Wool Care
I felted the 100% merino wool interlock I received, thinking it would felt all the way and then I wouldn’t have to worry about shrinking anymore. I was wrong. Wool will continue to shrink forever, so I do have to hand wash it. That is, if I want Jeff’s shirts to stay his size.
A related question now: Can I use the hand wash cycle on my front loader washing machine? Does anyone have experience with wool and this cycle? The hand wash cycle is gentler than the wool cycle, according to my manual. But I want to know if I can trust it.
I found the answer to another question of mine. I wondered how I could clean our “dry clean only” wool sweaters at home — both to avoid the chemicals of dry cleaning and the expense. And the answer is Wet Cleaning. It can also be done professionally, but I will do as that article suggests to wet clean our wool at home.
The only felting I have done is with a thick wool. A purse. I can’t imagine what a shirt is like after felting. Do you have any photos?
Never mind. I see it below.
I do very well washing my woolens on the handwash wool programme on my Miele machine.
Thank you, Mrs. Pea.
I am really glad to hear your experience with this. Thank you for letting me know! Love, Wardeh
I learned from my knitting teacher that when you wash wool, if its on gentle you should be fine. But, when the washing is complete don’t use the dryer. Instead block the garment and shape it to where it needs to be. Then roll it in a towel or a thick absorbant fabric and let it dry that way.
A few years ago on Martha Stewart, she did a show about at home dry cleaning. I tried it with sweaters, my husbands uniforms, and a myriad of other ‘unwashables’ and it worked great. It may still be accessible on her web site, but if not let me know…:)
Thank you so much for this. I will look for the link at Martha Stewart. Why roll in a towel — just for absorbing moisture or for another reason? This morning I handwashed one of the shirts I made Jeff (because I was scared to try the hand wash cycle) and I’ve got it blocked out on a towel in a warm place in the house. Do you think drying by the fire would be too hot for hand wash garments?
I think this is the article you mentioned, still there! How to Wash Sweaters and Delicates
And another related article, with some of the same information: Blocking and Folding a Sweater
Love, Wardeh
Is there any way that you can test the hand washing cycle on an old wool garment of the kids? wool is such an expensive fabric!
Yes, I know, isn’t it? I am doing a test of sorts right now. I put a sweater of Naomi’s on the hand wash cycle. I also looked back at the manual and it says that for anything considered hand wash, that cycle is safe to use. The water is cold and the spin cycle greatly reduced to avoid shrinking. Thanks, Sangeeta! Love, Wardeh