How to wash woolens in your washing machine safely: Tips from experienced homemakers |
Winter is finally here and so are all the woolens! Where it’s your favorite winter jacket or sweater or blankets—all need special care, especially while washing. These garments are made of soft fibers to keep us comfortable and warm during peak winters. It is important to note that such fabrics are sensitive to heat and harsh chemicals and expert homemakers warn against harsh washing detergents. A number of people don’t feel comfortable putting their woolens in a washing machine as they fear shrinkage or losing shape. But then, getting all woolens dry-cleaned after every wear is not possible and can be extremely expensive. So what can be done? Today, we will tell you how you can wash your woolens in your washing machine without worrying about anything. With the right approach and proper precautions, you can clean wool garments safely at home. Why your woolen needs special careFirst you need to understand how it is made. So wool is a fiber comprising small scales and natural lanolin oils. These are behind the warmth and softness of the material. But if handed roughly, these same features make wool prone to felting and shrinking. That’s the reason you’ll find several wool garments with care labels recommending machine wash, hand wash or dry cleaning only. If your wool garment is machine-washable, here are some steps to follow.Read the care label before throwing it in the washing machine
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It is essential to read the care label before tossing a wool garment into the machine. If it says “Dry Clean Only,” follow that instruction. Wool blends (like cashmere, merino, or delicate knitwear) might be safer with hand washing or specialized cleaning anyway. Choosing the correct cycle on your washing machine Then comes the cycle on your machine. Most modern washers come with different options like a “Delicate”, “Soft Fabric” and “Wool”, among others. These cycles determine gentle motion, reduced agitation, and lower spin speeds. If the machine lacks a specific cycle, use the cold water for washing the wool because hot water can open up fibers and cause shrinkage and felting.
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Namrata Thakkar, a homemaker from Noida, said once during a cold winter day, she washed all her good and costly woolen garments in hot water. When she got them out of the washer, she realised some of the garments had shrunk. For her, it was her first and last lesson!Therefore, gentle or hand-wash cycles do not cause harm. Always use wool-friendly detergent
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“I wash all my winter clothes, even my mink blankets in my washing machine”, said Sia Singh who lives in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. “We rarely see the sun here during peak winters, so all our clothes are washed and dried in the machine. But I am very careful while washing my jackets and blankets. I only use soft and wool-only fabric liquid detergents which keep my garments fresh and new.” Regular laundry detergents are hard and often too harsh for wool. So it’s advisable to use wool-friendly mild detergent.Tips from experienced homemakersSmriti Sikha, who runs a laundry service in Bengaluru, advises to avoid bleach and fabric softeners entirely when washing woolens as these can reduce elasticity of the garment. Anita Thapa from Uttrakhand’s Dehradoon suggests washing costly woolens in mesh laundry bags or pillowcases. It is because even on gentle cycles, the garments rub against each other or the machine drum, which can cause stretching, or distortion. Wash all your wool items separately. Don’t mix them with heavy denims or bulky towels. Avoid overloading the machineDon’t high spin and heat dry
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High spin speeds can stretch out wool fibers and distort the garment’s shape. Choose a low or no spin setting whenever possible. Put them on a drying rack instead of using the dryer, whose heat can cause shrinkage. Tips for specific itemsHeavy blankets and jackets/coats: It is recommended to use front-load washers for better balance; roll bulky items to maintain balance before washing. Fine knits and cashmere blends: Always use mesh bags to wash premium fabrics.With these tips and tricks, you can easily wash your woolen garments in your washing machine. But make sure that the garment is machine wash approved, read the care label before doing anything.
