topic Re: Washing WK sweaters in Fashion

Washing WK sweaters

PilatesLover — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 22:27:18 GMT

Perhaps I should stop purchasing WK sweaters - I realize the directions recommend hand washing but I don't have time for that. Today I washed my newer navy WK turtleneck, using gentle cycle, cold water, and put it in a laundry bag, inside out. I also tumbled dry very low, 15 minutes just to release some dampness. I'm letting it dry flat now. I have to say, it's a mass of wrinkles and it developed a bit of pilling.

How do you wash your WK items?

Re: Washing WK sweaters

HAPPY LADY — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 23:06:38 GMT

I know this requires another purchase; but I absolutely love Joy Mangano's dryer(HSN). It collapses into a case like a sewing machine case and opens up to about 5'. I have a regular dryer but I have had this thing about 6 years and leave standing all the time. I wash my WK's, cotton/span knits etc and all cashmere's in my regular machine and then hang on Huggable Hangers (no shoulder puckers); hang on the bar at the top in the dryer; zip up the front and turn on. I dry more than recommended and usually dry about 8 to 10 items at a time. Everything I dry comes out ready to wear. The air inside gently blows around and keeps the fabric gently moving and releases all wrinkles. There are different settings and I just love this thing. Cost $99 and worth every penny. Just hang your items on hangers, zip up, turn on; has a timer. Great product. I don't have time to hand wash and hate clothes laying around to dry. How any clothes can you spread around to dry? My WK's come out wrinkle free, every item I have dried in this dryer comes out ready to wear. If you have limited space this is a godsend.

I have also placed a fresh linen scent on a damp cloth and placed inside to fresh my husband's suit jackets. LOVE!!

Re: Washing WK sweaters

GraceCO — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 23:23:20 GMT

I checked out the Joy Mangano dryer on HSN--what a great idea. The cost is $149 and it's rated a 2.6 out of 5 stars. The reviews lean toward one star (106 out of 225), tho, which makes me pause.

I have Joy Mangano's steamer & hangers--I'd give both 5 stars.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

gardensla — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 23:26:16 GMT

I'm not disputing your experience but I've been machine-washing my WK sweaters in cold water on the gentle cycle and laying flat to dry for years without pilling or even all that many wrinkles. The only difference is that I don't put mine in the dryer at all.

I don't see how that would change the look and performance of the fabric as you describe but it's all I can think of!

Re: Washing WK sweaters

HAPPY LADY — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 23:41:03 GMT

On 1/4/2015 GraceCO said:
I checked out the Joy Mangano dryer on HSN--what a great idea. The cost is $149 and it's rated a 2.6 out of 5 stars. The reviews lean toward one star (106 out of 225), tho, which makes me pause.

I have Joy Mangano's steamer & hangers--I'd give both 5 stars.

I would give her steamer and hangers 5 stars also and that's why I took a chance on this dryer. I am always bewildered what some buyers expect out of a product. One reviewer year's ago gave it a 1 star stating she was not happy with this dryer because there were no sharp creases down the front of her jeans as there would be if she sent them to the cleaners. What?? I guess the concept of cleaning and not pressing some how escaped her comprehension. I have had mine for 6 years and am really, really pleased. So much so when this was offered the last time (when the video was done) I ordered a new one just in case my 6 year old one dies. I have the linen color and am very pleased. They do go on sale for $100 ever so often. If a product looks like it meets a need in my life I give it a go and if it doesn't I send it back. Guess I'm lucky, I very seldom get a lemon; actually almost never. I just do the system I mentioned earlier; turn it on, come home after work and everything I hung inside is good to go again.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

JustJazzmom — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 23:43:48 GMT

I wash in the washing machine on cold water and cold rinse the WKs inside out and on normal spin and wash. I then turn them right side out and hang to dry on a hanger. No dryer for them at all. They come out beautiful each time.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

rrpell — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 00:05:28 GMT

My washing machine is a Miele front loader. I wash my WK (one at a time) on "hand wash", cold water, with a gentle soap. I dry flat. I experience no pilling.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

Berlybaby — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 00:08:00 GMT

I wash mine in a laundry bag on permanent press cycle and dry them on gentle cycle. Never had a problem.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

gk27 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 00:10:07 GMT

I always wash my whisper knits in the washer with cold water, gentle cycle. I put them in the dryer with high heat for about 1-2 minutes to loosen the wrinkles then lay flat and smooth out remaining wrinkles. I've never had any pilling. I've even accidentally dried them for the full high heat cycle and still no pilling.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

DiAnne — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 02:50:34 GMT

I wash in laundry bag in warm water. Lie flat on a rack to dry (unfortunately can only do three at a time). When dry I throw in the dryer on low for a few minutes and the wrinkles come right out.

Edited for lack of the ability to spell!

Re: Washing WK sweaters

BellaPaprika — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 03:43:45 GMT

I'm glad the OP posted this. Sadly, my experience has been the same as hers with the WK sweaters pilling. Also the sleeves on mine stretched out of shape. At first, I washed them as the OP did but always dried them flat. I never put mine in the dryer. Some that I bought later I hand washed. It made no difference. I've had posters argue with me that this cannot happen with the WK sweaters. Perhaps it has to do with them being different lots of yarn. I don't know but the first ones I bought that did this were at least 2 years ago. I've given up and will not purchase any more. I shave the ones I have to get rid of the pills and I push the sleeves up to almost my elbows so the looseness won't show. But I can't wear them anymore anywhere but very casual as they look a bit sloppy. It's a shame because I love the feel of the knit and the colors.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

solandra — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 03:49:09 GMT

I wash my WK on the normal/casual cycle (Westinghouse front load designation) cold wash/rinse. Dry on low for a few minutes then hang to dry. Perfection! I have done all the wrong things according to my directions for handling WK. Yet.....they always turn out perfectly.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

GraceCO — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 04:29:03 GMT

On 1/4/2015 HAPPY LADY said:
On 1/4/2015 GraceCO said:
I checked out the Joy Mangano dryer on HSN--what a great idea. The cost is $149 and it's rated a 2.6 out of 5 stars. The reviews lean toward one star (106 out of 225), tho, which makes me pause.

I have Joy Mangano's steamer & hangers--I'd give both 5 stars.

I would give her steamer and hangers 5 stars also and that's why I took a chance on this dryer. I am always bewildered what some buyers expect out of a product. One reviewer year's ago gave it a 1 star stating she was not happy with this dryer because there were no sharp creases down the front of her jeans as there would be if she sent them to the cleaners. What?? I guess the concept of cleaning and not pressing some how escaped her comprehension. I have had mine for 6 years and am really, really pleased. So much so when this was offered the last time (when the video was done) I ordered a new one just in case my 6 year old one dies. I have the linen color and am very pleased. They do go on sale for $100 ever so often. If a product looks like it meets a need in my life I give it a go and if it doesn't I send it back. Guess I'm lucky, I very seldom get a lemon; actually almost never. I just do the system I mentioned earlier; turn it on, come home after work and everything I hung inside is good to go again.

Reassuring to hear you've had a good experience, especially after using it for 6 years. I definitely think it's worth a try. I will wait until it goes down to $99, tho. Appreciate the heads up!

Re: Washing WK sweaters

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 05:17:11 GMT

What is WK? I take my clothes (even cotton clothes) to the cleaners. I figure if I'm going to invest the money I can invest paying for them.

Some of the things (like jeans, etc) I take to a chain called ZIP cleaners. They're only around $2.99 each.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

shoesnbags — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 05:25:22 GMT

I probably have over 25 whisper knits collected over the time that they have been available. All are still good as new. I turn them inside out, place each one in a mesh bag, and wash in a gentle cold water cycle with similar colors - in other words, as part of a regular load. I never use the dryer. Instead, I shake each piece out and lay flat to dry on an electric sweater dryer recommended by a couple of Linea ladies. This is what works for me.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

GraceCO — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 05:31:49 GMT

On 1/4/2015 shoesnbags said:
I probably have over 25 whisper knits collected over the time that they have been available. All are still good as new. I turn them inside out, place each one in a mesh bag, and wash in a gentle cold water cycle with similar colors - in other words, as part of a regular load. I never use the dryer. Instead, I shake each piece out and lay flat to dry on an electric sweater dryer recommended by a couple of Linea ladies. This is what works for me.

Shoesnbags, would you please share the name of the electric sweater dryer?

I wash my WKs the same way and lay them flat to dry, but they wrinkle. I steam them with the JM steamer, but it's time consuming. A sweater dryer sounds like a better option.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

PilatesLover — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:08:48 GMT

Thank you all for the feedback. I'll try skipping the dryer altogether next time.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

shoesnbags — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:27:20 GMT

On 1/4/2015 GraceCO said:
On 1/4/2015 shoesnbags said:
I probably have over 25 whisper knits collected over the time that they have been available. All are still good as new. I turn them inside out, place each one in a mesh bag, and wash in a gentle cold water cycle with similar colors - in other words, as part of a regular load. I never use the dryer. Instead, I shake each piece out and lay flat to dry on an electric sweater dryer recommended by a couple of Linea ladies. This is what works for me.

Shoesnbags, would you please share the name of the electric sweater dryer?

I wash my WKs the same way and lay them flat to dry, but they wrinkle. I steam them with the JM steamer, but it's time consuming. A sweater dryer sounds like a better option.

The sweater dryer is by Hamilton Beach. I no longer have the packaging since I keep it set up in my laundry area at all times, and I didn't see a model # when I checked just now. If one of the ladies who originally recommended this doesn't see your post & respond, I'll check more carefully when I get home tonight. It has four mesh "shelves" and a piece at the back that blows cool air over the clothing. Works like a dream, and I ordered online (Amazon maybe?). Hopefully someone else will post with more specific info.

ETA I do smooth out all wrinkles when I first lay the sweaters out to dry.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

GraceCO — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 20:44:12 GMT

On 1/5/2015 shoesnbags said:
On 1/4/2015 GraceCO said:
On 1/4/2015 shoesnbags said:
I probably have over 25 whisper knits collected over the time that they have been available. All are still good as new. I turn them inside out, place each one in a mesh bag, and wash in a gentle cold water cycle with similar colors - in other words, as part of a regular load. I never use the dryer. Instead, I shake each piece out and lay flat to dry on an electric sweater dryer recommended by a couple of Linea ladies. This is what works for me.

Shoesnbags, would you please share the name of the electric sweater dryer?

I wash my WKs the same way and lay them flat to dry, but they wrinkle. I steam them with the JM steamer, but it's time consuming. A sweater dryer sounds like a better option.

The sweater dryer is by Hamilton Beach. I no longer have the packaging since I keep it set up in my laundry area at all times, and I didn't see a model # when I checked just now. If one of the ladies who originally recommended this doesn't see your post & respond, I'll check more carefully when I get home tonight. It has four mesh "shelves" and a piece at the back that blows cool air over the clothing. Works like a dream, and I ordered online (Amazon maybe?). Hopefully someone else will post with more specific info.

ETA I do smooth out all wrinkles when I first lay the sweaters out to dry.

Thank you--the brand helps. I'll check around on Amazon. I didn't know this even existed!

I'll try smoothing out the wrinkles next time I lay them out. How do you store your sweaters? I've resorted to a big no-no for knits--hanging them up. I use JM hangers, so I get a smooth line along the shoulders, but I know it's not he best way. If I roll or fold them, they are a mass of wrinkles.

Re: Washing WK sweaters

Nuttmeg — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 16:30:12 GMT

Linea's WK are not the same. It depends when you brought them. i washed a new sweater in washing machine in a pillow case. It came out with fine wrinkles. I am going to dry clean my wrinkled sweater and see what happens. I have older sweaters that wash and dry flat well.