Handwashing a jumper

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi

I was lucky enough to be given an expensive jumper for Christmas - which is handwash only. I usually steer clear of anything that needs to be handwashed and I am nervous about wrecking it!

My washing machine has a handwash setting - does anyone use this for jumpers? Do you buy special liquid for handwashing? Any other tips for keeping my lovely new jumper looking like new?

Callie22

It depends what things are made of but I do tend to use the handwash setting on my machine. Having looked at it in action, I think it's probably gentler than I would be if I were washing by hand as when you're washing by hand there's always the temptation to scrub and wring and that's what damages the delicate stuff. I tend to put anything that needs handwashing in a net bag, and I use a very mild detergent - Woolite for wool stuff and Ecover delicate wash for silks etc. I also don't use fabric conditioner as I find this can make wool feel a bit slimy.

I also try to dry stuff flat, as I find it's the drip drying that can pull things out of shape. I used to have a mesh drying thing that you could hang over the bath to dry jumpers flat. I must get another as it was very useful, I think Lakeland sell them.

fannyadams

the secret to handwashing is
RINSING
you can use baby shampoo to wash woolies with but the importance is in the rinsing

YORKSHIRELASS

Thank you, the jumper is wool so I am going to get some Woolite from the supermarket tomorrow.

I think I will use the handwash setting on the machine as it will probably do a better job than I can do myself and my airer has a dry flat bit on it so I will put that in front of the fire to dry.

McKneff

Putting it in front of the fire and force drying it will completely ruin it.


Let It dry at its own pace.

lostinrates

I love hand washing and fond it really relaxing BUT......I do tend nowadays to fling my jumpers in the washing machine.

I also, much to a lot of people's shock, ways some that say dry clean only on the washing machine . My aunt opn law is horrified that I machine wash cashmere, but it looks fine. I've been machine washing cashmere for about fifteen years and it has been fine...with one caveat......when my husband does it he shrinks things.

Now my machine has a hand wash programme I use that. I still hand wash bras (wires are costly machine repairs jobs and unnecessary) and fine denier tights If I have some how managed not to ladder them wearing them but most other things get the hand wash programme now unless I am doing a big hand wash anyway.

bluebag

I hand wash quite a lot of delicate stuff. The main things to remember are:
1. Don't change the water temperature, rinse in the same temperature water as you wash it in.

2. Dry flat away from direct heat.

3. Use a liquid for washing wool or silk and squeeze gently, don't rub or scrub.

4. Do not spin, roll gently in a towel until all excess water is removed.