Laundry: how can I wash a 100% merino wool sweater?

[Pandamonium]

So the tag instructs me to wash by hand and dry it on a flat surface/rack. The other option is dry cleaning it.

Now I don't even have the facilities to do hand washing at school, nor do I have the inclination to dry clean it. I'm pretty sure I could get away with throwing it in a washing machine on a delicate cycle, but what if I did tumble dry low? One of the store reps said it could shrink, and my mother has always strictly followed the instructions. Has anyone any experience with this stuff? (I'd previously been able to just bring home all my laundry, but it looks like I'll be at school for the next 12 months...)

[SchrodingersDog]

woolite

[iamme]

i'd just dryclean it.

i've had people bring in shrunken merino wool sweaters, asking if we could stretch them.

if you insist on washing it at home, maybe you could skip the dryer? that's what usually shrinks clothes.

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
So the tag instructs me to wash by hand and dry it on a flat surface/rack. The other option is dry cleaning it.

Now I don't even have the facilities to do hand washing at school, nor do I have the inclination to dry clean it. I'm pretty sure I could get away with throwing it in a washing machine on a delicate cycle, but what if I did tumble dry low? One of the store reps said it could shrink, and my mother has always strictly followed the instructions. Has anyone any experience with this stuff? (I'd previously been able to just bring home all my laundry, but it looks like I'll be at school for the next 12 months...)

woolite in the sink.

washing wool and god forbid putting it in a dryer will be the end of that garment.

[FoBoT]

if you put that into the dryer, it will never fit onto you again

[Nutdotnet]

Hand Wash it man...I know that sweater was expensive...why ruin it on account of you being a lazy b1tch?

Most delicate cycles are a load of crap...I machine wash mine because my washer has a "handwash" cycle. It agitiates for 5-10 seconds on slow...stops for a minute...etc.....spin cycle is slow too.

If you decide to machine wash it....you'd probably be OK if you did it on the delicate cycle with COLD water (use woolite and a liquid fabric softener)....COLD only. And yes, LAY FLAT TO DRY. DO NOT TUMBLE DRY.

Dry clean it. It's more convenient, though it might cost a couple bucks more.

[Pandamonium]

Heh. This is like the gift that just keeps giving!
I have to admit, it's really soft and fits me nicely.

[RaiderJ]

I always use delicate cycle w/ cold water, and then tumble dry on no heat. I figure if it kills the sweater, I didn't need it anyway.

[Kelvrick]

Sigh. Just made me remember coming back from the holidays with the fmaily to find out the gf machine washed and dryed my wool sweater. This is the second one thats been ruined too. First one was done by my mom. I've given up and just bought a cotton replacement.

Otherwise,Try Dryel.

[HardcoreRobot]

after reading this thread, i am very much wanting to put a sheep in the dryer

[jjones]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
after reading this thread, i am very much wanting to put a sheep in the dryer

ROFL :beer:

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
after reading this thread, i am very much wanting to put a sheep in the dryer

OMG YOU COULD MANUFACTURE POCKET SHEEPEN!

[sciencewhiz]

You have a sink, right? (even if it's in the bathroom down the hall). Therefore you have the facilities to hand wash it.

[MySoS]

I bought a friend a kashmere sweater for christmas, she forgot you can't wash and dry kashmere at home. She destroyed the sweater a month later. Aww, it cost me $150.

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
So the tag instructs me to wash by hand and dry it on a flat surface/rack. The other option is dry cleaning it.

Now I don't even have the facilities to do hand washing at school, nor do I have the inclination to dry clean it. I'm pretty sure I could get away with throwing it in a washing machine on a delicate cycle, but what if I did tumble dry low? One of the store reps said it could shrink, and my mother has always strictly followed the instructions. Has anyone any experience with this stuff? (I'd previously been able to just bring home all my laundry, but it looks like I'll be at school for the next 12 months...)

If you chuck it in the washing machine with a regular detergent, you will probably completely destroy it. It will shrink or stretch totally out of shape, and the quality of the fibres iwll be fvcked. (Even if you use delicate cycle). You need a detergent made specifically for woollens. It should have that special Woolmark logo on it. You have to use cold water, as well. I'd do it by hand, in the sink, it's not like you need to scrub it much. Otherwise, dry clean it. Or send it in the mail to your mother.

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
Heh. This is like the gift that just keeps giving!
I have to admit, it's really soft and fits me nicely.

A beautifully fitting woollen sweater is one of life's great pleasures.

[imported_Snagle]

merino woll is teh 1337, smartwool socks are made of merino wool

[freesia39]

hand wash it, dry clean it, or else you might as well just throw that sweater out. almost anything else will destroy it.