Wool and any clothing related to it requires special attention in order to preserve its excellent properties. In the era of washing machines, some of which can be controlled remotely via Wi-Fi, it will not be superfluous to remind the basic rules of how to wash woolen items. First of all, not everyone has such sophisticated equipment, and secondly, useful knowledge about the features of washing certain materials for some reason goes much faster than the spread of machines or the appearance of high-quality and inexpensive dry cleaners.
The first, basic rule
It is better to keep woolen things clean, and not to wash them more often. More like sarcasm, but this is really one of the main features of handling woolen things. It is better to keep them clean with the help of dry cleaning, otherwise the material will deteriorate, the thing will lose its shape, become rough and cough.
To maintain freshness, it is necessary to air out a woolen sweater or jacket more often. From a natural material such as wool, sweat easily evaporates, even some more significant pollution and unpleasant odors.
It is better to clean minor dirt or stains on clothes with a soft brush, dry and air them beforehand. Most of the dirt and stains are quite easily cleaned in this way.
The main question remains, how to wash wool products, how often to do it, which detergents to use for washing woolen items? The most optimal option will be washing once every six months or in completely catastrophic cases of pollution, when it is already clear that brushing is no longer possible.
Which is categorically not allowed when washing woolen clothes
The following situations should never be allowed:
- a sudden change in the temperature of the washing water;
- soak for a long time before washing;
- use of hot water over 40 ° C;
- blocking, strong rinsing, any actions related to rubbing against the fabric and its stretching, wringing, twisting;
- using washing powders, applying detergent directly to woolen clothes, except when it is provided by the instructions;
- dry on a hanger, clothesline and generally in a suspended state;
- accelerate drying by heating (heaters, hair dryers, etc.);
- in no case do not iron, unless the reverse is clearly indicated on the label on the clothes.
In case of non-observance of such prohibitions, a woolen item may, if not immediately, then after several times, deteriorate, lose its shape, color, it coughs, folds, loses its softness.
In order not to miss important aspects in washing your woolen item, you should pay attention to the label. On it, the manufacturer indicates exactly which cleaning formats are necessary for his products. It is quite possible that it cannot be washed at all, and only dry cleaning is allowed, or it can still be ironed.
Next, we will consider the best option for washing woolen clothes, taking into account all the listed “don’ts”.
We will make a reservation right away that the method of washing raw wool differs from washing woolen things, which you can read in detail in this article .
The best way to wash woolen clothes (hand wash)
Naturally, hand washing will be the most economical and accurate way. Only in this case, you can confidently observe all the conditions under which the wool will not lose its properties. To begin with, you should understand at what temperature to wash wool, what to use and how to dry.
Basic washing parameters:
- Water temperature – 30-35oC;
- Detergents – specially designed means for washing woolen products: gel, shampoo, other liquid agents, soap shavings;
- Pre-soaking – 5-7 minutes;
- Duration of washing – no more than 40 minutes, without locking;
- Thorough rinsing;
- Wringing is not allowed, only water draining or light squeezing without twisting;
- Drying – on a flat surface by placing a terry towel.
The procedure is simple:
- Clean the well-ventilated and dried woolen clothes with a soft brush from the main impurities and immerse them in water at 30-35oC for 5-7 minutes so that they are completely wet, including all the fibers inside.
- Water 30-35oC is poured into the bowl, detergent is added and the foam is stirred, if the powder is already used, then no lumps or undissolved elements should remain.
- The material should be checked for color fastness. A hair is plucked from one of the inner seams, dipped into a hot soapy solution and then squeezed with a paper napkin, if a mark remains on the napkin, then a couple of tablespoons of vinegar per 5 liters of water is added to the washing solution. Vinegar fixes dyes well.
- A woolen item is placed in a soapy solution and washed with light, regular pressures. Do not lift by the edges, only completely, holding from below.
- Especially dirty places are cleaned with a soft brush in a soapy solution.
- Then rinse and completely wash off the detergents. The water is changed at least 3-4 times for fresh water, and the soapy solution is washed out again with light pressure.
- To get rid of the main mass of water, you can roll the thing into a roll and lightly press it from top to bottom.
- After that, after spreading it out on a terry towel, the item is again rolled together with the lining to squeeze out the remaining water.
- After washing, woolen clothes should be dried on a flat surface with a terry towel. It is better to choose a place that is well ventilated, so that the direct rays of the sun do not fall on it, which can cause the colors to fade.
As you can see, the instructions on how to properly wash woolen clothes are quite simple, the main thing is not to forget about the little things. With this approach, wool will retain its wonderful properties for a long time, and clothes will retain warmth and indescribable feelings.
How to wash woolen clothes in a washing machine
If there is no time to follow the previous instructions and hand washing of woolen products is not suitable, then there is only a washing machine. Although this is not the best option, it is possible to provide at least the most favorable conditions.
First of all, you should not forget about the first “can’t”. Cold tap water is supplied in the machines, only in some it is pre-heated, so that the wool washing temperature is 30°C and not higher. Otherwise, it will turn out that the wool will constantly undergo a change in temperature and lose its shape.
A liquid detergent specially designed for machine washing woolen clothes is poured into the corresponding compartment. Nothing more should be added.
It is good if the machine is modern and there is a full-fledged “wool” washing mode, but if it is not there or there are doubts about its adequacy, then it is better to use the delicate mode. The main thing is to turn off the automatic spin, otherwise the thing will definitely be spoiled.
After washing, the clothes are carefully removed from the drum. Not forgetting that you should not pull the edge. It is better to catch the whole thing. Dry, as with manual washing, except that the bulk of the water can drain in the drum, for which it is enough to leave it in it for 4-5 minutes.
Next, the thing is wrapped in a terry blanket with a roll to absorb even more water and spread horizontally on a dry towel on a flat surface. A sweater completely made of natural wool can dry in about one and a half to two days, with low humidity in the room, about 30-40% can dry in a day. Just don’t rush the process with a heater, especially with hot air.
Important: Some types of wool with a long pile can easily clog the drum and filters of the machine, roll heavily on the clothes themselves during even the most delicate automatic washing. If the clothes really have a long pile or the fibers are easily removed even with a soft brush, then it is better not to experiment and decide on hand washing or trust dry cleaning.
Features of washing cashmere
Cashmere requires special care. In this case, washing woolen clothes in a washing machine is absolutely contraindicated, because then there is a great risk of washing out the dublerin, a substance with which it is impregnated to maintain its shape. You can risk washing without special consequences except cashmere with the inclusion of synthetic fibers.
Otherwise, it is better to rely on the quality of dry cleaning or to wash cashmere clothes by hand, while it is better not to use even a light spin, but to hang them after washing to drain over the bathtub, straightened on a hanger. Next, dry as described in the instructions.
Washing clothes made of camel wool
Camel wool is much stronger than others and withstands even some “can’ts” without special consequences. You can use a washing machine, but, as mentioned above, without spinning. Blankets made of camel wool can be hung to dry on clotheslines, if they are fixed exactly along one edge. You can read more about how to wash camel wool here .
If simple rules are followed, woolen things will retain their excellent properties for many years, without losing their appearance and texture. Having figured out once how to wash woolen clothes, there is no need to go to expensive dry cleaners or conduct unpleasant experiments with washing things in a machine, after which they can sit down or, on the contrary, stretch out.