Jumper shrunk after only 6 washes

kitty1941

My husband bought a jumper sometime last year and after only about 6 washes it has now shrunk so much that it will only now fit a small child.
It is made of lambswool but I have followed the washing instructions which says can be washed at 40degrees.
(It was purchased from a major high street retailer)
Do I have any redress with the retailer and if so what I can ask of them.
Thanks

InsideInsurance

How long have you had it?

Surprised that lambswool can be machine washed at all but if thats what the label says then fair enough.

Take it back to the store with your receipt saying its faulty as its shrunk despite you following the care instructions.

If its under 6 months old its up to them to prove you havent miss used it (ie not followed the instructions). If its over 6 months old then technically its up to you to prove the fault was inherent and it isnt miss use but most retailers dont do this

kitty1941

Unfortunately dont have the receipt and I know it is more than 6 months ago.
I was surprised also that lambswool could be machine washed but that is what it says on the label- I always check labels when buying clothes as dont like hand washing!!!!!

InsideInsurance

PS. How did you dry it?

Assuming it hasnt shrunk as much as you say it is possible to restretch woolen goods though the texture never quite returns and the body is very hard to do (sleaves are easy enough). See http://www.permanentstyle.co.uk/2014/03/how-to-stretch-a-sweater.html

Ignore the fact the rest of the blog talks about £3,000 shoes and suits etc

InsideInsurance

kitty1941 wrote: »

Unfortunately dont have the receipt and I know it is more than 6 months ago.

Receipts arent the only acceptable form of proof of purchase. Bank/ credit card statements showing the transaction etc also often are acceptable.

kitty1941

Dried on indoor airer or on the washing line outside- dont have a tumble dryer!!! It has shrunk a great deal.
I will hunt out credit card statement/bank statement and pay a visit to the retailer.
Will let you know how I get on.

GuttedTBH

All is not lost.
I managed to recover a Timberland merino wool jumper that my kids washed incorrectly.

Buy a few bottles of cheap fabric conditioner (you will need to do this procedure more than once)
Fill a bath with luke-warm water to maybe 2 inches. Pour in one full bottle of conditioner. Lay out the jumper in the bath and cover with towels (this ensures all the jumper is under the water and not floating) leave for a while, I left it for a day.

Next, carefully squeeze out excess water DO NOT WRING!
Then, roll up in a dry towel to further remove excess water.
Now lay it out flat and stuff it. I use towels for the arms and a rolled up duvet for the body.
Allow it dry completely naturally by air only while stuffed.

Do this as many times as required. You will never get it back 100% shape wise! but if it's a fairly loose fitting comfy jumper, this won't be noticed.

The conditioner relaxes the fibres and allows you to re-shape them.
Good luck.

hollydays

Does this label specify which spin cycle or programme you should use? Does your washing machine have a woollens programme?

kitty1941

label says
40degrees
do not soak
dryflat
reshape when damp
do not tumble dry
do not pile whilst damp
dry away from direct sunlight

I have done all of the above and it still shrunk

hollydays

Does it have the machine wash logo?

kitty1941

Yes, it does have the machine wash logo