The end of winter is approaching, the sunny days are arriving little by little, so it’s almost time to put your wool sweaters in the closet. To avoid unpleasant surprises when you take out your stitches in a few months, it is better to keep them clean, away from light and humidity. For this, it is time to wash them thoroughly, but to avoid any disasters it is essential to take some precautions. Indeed, knitted sweaters can easily become deformed, pilled, felted, shrink… To our greatest delight, the French brand of eco-friendly laundry detergent, The Little Cansreveals his advice for cleaning your precious ones without damaging them.
Cleaning program, spinning… How to wash a wool sweater in the washing machine without damaging it?
At what temperature should you wash a sweater in the washing machine without it shrinking?
When washing wool sweaters, you have the choice between cleaning by hand or in the washing machine. In both cases, there are some precautions to take to avoid damaging your mesh. When washing in a washing machine, it is very important to use a hand cycle for all wool garments. The programs can be named differently depending on your “special wool” or “delicate clothes” washing machine. Ideally, prefer a program at 20°C, otherwise 30°C will also do the trick.
Cashmere sweater: can you wash it in the washing machine?
Good news, it is possible to wash a cashmere sweater in the washing machine! “Slip your cashmere sweater into a cover (a pillowcase closed with elastic, without buttons or zip will do the trick, or better, a washing bag), to prevent it from getting damaged or deformed when washing. washing”details the brand Eric Bompard on its website.
Spinning wool: how many revolutions per minute?
It is better to avoid excessively high spin speeds, which risk damaging your clothing. “To be sure to find your garment in good condition, program a gentle spin, at 400 revolutions per minute,” we can read on the site The Little Cans.
What softener and detergent to use for wool sweaters?
To wash wool clothes, it is preferable to use a detergent suitable for this material such as that from MIR, the Wool Reviver (priced at 6.78 euros/liter), it will be ideal for washing your wool sweater. Be careful not to be too heavy-handed with the quantity of detergent as this can damage your knitwear. The brand, Les Petits Bidons, recommends 33 ml of detergent for machines weighing 4 to 5 kg, while for washing machines weighing 8 to 9 kg you will need 40 ml of product. Concerning the softener, you can add a few drops but this step remains optional.
Wool, mohair, angora, merino, alpaca: how should you wash a wool sweater by hand?
If you opt for hand washing, simply fill a basin with lukewarm or even cold water, add your detergent and immerse your wool sweater in it for 20 minutes. Then, empty your basin of the “dirty” water and fill it again, this time with cold water. Dip your wool garment in it to rinse it properly. Moreover, the most fragile wools such as angora, alpaca, merino or even mohair must absolutely be washed in this way.
Wool sweater in the dryer, good or bad idea?
It is strictly forbidden to put your wool clothes in the dryer. Instead, opt for a gentler drying method. To avoid deforming your precious one, lay it flat on a terry cloth towel which will help absorb the humidity and remaining water. Don’t hesitate to turn your sweater over from time to time so that both sides can dry properly. To take care of your knit, there are actions to avoid when drying. In fact, you should definitely not wring or twist a wool garment as this risks damaging the knit and/or deforming it. Also be careful not to dry your garment next to a heat source, as this will cause the wool to shrink. When wool dries flat, it easily returns to its original shape and can then find its place in your wardrobe. And for those who do not plan to put away their laundry without an iron, it is better to follow certain instructions so as not to damage your clothing. Start by turning the garment inside out and placing a damp cloth over it to protect it. Always prefer a low temperature on your iron for your wool sweaters.
How often should you wash a wool sweater?
Wool has the advantage of not retaining odors, which greatly allows you to space out washings. To do this, simply air your sweater in the open air each time you wear it. When it comes to washing, there are those who wash their wool sweater at the beginning and end of each season and those who opt for a little more regular washing. In an interview with Femme Actuelle, Caren, a dyer from Seine pressing located in Paris, recommends washing every 4 to 5 uses. If you wear a wool sweater once a week, “you can wash it every month for up to a month and a half,” says Caren. Once clean, the sweater should be folded away from light and humidity to keep it as long as possible!