowing powders do not contain phosphates, which negatively affect the environment, and do not cause allergies, which means they can be used for washing children's clothes.
When washing Angora wool, you can use regular shampoo. However, in this case, rinsing should be especially thorough.
Relatively recently, soap nuts have begun to gain popularity. This is a natural, environmentally friendly product in the form of shells. They can also be used to care for woolen items.True, it is more convenient to wash them by hand; they are not economical for use in a machine.
Washing in a washing machine
Having prepared the item, you can finally proceed directly to washing.
Many modern washing machines have a “Wool” mode. But if it is not provided, then “Delicate Wash” or “Hand Wash” are also perfect. All these modes provide for a very careful treatment of the fabric. This effect is achieved by several components:
- A large amount of water is used for washing, which reduces the mechanical impact of the tank.
- Heating temperature does not exceed 40°C
- The drum movements occur more smoothly and slowly.
- The spin function is either turned off completely or performed at the lowest speed.
For even more gentle washing, it is recommended to use a special bag. It is needed so that the item does not lose its shape, and it also extends the life of the machine.
Hand wash
If you are still afraid to entrust your favorite thing to a machine, then washing by hand is the way out. With this method, the item cannot be rubbed intensively. The fabric is carefully sorted with your hands, pressed a little and sorted again. Unlike using a washing machine, when washing by hand, rich suds are your best friend. It helps to clean the product efficiently and accurately.
Rinse
This is a very important procedure for caring for wool products. If rinsing occurs in a machine, then any suitable conditioner must be added to a special tank. It will soften the water, protect the item from wrinkles, and also give the item a light, pleasant smell.
To rinse with your hands, you can also use wool conditioner, or you can remember your grandmother’s trick and dilute glycerin in a basin at the rate of half a tablespoon per 5 liters of water. Rinsing in such a solution protects things no worse than store-bought detergent.
Drying
In order to dry the product correctly, it is also important to know a number of rules. Items made of wool should not be squeezed or twisted; this will disrupt the structure of the thread and the clothing will quickly lose its presentable appearance. After washing, you need to lightly squeeze out the water, and then wrap the product in a terry towel and press it with your hands so that excess water is absorbed into the towel. After this procedure, the item is laid out on a horizontal surface, carefully straightening out all the folds. To dry the fabric faster, you can use sheets of paper. They are placed under clothes and changed when they get wet. Under no circumstances should wool items be hung to dry on hangers - stretched fabric cannot be avoided with this method.
Special attention must be paid to temperature. The temperature contrast is unpleasant for wool not only during washing. Therefore, there is no need to dry the item on a radiator or use a dryer. It is better to be patient and wait until it dries completely at room temperature.
Ironing
Typically, wool items are not prone to wrinkles, so they do not need to be ironed. But if such a need arises, then you need to iron the fabric from the wrong side only after it has completely dried. When ironing, be sure to use a damp cloth and check the information label again. If the iron does not have a “wool” setting, the temperature of the iron should be low.
By the way, ironing can help if the item, despite following all the rules, still shrinks. To do this, the wool needs to be slightly wetted and ironed through a damp cloth, stretching the fibers to the desired size. Using this method, be sure to dry the item with an iron until there is no moisture, otherwise all your efforts will go down the drain.
Clothes made from wool never go out of fashion and serve their owners for a long time. Yes, woolen items require special care, but for those who know and follow the simple rules, this matter does not seem so difficult.
