topic Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ?? in Today's Special Value

Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

DM Tiara — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 19:59:32 GMT

How anyone tried washing their ARAN IRISH MERINO WOOL SWEATERS (previously purchased) in cold water and Woolite ?? If so what happened? Thank you !!!

I only enjoy sweaters cleaned in soap and water. Wondering how much tightening and loss of quality in the wool and knit, would happen?

All Irish Blessings to all !! DM Tiara

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

ennui1 — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:13:24 GMT

Ah, there's nothing quite like the smell of wet wool. It's right up there with wet dog.

Wool doesn't need to be washed often. If you hang it in fresh air, it will revive. It's something about the lanolin, it repels dirt and smells.

I have washed wool sweaters, but they take a long time to dry. Lay flat, flip, etc.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

flamingo111 — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:26:20 GMT

I have only had my sweaters dry cleaned and they came out very nice. I don't have to do it often, once a year.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

BellaPaprika — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:30:53 GMT

They advise ""dry clean only"". I would take their advice.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

ennui1 — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:32:29 GMT

I did have one wool sweater shrink to comical proportions.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

Bhvbum — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:48:56 GMT

I learned a lesson, I washed a natural merino Irish sweater last year after having it drycleaned for a couple of years. I could not BELIEVE HOW DIRTY THE WATER WAS! After that I have washed every merino sweater I have bought. Cool water, handwash in the washer, tumble dry for about 5 min, lay flat to dry. Same for all the cashmere from QVC. I can't figure how someone managed to shrink one of these. Regular deterg and fabric softener. All come out perfect, I will never get something drycleaned that I can wash so easy.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

Kachina624 — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:56:42 GMT

Just be sure to use cold water...hot water will cause them to shrink and ""felt"".

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

HandJive — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:58:46 GMT

I put a ton of time into knitting wool sweaters, hats, scarfs and such. I use Eucalan to care for them. Click on the how-to tab on the website for care instructions. Anywhere local that sells knitting yarn should carry it, or order from Amazon as I do.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

RedTop — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:05:30 GMT

If I invested that much money in a wool sweater that I expected to last for many years, I would dry clean only.

Last month, my daughter washed a beautiful sweater she had just purchased from Coldwater Creek in mild soap and cold water on the delicate cycle. When she took that sweater out of the washer, it looked like something she would have worn when she was 6 years old. We both just stared at that sweater with our mouths wide open. She contacted the store where she bought it and they asked her to bring it back to them, and she was able to replace it with the exact sweater in the same color. Many of those sweaters had been returned for the exact same reason, and the store clerks seemed to think the wrong instruction tag had been sewn into the sweater. My daughter said she would take no chances, and would stick to dry cleaning anything she's unsure of.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

jackthebear — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:38:37 GMT

On 3/17/2014 kathoderay said:
I put a ton of time into knitting wool sweaters, hats, scarfs and such. I use Eucalan to care for them. Click on the how-to tab on the website for care instructions. Anywhere local that sells knitting yarn should carry it, or order from Amazon as I do.

I was also going to post Eucalan, it is the very best for washing wools it doesn't need to be rinsed out. (are you on Ravelry?)

Merino can easily be washed, sheep get wet.

I wash all my sweaters, garment bag in the delicate cycle and sometimes I even use a gasp hanger!! to dry them. (one of those that has shoulder shapes)

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

ellietoo — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 22:51:54 GMT

My teenage daughter somehow got a hold of two of my favorite (they are all favorites but I liked these a lot) Irish wool sweaters, put them in the washer and dryer! It was a sad day. They are now at least two sizes too small although I must say they look very wearable. Not nearly as nice but not as bad as I would have thought.

You can buy the home dry cleaning kits for a quick cleaning but if you have a really soiled sweater it is best to dry clean it.

All the sweaters I have seen say dry clean only and I really think that is the best way to care for them. It's really not that expensive and if you take care of them between wearings you won't have to do it very often.

When I take one off I just fold it up and put it back in the storage container that I keep them in. I usually only wear them in the winter when it is really cold. Sometimes I wear one under my coat for better insulation against the cold. I love good wool. It is so wonderful to have during the kind of winter we are still going through!

You can buy the home dry cleaning kits to use for quick clean ups but if you have a really soiled sweater it is best to dry clean it.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

Deadeye Daisy — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:03:22 GMT

Have a number of cashmere and merino wool (Aran knits and others) items. They ALL get laundered in the machine. Front loader. Cool water. I use either Orvus or liquified Quick 'n Brite. PH neutral, and neither makes suds, so they rinse clean easily. (I use the same cleaner for my suede items and the cats).

I put each garment into it's own bag before putting in the washer. Eliminates the possibility of any snags from washer drum. My older front loader has a 'hand wash' cycle.

To dry, I lay out on a rack. For only one sweater, I often use the shelf in my dryer and the 'no-heat' cycle. Sometimes, when sweaters are almost dry, I will tumble for a few minutes. No fabric softener, as that tends to attract dirt and dust.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

chumlee_ — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:08:41 GMT

On 3/17/2014 jackthebear said:
On 3/17/2014 kathoderay said:
I put a ton of time into knitting wool sweaters, hats, scarfs and such. I use Eucalan to care for them. Click on the how-to tab on the website for care instructions. Anywhere local that sells knitting yarn should carry it, or order from Amazon as I do.

I was also going to post Eucalan, it is the very best for washing wools it doesn't need to be rinsed out. (are you on Ravelry?)

Merino can easily be washed, sheep get wet.

I wash all my sweaters, garment bag in the delicate cycle and sometimes I even use a gasp hanger!! to dry them. (one of those that has shoulder shapes)

Another vote for Eucalon! It is fabulous - I've washed wool sweaters, cashmere, cotton, you name it! I order on Amazon in the lavender scent. Has anyone tried eucalyptus? cheers

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

cairnlover — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:10:52 GMT

I only dry clean these sweaters. I wouldn't chance it!

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:16:35 GMT

On 3/17/2014 Deadeye Daisy said:
Have a number of cashmere and merino wool (Aran knits and others) items. They ALL get laundered in the machine. Front loader. Cool water. I use either Orvus or liquified Quick 'n Brite. PH neutral, and neither makes suds, so they rinse clean easily. (I use the same cleaner for my suede items and the cats).

I put each garment into it's own bag before putting in the washer. Eliminates the possibility of any snags from washer drum. My older front loader has a 'hand wash' cycle.

To dry, I lay out on a rack. For only one sweater, I often use the shelf in my dryer and the 'no-heat' cycle. Sometimes, when sweaters are almost dry, I will tumble for a few minutes. No fabric softener, as that tends to attract dirt and dust.

I do that with sweaters I've had a while, but I'm not brave enough to do it with my newest sweaters.

When I hand wash, I use luke warm water and All Free Clear detergent.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

Barbgee — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:27:39 GMT

I bought a Merino wool sweater form QVC several years ago. Very nice but it pilled badly what can I do with it. Wonder if the cleaners can fix it!!

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:34:45 GMT

On 3/17/2014 BlueCollarBabe said:
They advise "dry clean only". I would take their advice.

That's an unnecessary expense. Knitters make cabled sweaters with wool all the time and we use the washing instructions that come with the yarn. I've not seen a wool yarn that came with dry cleaning instructions unless it was a special one, like a very delicate mohair (most mohair yarns are hand wash), angora, or some cashmeres. Long angora fibers can get knotted up and matted. The wool used for Aran sweaters should all be hand washable.

The downside is that they need to be dried flat and that takes a long time. If you're in a humid climate or don't have a well ventilated area for it to lay out and dry, then you might want to dry clean it. I've never had to do that with a sweater or any of the things I've knit. If it's cold out and you have the heat on, that usually helps it along pretty well, but I never wash a wool sweater within 24 hours of the day I plan to wear it and usually give myself a 48 hour window.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

rac71 — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 06:13:50 GMT

You can use Woolite, or baby shampoo, or ivory snow, or a variety of products designed for knitwear that are no-rinse (Eucalan Soak, etc.). The advantages of the no-rinse are: 1) less likelihood of agitating the garment, which can cause felting; 2) these products often contain lanolin to restore and protect fibers; and 3) no-rinse fiber washes often contain essential oils designed to act as natural insect repellents. When I use Eucalan or Soak, I buy the unfragranced varieties. The lower level of essential oils means I'm less likely to have a fragrance reaction. My friend washes all her handwash handknits in baby shampoo and has no issues. Wash the garment i tepid water, following the fiber wash directions. If using Woolite, use LESS than the recommended capful, gently squeeze out the water, and roll the sweater in a towel before you set it to dry. This will help absorb excess water without felting the fibers. You may want to flip the garment over every 4-12 hours while it is drying to help keep it from developing a permanent "wet wool" smell. If it is drying on a towel, change the towel periodically. No matter what, do not use heat. It's a good idea to learn how to do this properly by hand. Only wash by machine if you are willing to sacrifice the sweater. The agitator post is guaranteed to wreck it.

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

DM Tiara — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 02:39:15 GMT

I am so very grateful to ALL of you sweet, kind ladies, who responded to my question !!!

Can't tell you how much I appreciate your time, and details, so generously shared. I just had major surgery otherwise, I would be naming each one of you, in my thank you.

I will be following lots of great advice, given so wisely, herein.

Blessings to each one of you!

DM Tiara

Re: Washing Irish Merino wool sweaters - advice please ?? Woolite/cold water ??

lianne — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 03:48:50 GMT

I wash all my sweaters--merino, cashmere and my Arans in cold water with woolite on the delicate cycle. Never once had a problem