How do you wash/dry sweaters without them shrinking?

Question

I've had this issue for long enough. I constantly have to buy new sweaters because after I wash them they shrink, and no longer fit. How can I prevent this from happening?

I can't afford dry cleaning (just for your knowledge).

It's in the middle of winter, so wouldn't they take forever to dry indoors?

Answer 1

Wash them by hand in temp-id water.using a soap such as "Woolight"...flatten them out gently on a towel and then let them air dry...NEVER put a sweater you cherish in a washing machine.!

Answer 2

I never take my sweaters to the dry cleaners- the chemicals they use can strip the fiber of its natural oils, which can make the sweater not as soft. First, measure how long and how wide your sweater is- this will come in handy when you're done washing. Fill up a sink or bucket with luke-warm water (which doesn't feel warm or cold when you put your hand in it). Sudden changes in temperature cause the fibers to seize up, doesn't matter if it's hot or cold. Dump a cap full of Woolite or other cleaner for hand-washing in the water. Put your sweater in the water and gently swish it around to let it get wet and soapy. Let it sit there for a few minutes then swish it around again. Drain the water and fill it again with clean water the same temp and gently rinse the soap out- I sometimes do two or three rinses, changing water each time, until all the soap is out. Take the sweater out and remove excess water by starting at the top and gently squeezing the water out of one section then moving your hand down- don't wring or pull, just individual squeezes. Lay the sweater out on a dry towel and roll it up to get additional water out. Put the sweater on another dry towel and measure it- if it has seized up you can very gently stretch it back into shape- be careful and go slowly because the fibers are delicate when wet. Let the sweater dry on the towel and you should be good to go! I find hand-washing a very satisfying chore, as it requires you to go slowly and deliberately- very zen!

Answer 3

Wash on gentle cycle with woolite and cold water. Then lie flat to dry. It wont take that long if you do it in the house as the temp in there is usually 65-70 degrees. I would go and buy a folding clothes drying rack and use that.

Answer 4

Hand wash with a mild detergent in cold water then lay flat to dry. If that isn't working go to the store and buy the at home dry cleaning kit called Dryell. It is safe and effective and can be reused.

Answer 5

throwing them in the dryer is what causes them to shrink. What I do in the winter with my sweaters, is to put them in the dryer on NO HEAT! and let them tumble a while. Then I lay them out on a towel and this helps absorb additional moisture. Then when they are not too heavy (wet sweaters tend to be really heavy) I hang them up on a hanger to finish drying.

Answer 6

Your dryer shoudl haev a setting that is to JUST blow air, it still takes a while but is much quicker than in the house. But yes, you only have 2 solutions. 1-wash in codl water adn either air dry or set dryer to air only. 2-buy your sweaters teh next size up so they fit after they shrink.

Answer 7

Wash in the washing machine...lay flat to dry. Don't hang them because it will make them mis-shapen. As long as they are inside the house where it's warm, they shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to dry.

Answer 8

Wash in cold water, do not put in dryer. Lay out on clean towel, pull it into shape and let it air dry. Heat is what you have to avoid.

Answer 9

Hand washing and dring slowly on a drying rack or dry cleaning. There is no fast way

Answer 10

I usually will wash them in a delicate mode, and use cold water, and let them hang dry and not put it in the dryer.