How do you clean an afghan made of acrylic yarn?

Question

Smoke is the main stain.I'd like to clean in my tub and hang dry.

It was run thru the machines once before along time ago without my immediate knowledge.It came to me about 30% smaller than original.I'd like to get it back to original size.Any tips?

Answer 1

You can hand wash in your tub BUT lay it flat to dry or it will stretch out of shape. You CAN wash it in the washer on a gentle cycle if you have a washer with a GENTLE cycle. I have learned this through experience at home, my Grandmother and my daughter crochet. Also, I worked as an operations manager for a dry cleaners for 3 years.

Answer 2

It is perfectly fine to wash it in the washing machine. Use a gentle cycle and barely warm water and mild detergent. Then put into the dryer until completely dry. Just use a low heat cycle on the dryer. It's best to dry it this way as it shrinks the yarn back into shape after the wash. We have washed ours this way for years with really great results. Don't forget the fabric softener. Wouldn't recommend hanging it on a clothesline as that will stretch it out of shape.

Answer 3

Acrylic is essentially plastic. It should not shrink. Once it has shrunk it should not get smaller. If you stretch it to get the size closer to original it's going to have a thin knobby feel to it because the fibers of the yarn have still gone closer together you can not loosen that. When you do wash it try Woolite which is gentle and may help loosen the "weave" and return some of the size. Good luck

Answer 4

I wash my afghan all the time. I put it in the washing machine on gentile cycle with mild detergent, warm or cold water. Take out immediately when done. Do Not hang, it will stretch and look out of shape. Put it in the dryer on air-dry or delicate cycle. Take out of dryer right at the end of cycle and fold.

Answer 5

I have been trying to crochet alot recently with this type of yarn :)

and reading the yarn's care paper, it says to wash in warm, on the gentle cycle. And tumble dry on low heat. Do not over dry.

Answer 6

Acrylic yarn does not shrink. Cotton shrinks http://www.crochetme.com/Aug_Sept_2005/feat_cotton.html and wool felts http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATfelting.html

To remove smoke odors, try http://www.febreze.com

To get your blanket closer to its original size, try blocking http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html (But keep in mind that blocking can only do so much!)

Answer 7

I am afghan and we just take it to the backyard, hang it on a clothline and hit it with our hands. ;)
Good Luck.

Answer 8

ru serious?