Thanks Mary. I think that when we were writing this tip, that we were
looking for the simplest, and easiest to use answers possible. However, in
our haste, we overlooked this vital bit of information.
Thank you for your help! Keep up the great work!
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Cleaning Wool
Summary: Baa, baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes, but it's all dirty! We can find wool all over the home. In fact, it is in everything from blankets to shirts and coats. Here are some great methods for taking care of your wool fabric.Wool fabric is fairly straightforward in its maintenance. It generally only needs to be cleaned once or twice a year, and a lot or dust and dirt can be removed by simply brushing the fabric (if it is heavily napped) lengthwise or rubbing downward gently with a damp cloth. never hang damp wool garments in the sun to dry, as they may shrink and possibly even fade in color.
If the garment says to "Dry Clean Only," you should take heed of the advice. Take care when hand-washing a "Dry Clean Only" garment, since it may not have been treated so that it can be washed without difficulties. If the garment has a tag sewn into it that says "Superwash", then you will be able to wash it in a washing machine as well as the dryer. Even so, you will want to wash the clothing one garment at a time. Set your machine to the gentle cycle, and keep the time your fabric will be in the washer brief. Be sure that the water temperature is set to cool or lukewarm, and make sure the laundry detergent has dissolved in the water if it is the kind that comes as a powder.
Blot, do not rub, any stains on wool fabric. Rubbing can get the stain worked in deeper, whereas blotting can absorb it up into cloth you're blotting with, preventing it from soaking in any more than it already has been. If there is anything you cannot get out yourself, then take it to a dry cleaner as soon as possible.
When hand washing your wool, you will need to keep the water warm. Hot water will set stains in wool fabric and shrinks the fabric, so never use hot water. Never use bleach on wool, since it eats through the fabric. Soak the wool for a few minutes in a solution of mild detergent and warm water, gently squeezing the fabric so you can get the solution into it. Never wring or agitate the wool, as doing so can disfigure, and shrink the fabric. Rinse in cool water, again squeezing to get the rinse water into the fabric, and the soap out. Then gently squeeze once more so you can get the excess liquid out. Reshape and lay your wool fabric flat to dry, since hanging will cause the fabric to stretch. Remember do not allow the fabric to dry in the sun or near heat.
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Comments for this tip:
Lee 31 Aug 2009, 09:26
Mary Kingston 31 Aug 2009, 01:51
As a Scot, educated from girlhood to knit and know how to care for hand
knitted garments, I have to say these guidelines are not quite correct as
far as non-Superwash wools are concerned. Dabbing, blotting and treating
gently are all the best ways to wash wool, but one more thing is vital,
although often misunderstood. Wool is emmensely tough. You can boil it and
freeze it with no ill effects. What you musn't do is change the temperature
of the water. So, you can wash wool in boiling water, but you must also
rinse it in boiling water, likewise you can wash it in freezing water, but
you must use the same to rinse. Making the slightest variation to the water
temperature will result in shrinkage to the wool which is such a shame to
lovingly hand crafted items. After 40 years of knitting I have never had a
problem. Hope this is helpful.