please help how to clean a hand knitted baby cardigan
are they safe to machine wash? if not wat the best way
2007-12-18 06:57:38 · 3 answers · asked by wifeofrachid 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
You can machine wash handknits only if they're made of acrylic, cotton (may shrink), or something called "superwash" wool (which has been specially treated). If you're not entirely sure what the baby sweater is made of, don't machine wash it!
Despite the name, Woolite is great for lingerie but terrible for handknits. Buy woolwash (brands include Eucalan and Kookaburra -- I prefer Eucalan because it doesn't need to be rinsed) or use a tiny amount of gentle shampoo.
Fill a clean sink with tepid water & woolwash or shampoo. Put in the baby sweater & let it soak for ten or fifteen minutes. Then *gently* squeeze the suds through. Never agitate, swish, or wring. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and *gently* press some of the water out.
Roll the sweater in layers of clean, dry towels. Press down on the roll to get out more of the water. Then put the sweater on a screen or a clean, dry towel and push it into shape. Let dry.
(I know this is a lot of work, especially for a new parent! Which is why I always use machine wash & dry yarn for baby projects and include a note with washing instructions.)
2007-12-18 08:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by editorgrrl 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, first you have to be sure it's washable at all. Then the other ideas of woolwash, etc are good. In addition, get either a pillowcase or a lingerie bag. Turn whatever your washing inside out, button or otherwise close it up, and wash it in the bag. If the bag/pillow case doesn't have a zipper, used a rubber band. Ivory Snow, or Dreft is good for something that's not really dirty. Ivory liquid dish soap -- not too much -- is good for spots and overall cleaning.
This may sound weird, but if you're having a big party and you want to make salad for a crowd, put the lettuce in a pillowcase and zip or rubber band it. Put it through the rinse cycle only -- no soap, of course. It will not only be really washed, but it'll be spun dry and not turn brown.
2007-12-18 09:26:00 · answer #2 · answered by Debdeb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're probably safe to wash on the delicate/ hand wash cycle as long as they're not made of pure wool..
You'd certainly be able to hand wash them though.
2007-12-18 07:05:55 · answer #3 · answered by Boadicea forever 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋