How to Wash a Wool Sweater
Winter is wool season, and is the best time to show off those beautiful wool sweaters you’ve been keeping in your closet for the entire year. Keeping your sweaters nice and clean throughout the season doesn’t mean you need to visit the dry cleaners often. Here are some easy steps you can do to wash your wool.
Read The Label First
Most sweaters have instructions on how to wash them. Follow these directions closely. Not all wool sweaters require dry cleaning. Check if yours do, otherwise, you can either machinewash or handwash them. Again, this all depends on the instructions you’ll see at the back of your sweater.
For Machinewash:
Set your machine on the gentle cycle.
Choose the right detergent for your wool.
Use cold or hot water for washing.
For Handwash:
Turn your wool sweater inside out. This will protect the outer surface of the wool.
Lay a sheet of paper on a flat surface and put your sweater on top of it.
wool sweater
Trace the outline of your wool on the paper.
Soak your sweater on a basin of lukewarm water.
Use a detergent that is safe for wool.
Let it stand for about 15 minutes.
Gently wash your sweater.
Rinse until there is no more soap in the water.
Let the water drain from the wool for a few minutes.
Put your sweater on a towel and roll it to remove excess water.
Place the wool on the sheet of paper again.
Tug on your sweater lightly and shape it back to its original form.
Use a towel to press your sweater to remove any remaining moisture.
Air dry. This may take from a few hours to a few days. Dry one side first, then turn it over the next day to dry the other side.
Tips:
When machinewashing, remember that water temperature should be constant in all cycles. Different temperatures will damage the wool.
Be careful of the detergent you use. Some chemicals may damage your wool.
Never dry your sweater under the sun. Heat may also cause some serious damage.
It’s not advisable to use a detergent that is alkaline. Check the pH level of your detergent. Most soaps in the market are alkaline. Choose the right one for your wool.
You can use dish detergents and shampoos for your sweater. These make your wool softer. Make sure that you read the label of your detergent or shampoo. It should not contain any harmful chemicals such as perfumes, thickeners and coloring.
You can also buy natural detergents for wool.
Taking care of your wool is not a hard task. You just have to be careful of what you use to wash your wool sweaters. Have fun during the winter season, and use your wool sweaters as much as you like.