Washing knitted items in the washing machine
Before loading a knitted item into a machine or hand washing it, you should study the item’s label. The tag indicates how best to care for the clothing so that it retains its properties, shape and appearance longer. Knitted items must be washed carefully. The label specifies the optimal temperature regime, cleaning method (manual or machine), the possibility of using bleaches, conditioners, and recommendations for ironing.
Is it harmful to wash such things in a machine?
Housewives are interested in the question: is it generally acceptable to wash knitted items in a washing machine? In some cases, there is no information about this on the label. Most modern washing machine models have programs for gentle care of delicate fabrics. Washing knitted items in automatic machines is allowed, but only on gentle cycles, for example, “Wool” or “Delicate wash”.
However, practice has shown that only tightly knitted clothes or those made of thick threads mixed with synthetics can be safely loaded into an automatic washing machine. As for things made from pure wool, especially if the yarn was made with your own hands, without any additives, then it is better not to take risks. In this case, there will be a high probability of damaging the product, so it is better to resort to hand washing. Or at least use special bags where you should place the item before putting it into the washing drum.
Using the machine correctly
If you decide to wash knitted items in an automatic machine, it is important to follow some recommendations. Simple rules will allow you to preserve the color, shape, and appearance of your favorite sweater or dress for a long time.So, before loading the product into the drum, place it in a special laundry bag. Due to this, creases will not appear on things, and the fibers of the fabric will not stretch during intensive washing. Clothes are not deformed. If you don’t have a canvas bag, you can use a regular pillowcase that zips up.
Next, you need to decide on the washing temperature. Water that is too hot can damage the knitted item. Woolen clothes containing synthetics can be cleaned at 40°C. It is recommended that the water be a little warm, or even better - cool.
The optimal water heating temperature for washing pure wool products is no more than 30 °C.
In order for the process to be successful, and not end in sadness about the damaged item, it is necessary to launch the correct mode. You can choose from programs:
- "Delicate wash";
- "Wool";
- "Handwash".
It is recommended to disable the “Spin” option. However, if you are washing a thick knitted sweater or cardigan, you can use automatic spinning, but at the minimum speed - 400-600 rpm maximum.
It is equally important to choose the right detergent. It is advisable to give preference to liquid formulations aimed at caring for delicate woolen fabrics. It is also possible to use loose powders that dissolve well in water and are easily washed out of things. The same applies to conditioners, they should be designed for capricious fabrics.
What to wash with?
Another “eternal” question that arises when it comes to washing not everyday clothes, but individual items. To increase the wear time of your favorite knitted dresses, sweaters, cardigans, scarves and other wardrobe items, you should use special products that contain certain active substances.
It is better to abandon “chemistry” containing A-surfactants, bleaches, enzymes, phosphates, chlorine and other aggressive components.
Let's present a short overview of products that will do an excellent job of cleaning knitted items.
- Liquid “Weasel. Wool and Silk." A budget product that copes with any contamination with a bang. Perfect for washing knitted items. Can be used for manual cleaning and poured into an automatic machine. It has a delicate, unobtrusive scent and is very economical to use.
- Help is a special detergent for wool. It copes with its functions perfectly, removes stains, gives things softness and a subtle aroma. Can be used for hand and machine washing. An inexpensive composition that is consumed very slowly; 1 cap of liquid is enough for one cycle.
- Concentrated powder Luxus Professional, perfect for caring for delicate fabrics, wool and silk. The special formula allows the product to be used as economically as possible. It is important to observe the dosage of powder; too much of it can damage the item, leave stains on the material, and cause fading. It contains no phosphates and can be used for both manual and machine cleaning.
- Nordland gel for wool and silk. Biodegradable composition that does not cause allergies. It washes items made from delicate fabrics well and is suitable for SMA. Having studied customer reviews, it is easy to understand that the product removes the most difficult stains and gives things a pleasant aroma.
- The universal Prosept Crystal is designed for washing “capricious” fabrics. Thanks to a special formula, the gel penetrates deep into fabric fibers, washes out particles of dust and dirt, and then rinses out perfectly without leaving any traces. Effectively cleans clothes even in cold water, which is undoubtedly important when washing knitted items.
A good detergent is the key to success when caring for knitted items. That is why it is worth approaching its choice consciously. The composition should maintain the elasticity of the fibers, not spoil the yarn, provide softness and preserve the properties of woolen fabrics.
Traditional wash
Still, the best solution would be to hand wash knitted items. Only in this case can you fully control the process and clean the item as carefully and delicately as possible. Therefore, if possible, it is better not to touch the automatic washing machine, but to wash the product yourself. This way the wool will definitely not be deformed or lose its appearance. It is also easier to wash individual stains on clothing by hand.
According to some housewives, it is much easier to take a knitted item to the dry cleaner - professionals will definitely not harm the fabric. However, such a belief is not always true. Today there are many companies that provide services that are not up to the mark, and you should choose a dry cleaner only based on reviews and recommendations from real customers. It is easier and much cheaper to wash things at home, by hand.
The required amount of lukewarm water is collected in the basin. Remember, the washing temperature should not exceed 30-40°C. Place the knitted item in the container and leave to soak for literally 10 minutes. If the water is too hot, the item will immediately shrink a couple of sizes, so be very careful.
After this procedure, remove the clothes from the basin and wring them out lightly. Fill a container with new water and dilute a cleaning agent in it, for example, Laska liquid or Luxus Professional concentrated powder. Then proceed to the main wash process. If there is no composition for washing wool or delicate fabrics in the house at the right time, you can use regular shampoo. It is better not to use gels and powders for cotton and synthetics to clean knitted items; their components may be too harsh and aggressive for delicate yarn.
Watch your movements, do not stretch the item when washing so as not to deform it, do not wash certain areas - the threads will fluff up and the clothes will look sloppy.
Easily wipe the most contaminated areas - armpits, elbows, cuffs, collar. Do not rub clothes with brushes, as this will definitely damage the knitting. If you are washing an openwork sweater made from very fine yarn, and even one with decorative elements, gently stroke it, slightly squeezing the stained areas. The washing process will resemble rinsing the product in water, this way it will be possible to preserve the knitting.
Once the fabric is washed, it's time to start rinsing. You can fill the basin with clean water, or add a larger volume directly to the bath. Pour fabric softener into the liquid. Lightly squeeze the knitted item out of the soapy water and place it in the bath. It is important to wash and rinse wool items in water at the same temperature; sudden changes will negatively affect the fabric.
When striping the product, you should lightly rub it with your hands to remove all the powder from the fabric fibers. Once the cleaning process is complete, do not wring out the knitted item.Simply squeeze the sweater, cardigan or scarf lightly with your hands to remove excess liquid. Now that the job is done, it is important to dry the garment properly. There are a couple of tricks here too.
Removing moisture from things
After the bulk of the water has drained from the product, you should wrap the item in a large towel (preferably terry) and press it a little. The material will absorb excess moisture. Next, you need to lay out the jumper or cardigan on a flat surface, which is previously covered with this same towel. Lay the sweater on the back, then straighten the collar and sleeves. Make sure that the item is positioned evenly, without stretching further in any one direction.
It is not advisable to dry knitted items on clotheslines.
In such a situation, the clothes will certainly stretch and lose their original shape. Also, a crease from the linen thread may remain on the item, which is often difficult to get rid of, since not all woolen clothes are allowed to be ironed. It is not recommended to dry knitted items on radiators, near radiators or heating appliances. Also, you should not hang woolen sweaters and cardigans in the scorching sun. The best option is to lay the product on a flat table or ironing board in a well-ventilated area.
If there is still a need to iron knitted clothes, the items should be ironed from the wrong side and always through an additional layer of fabric. But, as a rule, with proper drying, the need for ironing disappears by itself.
So, don't be afraid of washing knitted items. By following all the recommendations, you will not spoil your favorite wardrobe item.The main thing is to strictly monitor the heating temperature of the water, avoid sudden changes, do not rub the material too hard when washing, and do not twist the product. It is better to resort to hand washing, but if there is no time, you can use an automatic machine.
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1 reader comment
But still, as practice shows, you can safely load knitted items into the machine only with tight knitting or very thick threads containing synthetics.