Washing woollens?

Question

I don't know why I buy woollen jerseys, as I always tend to ruin them when I wash them. Any advice? If I took them to a laundrette would they do them?

Answer 1

Woolite in cold water...

Answer 2

That is because most wool really isn't washable. That being said, unless you are really trying to launder a wool men's suit, it actually can be done, CAREFULLY. First of all, your safest bet is to use an at home dry cleaning package for the dryer. Usually, they come with spot removers and you are never really "wetting" the fabric. You can get about 5 jerseys "dry" cleaned with one purchase.

However, you also can "launder" the woolen jersyeys as well if you follow the advice of the Queen of Clean, my personal hero, Linda Cobb. Here is what she suggests in her book, Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean:

Wash woolen items in a delicate cycle that agitates slowly with a delicate detergent like Woolite only in COLD water. It is usually the agitation and the spin cycle that stretches the fibers and ruins woolens.

Watch the garments carefully during the spin cycle and stop it mid cycle if the spin appears to be mis-shaping the garment. Remove immediately. Take a large terry towel, lay it flat and put the garment flat on top of the towel. Carefully and slowly roll the towel with the garment inside squeezing out the excess water. Place the garment on a clean, dry large terry towel on top of the dryer and run other load in the dryer to dry the garment on top of it. Re-Block the garment which means manipulate the garment fibers carefully to restore it's original shape. Pay attention to the arms so that you do not wind up with one arm longer than the other. Also, mind the bottom and neckline of the garment, so you block the fibers back to the original shape without causing either to be loose and stretched out. If you cannot eyeball this process, take a paper grocery bag, cut it open and trace the garment before you launder it. This will give you a pattern upon which to place the garment for the purpose of blocking once it has been laundered.

Answer 3

I have about six lambs wool pullovers that I was regularly with no problems , this is the way I do it,.... a cool wash, use a powder or liquid specially for wool, short spin, lay out on a large folded bath towel to dry keeping them in shape. It's not the washing that gives most of the problems, it's the drying. If you dry them with artificial heat the will shrink.

Answer 4

You could either try sending them to the cleaners or a laundry. I buy Woolite if Im doing the washing of my woolens and always cold water. Then after getting the access water out of the clothing i lay it on a large towel and roll the shirt in the towel. Then get another towel lay the item on it not to spoil the shape of it and it always comes out fine for me. bettyk

Answer 5

Follow the label and gently stretch and re-shape before you dry. I always used to ruin woollens but now I'm more careful and separate them (and never let my husband wash them or hang them out!).

Answer 6

Because of the type of fiber, coiled hair, wool shrinks when it becomes wet.

So you need a solvent that lacks water...

That is the function of Drycleaning.

There is a product called Drycleaners Secret, that is a safe alternative to Drycleaning and it uses a patented oiled cloth that you place in the dryer with the garment. Works much better than Dryel and its cheaper.

Answer 7

A cleaners would clean any clothes. Or wash in cold water and Woolite. Lay flat to dry.

Answer 8

For God's sake!
No washing machines!!!!
You have to clean it in a small washbowl,
only with detergent especially for woollens (i.e. Woolite).
It takes more time...but it's the only way!!!!

Answer 9

Wool should be dry cleaned or washed in cold water using Woolite or a cold water wash. (Not detergent) Lay them flat to dry or you can put them in the dryer with NO heat.

Answer 10

Wash them on delicate cycle, and use tide or whatever you use. At the rinse cycle add a softener, that will help them not only smell nice, but keep there softness. When you dry then do it on low. or hang them up to dry.

Answer 11

I would probably be over ruled by any woman with my answer. You cant go wrong if you set your clothes washer for woolens only and put a popular softner in the water.