How to properly wash woolen clothes in the washing machine and by hand
In winter, nothing better than putting on a warm woolen sweater with socks, enjoying the warmth and comfort. The only drawback of woolen items is the difficulty of washing, since the material is delicate and the usual methods will not work here. Let's figure out how to properly wash woolen clothes at home so that they serve faithfully for many years in a row.
Hardware Features
Material characteristics that should be considered before starting the wash include:
- sensitivity to temperature extremes;
- in case of prolonged contact with water, an article made of sheep's wool can lose its original shape;
- frequent water treatments will change coat texture. It will become rougher and less pleasant to the touch.
To note! To get rid of the unpleasant smell that has soaked the fabric, it is enough to hang the item in the fresh air. Washing is not necessary in such cases.
Rules of care
Owners of woolen items should know the basic rules of care, compliance with which will extend their life. These include:
- Read the manufacturer's recommendation label before washing and follow the instructions provided.
- Don't forget to air out your clothes.
- Do not neglect dry cleaning.
- In case of small stains on clothes, remove them quickly, without leaving the contaminated area.
Explore labels and instructions
Many wearers of garments made from delicate fabrics disregard the manufacturer's recommendations on the label. This leads to damage to the fiber structure and premature deterioration. Remember that if you follow all the instructions, not only will the item last much longer, but there will be no major changes in its appearance.
Aeration
It often happens that woolen clothes sit on the closet shelf for a long time, accumulating dust and unpleasant odors. After that, in order to get rid of it, the owners subject the fabric to washing. This negatively affects the state of fibers and texture. In order not to expose the material to excessive stress, ventilate it with fresh air every 1.2-2 months.
Dry cleaning
Garments made from 100% wool are difficult to handle with conventional methods and dirt is removed by dry cleaning. It needs:
- Remove lint and fluff with a soft bristle brush.
- Place the item carefully on a flat surface.
- Sprinkle the material with washing powder, then scrub it gently with a soft-bristled brush.
- Wait 30 minutes, then brush off excess detergent.
- Hang the item on a hanger and spray the surface.
- Dry in a stream of air.
Elimination of local pollution on schedule
Quick removal of local dirt, delivered by the owner for negligence, will save you from having to wash everything. Thus, the fabric will be less damaged and lose its presentable appearance.
Main issues
When cleaning woolen garments, wearers face the following difficulties:
- fabric deformation;
- narrowing;
- the fibers lose their original color, becoming coarser to the touch;
- the appearance of granules;
- white clothes take on a yellowish tint.
Narrowing
The wrong temperature regime, set by the owners of the thing when washing, leads to the shrinkage of the fabric. It can be difficult to return clothes to their original state, and all that remains is to throw them away. To avoid these situations, follow the instructions on the label.
Deformation
Another side effect of non-compliance with the temperature regime is revealed in the form of deformation. Garments may have stretched sleeves or a stretched collar.
Usually such deformations are irreversible, so do not be lazy to read the information on the label and strictly adhere to it.
Loss of softness and color
If the maintenance rules are not followed, there are frequent cases of loss of color and changes in texture. The thing becomes coarser to the touch and is already unpleasant to wear.
Yellowing of white wool
If you have white woolen clothes in your wardrobe, be prepared for them to yellow over time.It will not be possible to avoid this, and proper bleaching, using approved chemicals, will restore the old appearance to the clothes.
pellets
Pumps appear on the fabric of a sweater or sweater due to:
- mechanical damage;
- non-compliance with the rules of care;
- poor quality texture;
- friction.
It is almost impossible to prevent their appearance. You only have to deal with the pellets as soon as they appear.
Washing rules
When you start washing wool, get into the habit of letting yourself be guided by the following rules:
- correctly determine the washing mode;
- do not exceed the permissible temperature;
- choose cleaning products responsibly;
- do not save on water;
- respect the soaking and washing times recommended by the manufacturer.
Manual or automatic washing
If you wash an object that is not intended for automatic cleaning in a typewriter, then you can safely say goodbye to it. Do not forget to check the label on which all possible modes are indicated.
Temperature
Non-compliance with the temperature regime during stain removal will lead to the following consequences:
- the fabric will shrink;
- will lose its original shape.
Such consequences are extremely difficult to reverse, and it is better not to bring such a thing.
Choice of means
The best choices for processing wool products are:
- Organic wool gel.
- Sonett organic liquid product.
- Gel Black Line Feinwaschmittel.
- Air conditioning Ear nurses.
- VANISH Oxi Action Stain Remover.
- Fluid Denkmit Wollwaschlotion.
Organic wool gel
An effective detergent, the advantages of which are:
- the ability to use for different washing modes;
- protects the fabric;
- softens fibers;
- eliminates unpleasant odors;
- kills bacteria.
Gel for washing black fabrics Black Line Feinwaschmittel
Ideal for dark wool.Removes dirt without leaving residue on the fabric.
According to the opinions of consumers who often use this product, it has the best value for money.
Sonett organic liquid detergent for wool and silk
An organic laundry detergent made with olive soap will help you achieve the following results:
- the fabric becomes more elastic;
- does not cause allergies;
- suitable for various modes;
- gentle care.
Denkmit Wollwaschlotion fluid
Advantages of using Denkmit Wollwaschlotion fluid:
- restores fabric fibers damaged during the washing process;
- creates a protective layer;
- restores softness and silkiness to the material;
- careful impact.
Ushasty Nian baby clothes softener for cashmere wool clothes
Helps soften hardened tissue, restoring its former tenderness. Does not cause allergies, which is equally beneficial for adults and children. Covers the fibers with a protective film to prevent the accumulation of static electricity.
VANISH Oxi Action Fabric Stain Remover
Thanks to the molecules of active oxygen contained in the stain remover, VANISH Oxi Action allows you to:
- get rid of pollution;
- maintain color saturation.
To note! Suitable for cleaning white and colored fabrics.
Large amount of water
After washing, woolen clothes are rinsed with plenty of water. This, coupled with a gradual decrease in the temperature of the liquid, will save the tissue from deformation and deterioration of its structure.
Washing and soaking time
It is not recommended to keep wool in water for a long time. It is optimal that the whole process from washing to rinsing takes you no more than 40-45 minutes.
If you overexpose a thing in water, it will stretch or, conversely, shrink.
Coaching
Proper preparation of wool before washing is the key to success. Be careful of:
- removal of fittings;
- sorting;
- check the reaction of the fabric to the cleaning agent;
- turn things around.
Fittings
Often, various auxiliary accessories are attached to woolen clothes, serving as decoration. If possible, unplug it before washing. If this is not done, the machine and other clothes will be damaged during washing.
Sorting
Woolen products must go through the sorting process and are divided according to:
- degree of pollution. Heavily soiled items are washed separately;
- Color. Do not mix white and colored items in a pile or they will color each other.
Hinges
Large loops, floating freely on a running fabric, should preferably be hemmed before washing. If this is not done, under strong influence, they can stretch or even break.
turn upside down
It is recommended that all garments, regardless of fabric, be turned inside out before cleaning. Thanks to this, the material retains its structure and the colors do not fade.
Check fabric for a line
To ensure that the correct detergent is chosen, drop a little substance on the seam on the wrong side. If after a while the fibers do not begin to fall out, the product is suitable for further use.
Raking
Brushing allows you to remove dirt from the surface, which facilitates subsequent cleaning. Brushing should be done carefully using a soft bristled brush.
remove stains
When removing stains, try using:
- Folk remedies that carefully interact with wool fibers.
- Non-aggressive chemical stain remover specially formulated for woolen garments.
How to wash your hands properly
When washing by hand, follow these guidelines:
- Don't go to great lengths to scrub things aggressively.
- Do not wash in hot water.
- Try rinsing the clothes after washing them with water close to the temperature that was removing the dirt.
- Do not feel sorry for the water when rinsing, otherwise streaks will remain on the material.
Machine wash features
Machine washing, with the right preparation, is in no way inferior to hand washing. In the process, do not forget about the following nuances:
- turn clothes inside out before putting them in the drum;
- try not to use dry powders - they are more difficult to wash off;
- wash only in gentle mode, turning off the spin function;
- a special mesh bag will protect the fabric, preventing it from deforming.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies have a lesser effect than their store counterparts, but they act more gently on the fibers of the fabric, protecting it from damage. Effective recipes include:
- Mustard powder;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- Potato;
- crushed chalk.
Mustard powder
Algorithm of actions when using mustard powder:
- mix the powder with water;
- soak the fabric in the resulting solution for 15-20 minutes;
- rinse and dry.
Crushed chalk
Grind pieces of chalk, then dilute the resulting powder in warm water. Dip the fabric in the solution and let it soak for 25 minutes. While the fabric is soaking, it is necessary to stir the water periodically so that the chalk does not settle to the bottom. We rinse the fabric and send it to the wash.
To note! The recipe is only suitable for white items.
Beans
The process of making a bean decoction:
- take white beans;
- we throw it into boiling water;
- let the liquid boil again;
- drain the water into a separate bowl through a colander;
- let the water cool to 45 oh, after which we send the wool there for 1 hour.
Potato
We prepare a decoction of potatoes using a similar system, after which we soak the damaged tissues in it. This broth does not damage the fibers of the fabric, contrary to chemistry.
Chestnuts
A decoction of chestnuts is prepared in the same way as the previous ones, it has a similar effect. Which ingredient to choose is up to you.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide whitens yellowed fabrics without damaging their structure. During washing, it is allowed to use only a 3% solution, which is diluted in the ratio:
- 10 liters of water;
- 2 tablespoons of peroxide.
Care after washing
An important step in stain removal that affects the overall preservation and appearance of the product. Necessary:
- rinse thoroughly;
- dry;
- tap.
Rinsing
Made in a large quantity of lukewarm water. It is necessary to remove traces that may remain after washing.
Drying
Drying is carried out in the fresh air. Avoid exposing the fabric to direct sunlight. Dry on a smooth, flat surface to avoid stretching.
Ironing
Ironing should be done very gently using the "Wool" mode. It is advisable to put a gasket in the form of a thin cloth, which will prevent damage to the product.
Tips & Tricks
When caring for wool from a sheep or other animal, observe the following recommendations:
- Try not to machine wash 100% wool. Hand washing is fine.
- Store folded clothes on separate shelves.
- Do not twist the fabric during the spin cycle. A strong impact will stretch the fibers and the thing will lose its shape.