Question for wool aficianados

[madeleone]

Went we took our trip to Ireland last year we bought wool sweaters. Not wanting to ruin them I am trying to find the best way to wash them. (Can you tell I've never had 100% wool anything before?)

Info online is somewhat contradictory some says wash in hot water, some says wash in luke-warm water, all say do not throw in the dryer. I always thought Woolite was the best thing for wool but apparently according to more than one site, not so, says its alkaline and not good. But I know there are a few people here on my flist who actually work with wool. So if anyone has any advice or knows someone who is on your flist who might know please let me know. Any help appreciated. TIA.

Comments

[bunney.livejournal.com]

Here are the instructions from the website where I bought my HP cardigan:

Washing Instructions

How to care for your 100% Lambswool
Washing Instructions
Lambswool knitwear can be hand washed or dry-cleaned. We recommend hand washing frequently following these simple guidelines:

1. Soak garment in lukewarm water using a mild detergent.
2. Squeeze suds gently through fabric - do not rub, wring or stretch the garment.
3. Rinse thoroughly but carefully in clean lukewarm water.
4. A short, light spin in a washing machine will remove most of the water.
5. Smooth garment back into original shape and place flat on a towel - dry naturally away from direct heat such as radiators or sunlight. Do not tumble dry.
6. When dry press lightly with a cool iron.

I haven't tried washing mine yet (and probably never will because I don't foresee getting it dirty!), but this seems like a logical way to wash something delicate like lambswool.

[madeleone]

Thanks Bunney, Those are about the same directions as I found on one website. But since there were conflicting directions on different sites I wanted to be sure before I did anything drastic. One site recommended hot water and one luke warm. Everyone did agree do not use a dryer but dry flat.

[bunney.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I can't imagine using hot water on wool, to be honest. Lukewarm is best!

[m-mcgonagall-65.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I always just follow the laundering instructions, so I guess I'm not really a lot of help. Most wool things have to lay flat to dry, though. Most of my wool stuff I just wash in cold water with regular detergent on the gentle cycle... I think.

[madeleone]

Well Hubby's sweater (He's the one who wants his washed) just had a tag with symbols and such, like 40 (I assume 40C for the water) a black triangle with and X through it (not sure what that means) what looks like a dryer with an X through it. An iron (no X there) and a circle or oval with an X through it (not sure what that indicates either.) It's all greek to me. LOL. Mine has directions similar to what Bunney posted.

[m-mcgonagall-65.livejournal.com]

Aha! Now that I know. You're right--the 40 is 40 degrees Celsius (lukewarm). The black triangle with X means "do not bleach." The dryer with an X is "do not dry"; the circle with the X is "do not dryclean".

[madeleone]

Ahhhh... you read ancient laundry runes, that's very helpful, thanks so much! (I had no idea, I hope I don't sound like a total dolt!)LOL!

[owlbait.livejournal.com]

You can wash in any temperature, but it is important not to shock the wool by changing temperature suddenly from hot to cold. Also do not agitate or wring, and keep the wool supported when you take it out of the water.

I wash warm and rinse warm. For most handknits I use the handwash cycle in the machine and spin dry, but not really delicate stuff, cashmere and knitted lace. That I do by actual hand.

I hadn't heard about problems with woolite, but you can always throw some vinegar into the first rinse to correct it.

[madeleone]

It sounds like the main thing is not to throw in the dryer, dry flat and shape it. And don't twist to wring it out, that was stressed too.

Several sites mentioned to not use soaps, etc as they are alkaline (they say Woolite falls in this category) and you should use a detergent: a little dish liquid or even shampoo. See so many different directions just confused me. And if I ruin his sweater my hubs will not be a happy camper. LOL!

I am NOT an expert, but

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

You can wash it in hot water as long as you rinse it in the same temperature hot water, too. Better not to risk the temperature differentials, though. I use cool to cold water. If you really want to not ruin them, hand wash them, scrunching them gently to remove the water afterwards and never, ever, ever twisting them. Lay flat on a towel till dry.

As for woolite... no idea. It's what I always used until I became ultra-sensitive to fragrances.

Re: I am NOT an expert, but

[madeleone]

See I've always figured Woolite was designed to be gentle and what you should use for wool but several sites say no. Quote from one site says: The alkaline in Woolite will strip a sweater's wool fibers, so avoid using it.

What you mentioned about having the same temp for wash and rinse makes sense. One site insisted the hotter the better (within reason as you are hand washing) claiming that the hot water removes body oils and such. I still think I would be scared to use hot water.

[willowfaerie2.livejournal.com]

I always dry clean wool. I've tried using the hand washing instructions, washing with cold water and Woolite, and I ended up with a sweater too small for me. grrrr.
Never again! If I love it, I dry clean it.

[madeleone]

See, that's what I'm scared of. I don't want to ruin them. And mine says DO NOT DRY CLEAN.

[willowfaerie2.livejournal.com]

Eeek! I'm not much help am I? Sorry about that.

[madeleone]

Aww... I really appreciate your input anyway, hon. I think I'll be able to muddle through with all the good advice and a couple of helpful websites. ;)

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Everything that's already been said. You can easily correct the alkaline quality of soap/woolite with either a splash of vinegar or a couple of teaspoons of citric acid. Also don't soak for ages. 10-15 mins max will do, then rinse. And always keep similar temperatures. You can actually boil wool, should you ever need to do, but you must start with cool water (roughly same temp as the ambient air) and heat slowly, and then cool as slowly, and your garment will be fine. It's the shock of different temperatures that will spoil the wool. And agitation will felt it, so you want to avoid washing it in the regular cycle of a washing machine.

I tend to hand-wash mine and then just put in the machine for a short spin, and of course always pull into shape, roll in towel to remove excess water, then dry flat.

[madeleone]

Thanks! I think I'll stick with the warm water, I can't imagine boiling it. See I knew if I asked here I'd get some good advice.

Hope you are resting up from your mammoth road trip. :)

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

Follow the washing instructions as explained to you by someone else! Do not use hot water, and agitate as little as possible.

I've never heard anything about shocking wool before with changes in temperature, but I do know that if you deliberately want to felt something you use hot water, soap of any sort, and lots of rubbing. So .. I'd do the opposite of that. Never had problems with woollite either.

[melusin-79.livejournal.com]

yes, i agree with Shiv. If it's the aran type wool you've got in those jumpers, I wouldn't use hot water as it's likely to shrink and felt. My mum used to knit aran jumpers and she used to wash them in warm water with pure soap flakes and dry them flat on towels.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Never, ever use hot water!

I tend to disregard washing instructions, because a lot of them say "dry clean only" when it is totally unnecessary. I wash my woolies (yes, even cashmere!) in the washer with cold water, handwash cycle, and woolite. Then I air-dry. They come out beautifully even without all that coddling.

Yes, I'm a rebel! LOL!