Washing a knitted cardigan in the washing machine

A knitted cardigan is present in every woman’s wardrobe, helping to look stylish and keep warm in the cold. The main thing is to wash the product on time, following all the rules and recommendations. Otherwise, the elongated jumper will either be dirty and unattractive, or simply will not survive washing. It remains to figure out whether it is possible to wash a knitted cardigan in a washing machine or whether it is better to clean it “the old fashioned way” by hand. All answers, nuances and sequence are given below.

We act according to the instructions

There is no single instruction for all wool cardigans - it all depends on the color and composition of the material. While a product knitted from artificial or combined fibers can be machine washed, natural items cannot withstand such a test. Thus, jumpers containing up to 20% wool can easily survive both rotation in a drum and high temperatures. Clothes marked “100%” in water will either stretch or shrink, and not just one or two sizes, but to the size of a doll’s or giant’s wardrobe.

Before washing a cardigan, read the label - there should be no symbols prohibiting wet cleaning.

In order not to take risks, you should not act at random, but strictly follow the instructions on the product label. On the tag, the manufacturer must indicate the optimal cleaning conditions: type of wash, water heating temperature, maximum spin and other parameters. If there are no prohibiting symbols on the label, then there are no special restrictions.

But in addition to factory restrictions, it is worth remembering the standard “prohibitions” for all woolen items. The first of these is washing as rarely as possible.So, if the item smells unpleasant, but does not have external stains, then it is not necessary to take the powder, just hang the cardigan out in the fresh air and ventilate it. The second point concerns soaking, which is contraindicated for knitted clothes. Third, the most favorable temperature for mating is 30-35 degrees, and sudden changes are undesirable.

When cleaning a wool cardigan, you should also consider a few more important nuances:

• only gel detergents are used, designed specifically for wool and delicate fabrics (dry mixtures dissolve less well in cold water and get stuck in the fibers);
• You can use regular shampoo;
• It is advisable to add conditioner or rinse aid;
• to combat pellets, special balls are placed in the drum;
• select the “Wool”, “Delicate wash” or “Hand” mode;
• automatic drying is turned off;
• spin is reduced to a minimum, ideally to zero;
• Before loading into the drum, the cardigan is turned inside out and placed in a special protective bag.

If there are stains on the cardigan, they are removed before loading into the drum. As a rule, it is enough to treat the affected area of ​​​​the material with laundry soap and rub with a sponge. If your light coat turns yellow, you can use lemon juice.

It is not recommended to wring out knitted items. The maximum is to carefully press the material, removing moisture from the fibers. Afterwards, the cardigan is hung on hangers to allow water to drain freely, and then laid out on a flat surface covered with a dry terry towel. For drying, choose a ventilated room or balcony. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as ultraviolet light discolors and destroys the fibers.

If the machine is no good

Washing a cardigan in a machine is easier and faster, but hand washing is still preferable and safer. Do not forget that excessive rotation or temperature changes can damage the product: it will shrink or stretch. When cleaning the hair on her hands, the housewife has complete control over the process. The knitted jumper is extremely easy to wash on your hands.

1. Fill the basin with warm water.
2. Dissolve the detergent in water and foam it.
3. We wash the stains first.
4. Place the cardigan in water and wash it with light pressing and squeezing.

Rinsing is carried out in several stages, the water is changed until transparent, and at the last time rinse aid is added. Dry the jumper in a vertical position in a ventilated place without exposure to direct ultraviolet radiation.

Should I use an iron?

Ironing and a wool cardigan don't mix. It is better not to risk the fibers, and if creases occur, hang the jumper next to pots of boiling water or in the bath while taking a shower. High humidity and hot steam will quickly and safely smooth the product.

Sometimes the manufacturer allows ironing, as indicated by the icon on the label. But you should understand that the iron heats up to a minimum temperature and is kept at a distance of 2-3 cm from the item. Direct contact between the fabric and the sole will result in deformation and damage to the fibers.

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