Washing wool sweaters: seven mistakes that can ruin the garment
Wool sweaters can shrink, lose their shape or become covered in pilling after improper washing. The outlet Southern Living has compiled care rules to help avoid this.
A wool sweater is a widely worn garment in the cold season, but a single wrong wash can make it smaller, misshapen or covered in fuzz. According to the US outlet Southern Living, a few simple wool care rules can prevent this.
Why wool shrinks
Wool fibres have a scaly surface. When heat, moisture and intense friction act on them at the same time, the fibres tangle together. This process is called felting: the fabric becomes denser, stiffer and can shrink considerably. For this reason, high temperatures, sudden temperature changes and strong mechanical action should be avoided.
How to wash
First, read the care label: some items can go in the washing machine, others must be hand-washed, and some are meant for dry cleaning only. Second, use a gentle detergent made for wool, and avoid strong detergents, bleach and products containing enzymes.
For hand washing, water at about 30 degrees is suitable. Washing in hot water and then rinsing in very cold water is not advised. The sweater is left to soak in water with detergent for about 10 minutes, then rinsed gently, without rubbing or wringing.
In a washing machine, choose the wool programme or, if there is none, a cold-water or delicates setting. The sweater should be turned inside out or placed in a laundry bag.
Drying and storage
Wet wool should not be dried on a hanger, because it becomes heavier and can stretch, especially at the shoulders and sleeves. Excess water is pressed out without wringing, the sweater is rolled in a towel, then laid flat on a dry surface in the shade, not in direct sunlight or on a radiator. For storage, sweaters are better folded and kept on a shelf.
If the sweater has shrunk
If the wool has already felted, restoring the original size can be very difficult. Minor changes can be tackled by dampening the sweater in lukewarm water with a wool conditioner and gently stretching it on a towel, but the result is not guaranteed. Wool sweaters do not need washing after every wear, as the material naturally repels odours and dirt, and airing is often enough.
