How to wash wool socks in a washing machine?

Wool products are quite capricious and require special, careful care. This raises the question of whether wool socks can be washed in a washing machine. In fact, you can throw warm socks into the washing machine drum, the main thing is to follow the basic rules. We'll tell you how to prepare items for loading into the machine, which mode to choose, and what to avoid during the washing process.

Is it permissible to use a machine gun?

Of course, the best solution would be to clean wool products by hand, this way you can completely control the process and avoid wrinkling or squeezing the item too much. It is also possible to wash woolen socks in an automatic washing machine; it is only important to choose the right mode and use special detergents.

As for choosing programs, almost all modern washing machines have a “Wool” mode. It is suitable for knitted socks. It is also possible to run a delicate or hand wash, but here you must turn off the automatic spin. Rapid rotation of the drum will not benefit the stockings - they will shrink and the lint will form into lumps.

The maximum permissible water temperature when washing wool is 30°C.

After the washing machine finishes the cycle, you need to wait 5-10 minutes for the excess water to drain from your socks. Then the products need to be removed from the drum and laid out on a terry towel for further drying. When the litter gets wet, it should be changed.

You cannot dry wool socks in the washing machine. Firstly, a lot of “damage” will be caused to the machine - in just one such procedure, the fluff filter will be completely clogged. Cleaning this element is not so easy.Secondly, after drying in the machine, the fabric will become hard and unpleasant to the body.

Preparing items for washing

Before loading into an automatic machine, laundry should be sorted, even if it is socks. Dark, white and colored items are washed separately. Wool, when wet, can transfer some of the dye to the adjacent fabric, as a result of which the appearance of other things will deteriorate. Therefore, it is better to refuse mixed washing.

It is important to shake out the dust from each sock before placing it in the drum. It is also necessary to clean off the pellets and other debris adhering to the pile from the outside and inside. It will not be superfluous to study the information presented on the label. When buying socks, be sure to pay attention to the tag - it says at what temperature and what method to wash the products, and indicates the preferred ironing method.

Traditional care

The most gentle and gentle way to remove dirt from wool socks is to wash them by hand. This way the hostess will be able to fully control the process and take into account all the prohibitions. After hand washing, the products will not fade or lose shape. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• Fill the basin with water at a temperature of 20-30°C. In a cool environment, wool does not shrink;
• add detergent to the container. You can use shavings of baby or laundry soap, or use special gels for washing wool. It is better to avoid dry powder - its granules do not dissolve well in cold water and are difficult to wash out of fabric fibers;
• soak heavily soiled socks for literally 5 minutes in a soapy solution, this will soak the stains and make them come off easier;
• Rub local stains with soap;
• Using gentle kneading movements, wash the socks first from the outside, then from the inside.There is no need to rub the item forcefully;
• Rinse the products several times, constantly changing the water. You can use a softening conditioner at this stage;
• do not twist the wool. To squeeze out excess water, simply roll up the sock and apply light pressure.

The duration of hand washing should not exceed 30 minutes; the less woolen socks come into contact with water, the better.

To prevent the wool from losing color, you can add acetic acid to the washing solution. For five liters of liquid, add 2 tablespoons of 9% vinegar. Next, the socks need to be dried properly. In a well-ventilated room, on a table, you should spread a towel or sheet and place the products on top. As the bedding gets wet, the socks need to be shifted and turned over.

What absolutely cannot be done?

When cleaning wool products, it is important to remember the main taboos. If you do not follow the washing rules, woolen socks can not only shrink by a couple of sizes, but also lose their softness and heat-saving properties, become covered with pills, and change color. The main recommendations are:

• Avoid temperature changes during washing. You need to immerse wool in water of approximately one degree, both when cleaning and when rinsing;
• Prolonged soaking is strictly prohibited. Woolen items can be left in the water to soak for a maximum of 15 minutes;
• washing in hot water is prohibited, the temperature should not be higher than 30°C;
• You should use special detergents for wool: gels, capsules, plates. Dry powders should be avoided;
• Do not actively rub woolen socks or twist them during spinning;
• It is prohibited to dry wool products by hanging them on a clothesline or laying them on a radiator, heater, or electric dryer. It is not recommended to speed up the drying of things by blowing them with a hot hairdryer;
• Ironing wool according to general rules is prohibited.

If you follow all the recommendations, wool socks will remain the same shape and color after washing, will not lose their softness, and will remain warm. Whenever possible, it is better to wash wool products by hand. Having given preference to machine cleaning, the main thing is to choose the right program, do not forget to turn off the automatic spin cycle, sort things and monitor the water heating temperature.

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