Washing an acrylic sweater in a washing machine

Turtlenecks, cardigans and acrylic hoodies are very popular. Visually, they are very similar to wool sweaters, they are not inferior to them in softness and warmth, and their price is more pleasant. The synthetic base reduces the cost of the product and makes it easier to care for. Let's figure out whether it is allowed to wash an acrylic sweater in a washing machine, or is it better to do it by hand. We'll tell you how to prevent things from deforming and rolling.

Features of automatic washing

Most often, acrylic items can be washed in an automatic machine. To be sure of this, just study the product label. The symbols on the tag will tell you how to properly care for your sweater. Acrylic is a synthetic material and therefore does not withstand high temperatures. This is an important rule to follow. After contact with hot water, the jacket will lose its softness and may stretch or, on the contrary, decrease by a couple of sizes.

It is advisable to wash an acrylic sweater in a special mesh bag, this will help avoid deformation of the item.

Before loading the cardigan into the drum, carefully inspect the fabric. If there is heavy soiling, first soak the jacket in soapy water for 20-30 minutes. If there is a stubborn stain on the sweater, it must be removed in advance using special products.

When machine washing acrylic items, you should follow several recommendations:

• there is no need to put a lot of laundry in the drum, this can contribute to the appearance of numerous creases on the acrylic;
• washing temperature should not exceed 40°C;
• Instead of washing powder, it is advisable to use gel for washing delicate fabrics. Liquid detergents dissolve faster in cold water and are better rinsed from fibers;
• the preferred automatic mode is delicate or hand wash; you can run the “Synthetics” or “Wool” program;
• It is advisable to use a conditioner-rinse aid, it will give the sweater softness and reduce the risk of pilling on the fabric.

Sometimes, after examining the label of a sweater, you can see that it is not made from 100% synthetics, but with the addition of wool. When the product contains more than 50% artificial fibers, machine washing is usually allowed; if less, it is recommended to wash the clothes by hand.

When washing a white acrylic sweater, you can use oxygen bleach if necessary. It is important that the composition does not contain chlorine.

Traditional care

When the sweater is decorated with beads, sequins or other decor, you will have to refuse automatic washing. The same goes for cardigans with large knits - machine processing will increase the risk of deformation of the weave. Therefore, the best option would be to wash such clothes by hand. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• fill a basin with cool water (optimal washing temperature 25-30°C), add detergent for delicate fabrics;
• put the sweater in a container, wash the sleeves, cuffs, and collar area. Leave the item to soak for 15-20 minutes;
• Wash the jacket using gentle, crumpling movements;
• Rinse the cardigan several times in cold water.

Do not rub acrylic with force - this will lead to damage to the material, loss of shape and the appearance of pellets on the fabric.

When rinsing an acrylic sweater for the last time, it is advisable to add an antistatic conditioner to the water.It will soften the material, give the clothes a delicate aroma, and the item will not become “electrified” when worn.

How to carefully remove moisture from a sweater?

It is equally important to properly dry the acrylic cardigan. When washing in an automatic machine, it is allowed to wring out the sweater at minimum speed (no more than 400 per minute). It is necessary that the jacket remains slightly damp after removal from the drum.

If the item was washed by hand, it is strictly forbidden to twist it with force to get rid of excess water. This can damage synthetic fibers and stretch them. You can wrap the sweater in a terry towel and press lightly - the fabric will absorb unnecessary moisture.

To prevent an acrylic sweater from losing its shape, it is important to adhere to certain rules when drying. The product should not be laid out on heating radiators - marks may appear on the fabric, and the material is likely to shrink. It is forbidden to hang an acrylic jacket on a rope or hanger - the item will stretch.

After gently squeezing, shake the cardigan a little to straighten out the creases. Be sure to dry the item horizontally. You need to spread a dry towel on the table and put a sweater on top. Don't forget to shape the jacket - trim the hemline, straighten the collar, straighten the sleeves. This is how acrylic clothes are dried.

It is better not to iron or steam an acrylic sweater, otherwise it will easily damage the fabric. An exception is products with an admixture of cotton fibers or wool. Then ironing at a minimum degree through a layer of gauze is allowed.

Is it possible to restore a shrunken sweater?

To prevent a synthetic cardigan from shrinking, you should strictly observe the washing temperature, not exceed its maximum permissible value, and also select a gentle automatic mode. But if the sweater does shrink, there is no need to be upset; in most cases, you can return the shape of your favorite item.

Re-soaking the acrylic in cold water with the addition of a softening conditioner-rinse aid can help correct the misunderstanding. The jacket should be immersed in a basin for 15-20 minutes, then wrapped in a sheet or towel, and gently squeezed out. Then the sweater needs to be laid out on a horizontal surface and, with gentle movements, stretched evenly in all directions. While the cardigan is drying, it is necessary to stretch the material every half hour.

If possible, it is better to put on a damp, shrunken sweater and walk around in it until the item dries.

There is another, more sophisticated way to give acrylic clothing its original shape. It is necessary to prepare a solution: add shavings of laundry soap, 15 ml of turpentine and 15 ml of ammonia to the water, mix everything well. The sweater is immersed in this liquid for a day. After soaking, the cardigan is stretched and dried on the countertop, placing a terry towel under it to absorb excess moisture.

Advantages of acrylic items

Acrylic is a synthetic material that is an artificial substitute for wool. Polymer-based items provide excellent warmth, retain heat, and are much cheaper than clothing made from natural fabrics. Speaking about acrylic sweaters, it is worth noting that they:

• very soft and pleasant to the body;
• dry quickly after getting wet;
• not interested in moths and other pests;
• have high heat-saving properties;
• do not cause allergic reactions;
• With proper care, they retain their color brightness for a long time.

Acrylic fabrics also have disadvantages. Such clothes tend to stretch out and pills often appear on them. However, if you follow the rules of caring for acrylic items, they will delight their owner for a long time.

Reader comments

• Share your opinion - leave a comment