How to wash woolen items in a washing machine: is it possible, at what temperature, how correctly, in what water, manually, in what mode, the better, so as not to prick, what powder

Clothes made of wool help us get through the cold season because they are warm, cozy and at the same time practical. Washing delicate wool items in a washing machine may damage them. Therefore, many people spend a lot of time washing such items by hand.

But is it necessary to take such measures in order to preserve the appearance and main properties of your favorite clothes? We will tell you how to wash woolen items in a washing machine so that they retain their original appearance as much as possible and keep you warm for many more winters.

Preparing for washing

Before you start washing wool items, prepare the item. In this case, preliminary preparation for washing clothes plays an important role.

Before washing woolen items, do not be lazy and go through the following preparation steps:

Read the short instructions on the labels. Remember that natural fiber products differ from each other, and therefore there is no standard rule for caring for and washing them. You will only learn how to properly wash, dry and iron each woolen item by reading the recommendations on the tag, and if they are not enough for you to get the full picture. It is important to know at least the exact composition of the product in order to take advantage of additional sources of knowledge.
In a room with good lighting (preferably daylight), before washing woolen clothes, examine sweaters, sweaters, hats, etc. for contamination. If you find them, treat the problem areas with ordinary peroxide (bought at the pharmacy) or kitchen vinegar. These solutions are absolutely safe for natural delicate fibers.
Before putting your sweater or hat in the washing machine, where you will wash it by hand, turn the item inside out and check its integrity. If you find even the smallest defects, wait a little while washing and, if possible, correct them. Then it will be easier to wash. Otherwise, after any washing, or even rinsing, if there is the slightest hole, the item may become deformed, or the size of the defect on it will increase.

Don’t forget that although all modern devices have a “Wool” mode, you can only find out whether a particular wool item can be washed in a machine after you study its composition and recommendations on the labels.

Soak

There is a category of clothing that can only be cleaned by soaking.

Before you start washing woolen items by hand, here are some guidelines:

Organize things by color. Please note that some products may fade. If you doubt whether it is possible to soak colored woolen items with dark-dyed ones, then you can check this yourself. Place the product that is in doubt in a separate basin, fill it with warm water no higher than 30°C and add a little special detergent. If the item sheds, the water will become colored. Always soak white clothes separately.
Fill a container with cold or lukewarm water (up to 30°C). There should be a lot of water, because the products absorb it strongly. For example, a camel wool jacket should be washed only in a large 40-liter bowl, and preferably in a half-filled bathtub (standard size). The thicker and denser the item, the more liquid it will absorb and the easier it is to wash. If there is not enough water, the clothes will not stretch properly.
Before hand washing wool, leave the items in a solution of water and detergent. To do this, use only special gels or ordinary hair shampoo (if the clothes are not very dirty and just need to be refreshed). Do not under any circumstances use regular powder unless it clearly states that it is intended for such things.
Here's a tip on how to properly wash wool socks. Pre-shake the items and distribute them by color, then treat the soles (the dirtiest part) with detergent and place them in a container with cold water for several hours.
Many people are interested in the question: is it possible to wash woolen items in a washing machine after soaking? Yes. This is why there is a Wool washing mode, which, by the way, involves soaking. Therefore, if you initially planned to send your clothes to an automatic cleaning device, but there are no heavy stains on them (stains from soil, paint or corrosive odors), you can skip the soaking step. Your machine can handle this on its own.
There is no need to soak sheep's wool before washing it. Immediately send the product to the machine, but without “Spin”.

Secrets of experienced housewives

Since ancient times, women have figured out how to wash wool items using folk methods, without using powders and gels. There are three common and time-tested recipes:

prepare a decoction from 1 kg of white beans in 5 liters of water, cool to 45 degrees and soak clothes - effective for minor stains;
make a decoction of potatoes - suitable for washing blankets with serious types of stains;
Grind the mustard powder under running water, strain and soak clothes in one half for 10 minutes, wash with your hands and rinse in the remaining solution.

Important! It is worth excluding the use of laundry soap, as it consists of fatty acids and a large amount of alkalis, which destroy natural fibers.

By adhering to the above rules and recommendations, even the most inexperienced housewife can handle caring for woolen items. If you still have doubts about your abilities, then you shouldn’t take risks, but it’s better to trust the professionals and take your clothes to the dry cleaner.

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How to wash wool in an automatic washing machine

The easiest way to wash woolen items is with a machine. If you decide to wash wool in a washing machine, you don’t need to think about what temperature it is best to do it at. The machine will not overheat the water above the permissible norm and will not soak things for too long.

Last but not least, the benefit of washing in a machine is that it saves you time.

Let's look at the features of such washing using the example of different products made from natural yarn of animal origin:

Many housewives are interested in whether it is possible to wash a blanket or blanket made of sheep wool in the “automatic” mode. Of course, such products require a special approach and some of them will not deteriorate only if they are washed by hand or in an institution where clothes are cleaned without washing, using special substances. But most blankets can be washed using an automatic machine. Choose from Delicates, Hand Wash or Wool, add detergent and throw the blanket in the machine. It is advisable to deactivate “Spin” or set the minimum number of revolutions.
The process of washing a wool blanket in a washing machine is simple. Send the product to the appliance without pre-soaking, add a little gel or shampoo to the cleaning agent container and set the “Delicate Wash” program. In this mode, the temperature is low and the number of revolutions for push-ups is minimal.
You can wash items made from sheep wool in a machine. These are relatively simple things. Place the item in the drum, add powder and program it to wash in the “Wool” mode. Before pressing “Start”, turn off “Spin”.
Before you start washing your socks in the washing machine, sort them out. Under no circumstances should white socks be washed together with dark ones. Even if the dyed yarn does not fade, light lint may remain on black socks and vice versa. Sorting clothes by color is a standard rule for all types of fabric and for any type of washing. Add gel (for items not contaminated with shampoo) and program the unit to wash wool.
Before you start washing your camel hair down jacket, remove any dirt from it using a stain remover, then turn it inside out and zip it up. Next, send it to the car. Remember, the jacket needs a lot of space, so don't put other clothes in the drum at the same time.

General rules

Washing wool products is a responsible process, and therefore it requires compliance with the basic axioms:

The main rule on how to wash woolen items so that they do not shrink is to comply with the temperature norm. Basically, such clothes are washed at a temperature not exceeding 35°C;
Another recommendation on how to properly wash wool is to use a suitable cleaning agent. Use only gels, special powders marked “For Wool” or shampoo.
For clothes made from natural fiber, there are also special rinsing agents that help preserve their appearance and basic properties.
Bulky items need a lot of space. For example, in order to properly wash a jacket with camel hair, there should be no other things in the machine besides it.

Homemade solutions for washing wool

Dry mustard.

It is used when washing wool products. To do this you need to mix 1 tbsp. mustard powder and 1 liter of water, avoiding the formation of lumps. The solution must be left for two to three hours. For light stains, one wash is enough. The washed item must be rinsed thoroughly, adding a couple of drops of ammonia at the end. This will make the item softer.

Beans.

More precisely, the water in which the beans were soaked is suitable for washing woolen items. You will need 1 liter of water and 200 g of beans. The beans must be boiled until tender, then drain the water and strain through a strainer or cheesecloth. Pour the prepared liquid into a basin and beat the foam, after which the item is washed. Then rinse thoroughly, adding 1 tbsp. vinegar per liter of water.

Potato.

Ordinary potatoes must be peeled and grated on a fine grater.
The resulting juice must be squeezed out and added to the washing container, which already contains warm water. Then you need to make foam and wash the item. After washing, the material is rinsed 2-3 times with the addition of vinegar. IMPORTANT! This method is not suitable for washing white wool items.

Chestnuts.

The core must be ground into powder; for one wash you will need 3-5 pieces. You need to know that the peel can stain things.

White woolen items can be bleached with chalk. You will need to dilute 1 kg of chalk in 3-4 liters of water and soak the item there for 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time. Then the product is thoroughly rinsed and squeezed.

In addition, hydrogen peroxide, which is considered a homemade stain remover, can help. You will need 1 tsp. Dilute peroxide in 1 liter of water and soak the item there, then wash it.

How to wash a wool coat

Needless to say, before washing a wool coat, you should study the label on it. Today, in addition to wool, other raw materials are used to make such products.

Please note that the more wool there is in the fabric, the less chance you have of maintaining the shape of your favorite coat using an automatic machine.

Do not neglect the basic principles of how to wash a coat made of wool:

Temperature up to 30°C;
Turn off spin;
Use only those cleaners that are intended for woolen products;
Program the device for “Hand Wash”.

Program description

The program is significantly different from others. Its main parameters:

drum rotation speed is reduced to a minimum;
the temperature does not rise above 30-40 oC;

water is supplied in large quantities;
the spin is weak or completely absent.

Some machines have an extra rinse option. The increased volume of liquid allows for more thorough removal of powder residues. Reduced heating temperature promotes better color retention. The average cycle duration is 1 hour.

Are you using citric acid?

Oh yes! No

The speed of program execution depends on the following factors:

unit models;
water pressure in the tap;
voltage in the electrical network;
degree of pollution;

load level;
selected temperature mode;
availability of options for additional soaking, rinsing, spinning.

Often in the instructions, the manufacturer stipulates the permissible load, which is no more than half of the weight recommended for other cases. There are devices that have two separate buttons for different temperatures. They are marked accordingly on the control panel.

Table with hand wash sign

During operation, the drum moves from side to side slowly and smoothly. This ensures safety and prevents stretching and deformation. The spin option is often absent, or it occurs at minimum speed.

If there is a sign on the label that prohibits such an operation, then the function can be disabled. To do this, use the buttons or sensor to select the “No spin” option.

How to wash a wool blanket

Hand washing a blanket made of sheep wool is quite difficult, because the product can weigh several kilograms, and if it absorbs water, it becomes too heavy to lift. Therefore, many housewives wonder whether it is possible to wash a sheep wool blanket in a washing machine? If you follow the recommendations.

There are important points to consider:

Your machine must be designed for at least 5 kg of laundry.
Set the appliance to the "Delicate" program before washing your sheepskin blanket. This is very important, because it requires a low temperature and a minimum number of revolutions.
Use only gel, shampoo or powder designed for natural fiber items.
Before cleaning your sheep's wool blanket with a machine, do not soak it to prevent it from becoming very heavy.

Blankets made from natural sheep wool are easy and quick to wash in the washing machine. Follow the above recommendations on how to wash items so that they retain their shape and do not reload the machine.

Detergents for wool products

If you do not have the desire or time to use folk remedies, then in the store you can purchase a ready-made product suitable specifically for wool.
Gel for woolen items “Organics Wool” - suitable for machine and hand washing. It contains no phosphates, has protective and softening properties, removes odors and disinfects.
Washing gel for black fabrics “Black Line Feinwaschmittel” is excellent for wool of dark shades and perfectly fights dirt and stains.
Sonnet is an organic gel for washing wool and silk. The composition contains natural olive soap, which gives the wool elasticity and is gentle. Can be washed in a washing machine or by hand, hypoallergenic.
Liquid "Denkmit Wollwaschlotion" - has a soft effect, smoothes fibers, restores the protective layer and structure of fabrics. The main thing is to follow the instructions for use.
“Eared Nanny” conditioner for children's laundry (for woolen items with cashmere) - has a softening effect on clothes, eliminates static electricity, and can be used to prevent the appearance of pilling. Suitable for people prone to allergies, pregnant women and children.
“Vanish Oxi Action” stain remover - contains active oxygen, which copes well with stains on woolen items, preserving their color. Suitable for both white and colored linen.

Drying woolen items

In order for your warm and soft clothes to be worn for a long time, maintaining their appearance and properties, it is important not only to know in what water you can wash them, but also how to dry woolen items.

Do not forget that even if you follow all the recommendations for manual or automatic cleaning, the item may become deformed if you do not apply the basic rules for drying delicate items:

If you know how to properly hand wash woolen items and prefer this type of cleaning, do not wring out the item as hard as you can. Leave the clothes on the tray to drain. Press it lightly, but do not twist it as hard as you can (this will stretch and wrinkle it). Moisture must remain so that there are no wrinkles.
Before drying a woolen item, regardless of which method you have previously chosen for washing, lay the item on a large towel and twirl the roller. There is no need to press or twist it.
Clothes made from natural yarn should only be dried by laying them out on a horizontal surface. Otherwise, all efforts to preserve the shape of your favorite clothes during cleaning will be in vain. Find a flat area and place the product on it, after a while turn it over.
After drying, shake the item slightly, this will make it softer and return to its shape faster.

Hand wash mode

Modern technology is versatile. Manufacturers have provided the possibility of using automatic devices when extremely careful handling is required. If there is a symbol on the label with the image of a hand in a basin, then such clothes can be washed by hand.

If there is a special program, it is permissible to use a washing unit. Manual mode is set if there is a sign on the label prohibiting machine processing.

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This approach significantly saves time, preserves the original quality of materials, bringing them to an impeccably clean state. Textiles are washed carefully and quickly, although the contact time with water is minimal.

Selected “hand wash” mode on the panel

A few tricks

Before washing woolen items in a washing machine or by hand, learn some tricks that will help make the process easier and preserve the properties of these clothes:

Better than washing delicate woolen items (angora, alpaca, etc.)? For them, you should not use powder that contains a lot of alkali. After drying, the product may become harsh, and you can even feel the residue of the cleaning product on your skin. Regular hair shampoo is perfect. Soak the item in it, then rinse at least 4 times.
Even the most unpretentious product made from natural fiber will shrink if you overdo it with the water temperature. We have already mentioned how to wash woolen items by hand or in a machine to prevent them from shrinking. If the clothes are dirty, it is better to pre-treat them with peroxide, lemon powder, mustard water or vinegar, but do not clean them with high temperature.
All types of woolen clothing can be soaked in warm water. Add a little soda (2 tablespoons) or vinegar. Ammonia also works well as a softener.

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How to wash a jacket in a washing machine

Advice from professionals

Washing in potato broth will help soften a wool sweater:

To do this, place a kilogram of peeled or brushed potatoes in a 10-liter bucket of water;
drain the boiled water and cool to 40 degrees (the temperature is checked with your elbow, which can comfortably withstand a temperature of 36–40 degrees);
after washing the product in the machine, rinse it in this broth;
dry in natural conditions on a flat horizontal surface;
Brush the sweater with a soft brush to create a low, even pile.

And a few more tips:

Before washing, remove all accessories if they can damage the product or cause a change in its color;
on the blouse, use a regular seam through the top to sew up the button holes to prevent the product from being pulled out in these places;
try not to wash the wool for a long time; it should not be in water for more than 40 minutes;
If you are not sure about the quality of wool dyeing, then cut a small piece of thread from the inside and soak it in warm water . After this, wrap and dry with a light cotton cloth. This is a color fastness test. If there are no marks left on the fabric, then everything is in order - the wool does not shed;
Do not place things made of angora, alpaca, or mohair in an automatic machine. If dry cleaning is not possible, wash them very carefully by hand.

How to dry knitted items correctly

Knitted items should not be twisted. You need to put the item in the sink and let the water drain. You can squeeze it lightly with your hands.

After ten minutes, you can lay the item on a terry towel and roll it into a roll. This will absorb moisture into the towel.

After washing, knitted items should also be dried on a laid out towel. This can be done outdoors or in a dry room, but not in bright sun.

How to rinse knitted items after washing

Woolen knitted items must be rinsed especially thoroughly. The washing powder remaining in the wool spoils the structure of the threads. The wool sticks together and the item looks washed out.

Therefore, knitted items must be rinsed at least three times.

When rinsing, you can add wool conditioner to the water. The knitted item will become softer and more pleasant.

You can make your own conditioner for knitted items. To do this, dissolve two teaspoons of glycerin in ten liters of warm water. Knitted items should be rinsed in this solution during the final rinse.