Knitted items are relevant at all times. They are delicate, soft to the touch and warm during the cold season. But during wear, clothes become dirty and require regular cleaning. Knitted items should be washed taking into account their characteristics. After all, any incorrect actions can lead to deformation of the fibers. As a result, the clothes will be damaged and unsuitable for further use.
Knitted items require delicate washing
Is it possible to wash knitted items?
Such clothing has a number of undeniable advantages, but at the same time requires more careful care. Therefore, washing should be carried out in a gentle mode. This is the only way to preserve the quality of knitted items and clean them from dirt.
General washing rules:
- Regardless of the type of yarn, it is recommended to wash such items by hand or in an automatic machine, choosing a delicate cycle.
- The frequency of cleaning should be within once every 30-45 days, since with frequent contact with water, such clothes lose their original luster.
- Before washing, you must study all the manufacturer's recommendations that are indicated on the label.
- The edge of the collar and cuffs should be reinforced with thick thread in advance to avoid stretching.
- Before cleaning, treat stains with detergent in advance and leave them that way for 15 minutes.
- When washing, do not rub the material too hard; if necessary, use a soft bristle brush.
- It is recommended to use a liquid detergent for the procedure, as it is washed out better.
- Before washing, clothes should be turned inside out.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to vigorously wring out items after washing and rinsing, as this will disrupt the structure of the fibers.
At what temperature are knitted clothes washed?
Correct temperature conditions will protect the knitted item from damage and changes in size.
- For items made of pure wool, the temperature should not exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
- Knitted clothes with the addition of synthetics are more resistant to elevated temperatures, so the upper limit in this case is 40 degrees.
Basically, the cooler the water, the better. As you know, heavy stains are difficult to wash off at low temperatures, so knitted items should be protected.
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The choice of washing powder is important. Knitted items are washed with gels or powders for “capricious” items. For the rinsing mode, select an air conditioner from the same series. A good quality rinse aid additionally cleans items after washing with powder and makes them softer.
How to wash a knitted item so that it shrinks
When worn for a long time, knitted items stretch, and this negatively affects their appearance. But restoring a product by washing is quite possible, you just need to know some of the features of this procedure.
What detergents to use for washing knitted items
For cleaning, you should use liquid gels that are intended for delicate items. It is also recommended to use conditioner when rinsing, which will make the material soft and eliminate the likelihood of creases and pilling.
At what temperature should you wash knitted items?
In order for the product to shrink, it must be washed in hot water. To do this, you should initially study the recommended temperature on the label and increase it by 10-20 degrees.
It is also important to rinse the washed item in cold water afterwards. Temperature differences help achieve the desired result. To increase the shrinkage of clothes, you should rinse them several times, alternating warm and cold water.
Important! When washing knitted items that contain more synthetics than natural fibers, the water temperature should be increased as much as possible.
What mode should I use to wash knitted items?
When washing stretched clothes in an automatic machine, you must select a delicate mode, and be sure to use a spin cycle, but not more than 500 revolutions. When placing a knitted item in the drum, it should be placed in a special washing bag.
If in the end the product does not shrink to the required size, then rinse and spin should be repeated.
Detergents for knitted items
Regular laundry detergents can damage knitted items. The fur of animals (sheep, camels, goats...) from which wool is made is similar to human hair. It is wrapped in a thin outer layer which defines the appearance of the fibre/wool. When washed with conventional means, this layer may be destroyed. This can make the yarn dry and dull. It may also lose its original color. Washing powders containing enzymatic ingredients are completely unsuitable for washing knitted items.
Recommended detergents:
- "Perwool." The best choice is Perwoll Care Balm in liquid form.
- Shampoo. Try washing the knit with daily shampoo. Constantly use only shampoos for normal hair (not for oily or damaged hair). A good option is baby shampoos.
Additional tools:
- Hair conditioner. If you want to increase the softness of the knit, especially with coarse wool, add a little hair conditioner when rinsing. The yarn will become soft, its shine will increase, and the product will acquire a pleasant smell.
- Fabric softener. It can be used, but only for some types of yarn.
Important! Products made from sheep's wool can be washed in lanolin washing powder. Natural wool contains lanolin. This is a substance that protects sheep from getting their wool wet. Thanks to it, sweaters will retain their excellent properties for a long time.
Expert opinion
Evgenia Taran
The key to washing success is moderation. To achieve the desired result, a small amount of detergent and conditioner is enough. Excessive amounts of them will do more harm than good.
How to properly wash knitted items
You can wash such clothes manually or in an automatic machine. Depending on the chosen cleaning method, the procedure is slightly different. Therefore, before you start cleaning, you need to familiarize yourself with the general rules.
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Before washing knitted items made from acrylic or other types of material, you must first remove stains. To do this, you will need to prepare a cleaning solution and apply it to the contaminated area for 20 minutes. Do not rub too hard to avoid damaging the fiber structure. After the time has passed, the product must be sent for washing.
Advice! For more thorough treatment of dirt, you can use a brush with soft bristles.
How to wash knitted items by hand
This cleaning method is preferable for knitted items. In this case, your favorite sweater, hat or gloves will not be deformed and will retain its presentable appearance.
Important! When cleaning by hand, the wash and rinse water temperatures should be approximately the same to prevent shrinkage.
Manual cleaning algorithm:
- Fill a basin with warm water at a temperature of 30-35 degrees, and the volume of liquid should be sufficient to completely cover the product.
- Dissolve washing gel, shampoo or shavings of baby soap in it, mix until the composition is uniform, and whip up the foam.
- Immerse the item and lightly crush it.
- Leave the product in this state for 5-10 minutes.
- After time, squeeze a little and rinse in cool water with added conditioner.
- At the end of the procedure, place the washed item on the edge of the bathtub and allow excess water to drain.
It is not recommended to even lightly rub clothes made from angora or merino wool when washing, as any impact can damage the structure of the material.
If the water becomes significantly darker during washing, it must be replaced with a new one.
How to wash knitted items in an automatic machine
This cleaning method is only suitable for knitted items with a dense structure. It is not recommended to machine wash more delicate items.
Algorithm for the procedure:
- Turn the item inside out and place it in a laundry bag.
- Pour washing gel and conditioner into the machine compartment.
- Set to delicate mode, heat the water to 30 degrees, and turn off the spin cycle if you don’t need to shrink the item.
- Start the wash.
If at the end the item feels soapy to the touch, you need to rinse it again. Detergent residue may cause brown streaks after drying.
You need to squeeze the product by hand very carefully, without twisting the fibers.
How to wash something you've just knitted
Handmade knitted items must be washed before wearing. Experts recommend doing this procedure before the final assembly of the product is carried out. In this case, it is necessary to soak all parts in warm soapy water and lightly wash. Then rinse and dry.
Experienced knitters recommend that before washing a finished knitted product, testing it on the yarn from which it is made. This will allow you to determine the degree of shrinkage and select the optimal water temperature to avoid deformation.
Advice! Washing a newly knitted item is a must, which will straighten the stitches, fluff the yarn and improve its appearance.
How to dry knitted items after washing
It is important not only to wash clothes properly, but also to dry them. The quality of the washed product directly depends on this.
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After washing, the item should be left on the edge of the bath until the water drains. Then you need to lay the product horizontally on a terry towel. After preparation, the washed knitted item must be unrolled on a flat surface, placing an absorbent layer underneath.
Periodically, the product needs to be turned over and the bedding replaced to speed up the process. The item should remain in this form until completely dry.
Basic drying rules:
- You cannot hang a washed knitted item on a clothesline, otherwise it will stretch out.
- Drying should take place in a well-ventilated area, since prolonged drying for more than 48 hours can lead to damage to the product.
- Knitted clothes should dry naturally without using a hair dryer, battery or heater, as these devices cause brown streaks.
- You cannot dry knitted items in the kitchen, as wet fibers absorb foreign odors, so the product will not smell fresh.
Excess moisture can be removed by wrapping the item in a terry towel.
Removing moisture from things
After the bulk of the water has drained from the product, you should wrap the item in a large towel (preferably terry) and press it a little. The material will absorb excess moisture. Next, you need to lay out the jumper or cardigan on a flat surface, which is previously covered with this same towel. Lay the sweater on the back, then straighten the collar and sleeves. Make sure that the item is positioned evenly, without stretching further in any one direction.
It is not advisable to dry knitted items on clotheslines.
In such a situation, the clothes will certainly stretch and lose their original shape. Also, a crease from the linen thread may remain on the item, which is often difficult to get rid of, since not all woolen clothes are allowed to be ironed. It is not recommended to dry knitted items on radiators, near radiators or heating appliances. Also, you should not hang woolen sweaters and cardigans in the scorching sun. The best option is to lay the product on a flat table or ironing board in a well-ventilated area.
If there is still a need to iron knitted clothes, the items should be ironed from the wrong side and always through an additional layer of fabric. But, as a rule, with proper drying, the need for ironing disappears by itself.
So, don't be afraid of washing knitted items. By following all the recommendations, you will not spoil your favorite wardrobe item. The main thing is to strictly monitor the heating temperature of the water, avoid sudden changes, do not rub the material too hard when washing, and do not twist the product. It is better to resort to hand washing, but if there is no time, you can use an automatic machine.
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1 reader comment
- 12/31/2019 at 07:37
Anonymous:
But still, as practice shows, you can safely load knitted items into the machine only with tight knitting or very thick threads containing synthetics.
Answer
What to do if a knitted item shrinks after washing
If you ignore the washing instructions for knitted items, shrinkage may occur. This occurs when the wrong cleaning mode is selected. In this case, you can return it to a presentable appearance, but you will have to try.
The main ways to help restore a knitted item if it has shrunk:
- Soak for 10 minutes. into warm water. After this, lightly squeeze and stretch evenly in different directions. Then attach the product with needles or pins along the edge to the backing. Leave it like this until completely dry.
- You can restore a presentable appearance using temperature exposure. To do this, you need to soak the shrunken product for 10 minutes. Then take it out and let the water drain. After this, lay the item on a terry towel and run a steam iron on top.
- To restore the product, you can soak it in a special solution of hydrogen peroxide (1.5 tbsp) and water (5 l). Leave in this form for 1 hour. After this, squeeze lightly, stretch in all directions and dry in a horizontal position.
- If the item is made of mixed threads, then you can use a more radical method. To do this, you will first need to soak it in cool water for 15 minutes. Then squeeze lightly and put it in an automatic machine for a full wash cycle without detergent with rinsing. When finished, wring out the knitted item, stretch it in different directions and dry it horizontally on a terry towel.
