He's just ruined a third sweater

[Timeforausernamechange]

I don't have many clothes. I tend to have a few things that I like and wear them a lot until they completely wear out. I hate shopping and don't have a massive budget for stuff. I like reasonable quality though, especially in jumpers- decent wool etc. So jumpers tend to be gifts or lucky finds in the Monsoon sale...

Anyway DH has form for 'accidentally' washing/ tumble drying my hand wash only stuff. Twice he has taken my favourite jumper and ruined it. One was a gorgeous silk chunky hand knit ( hugely expensive) which was a present from a generous relative. The next was the replacement for that sweater which I'd worn twice (and a gift from his DM!)

Now he has done it again. My latest jumper has got 'mixed up' with the kids stuff and tumble dried. The lovely flattering shape now finishes just above my waist and the sleeves are skin tight. We are are going away tomorrow and I have nothing to replace it with except a collection of crappy old fleeces ( which will I suppose keep me warm).

Any suggestions on how I can stop this happening? I am not going to ban DH from laundry duty and I am not going to wear only indestructible woolies. I generally try to keep my things separate but he can be over zealous rounding up things to make up a load...

Failing that any suggestions on how to ram it home to him how much this pisses me off and how expensive his lack of care is becoming.

[Esssa]

Make him buy you a replacement every time he ruins one through his carelessness. It will either get expensive for him or he may actually learn not to do it. In my book you damage something, you replace it

[BravoPanda]

Get your own washing basket and do your own delicates. Not really rocket science.

[Daisyfrumps]

Shitto. Make a pile of your handwash-only stuff on top of the wardrobe.

[Petalbird]

If he's anything like my DP learning is not possible. I have told mine he can only wash what's in the basket and nothing else without asking. I then hand wash my items as soon as there dirty or hang them in the wardrobe

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

Oh god, I hate to say it but I think you need to do your own washing. Sorry but I can't see how else to avoid this happening again when he's repeatedly fucking it up.

[quirkychick]

I have a separate basket in the bedroom for delicates, completely away from the main washing.

[chitofftheshovel]

Make him wear said jumpers for a day, the shame should change his imputneous washing ways.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

BUt OP says he's rounding things up, so it might not even BE in the laundry basket and he's still putting it in the wash. He's a flipping adult, he should be able to understand that nice wool jumpers don't get lobbed in the tumble dryer

[mineofuselessinformation]

Wash all of his things with a new yellow duster. Then tell him it got 'mixed up'....

[user1471517900]

I doubt he's doing it deliberately like the OP implies mind you. Unless he really doesn't like wool for some reason.

[msrisotto]

I always keep my delicates in a separate bag from other laundry for this reason (except i'm the one to shrink stuff).

[Spudlet]

He knackered it, he replaces it.

Reading the fucking washing instructions isn't hard

[Itrynotto]

I hide my things,I don't want him to wash.

[Itrynotto]

Please excuse rogue comma.

[RandomMess]

I keep my hand wash things in their own basket, he does all other washing though

[HermioneJeanGranger]

He needs to replace stuff he ruins. It's not hard to check the label if you're not sure.

[littledinaco]

If I've got anything that's hand-wash, I put it in a separate bit in the wardrobe as soon as I take it off. Then wash when I've got a few bits to do together/when I get round to it.

I've had the same thing happen as you and now I don't risk things getting mixed up. DH does all the washing and I feel it's enough of a hassle him sorting mine and DC clothes out without having to remember which things of mine should not go in machine/drier.

[YesThisIsMe]

Delicates basket. Labelled Hand Wash Only and kept elsewhere.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

DH is learning the hard way. After he ruined a white towel by washing it in a black wash I cheerfully (or not) told him he owed me £30 which he has paid me. I bought it- now it's his and he can ruin it as much as he likes! He admitted he had just chucked it in the machine and put it on to. Carelessness costs in this house from now on. (To put into context I have bought 90% of the stuff in the house over the time we've been together).

[Doilooklikeatourist]

My DH doesn't know how to use the washing machine
Not helpful
But I'm quite relieved on reading this

[LotsOfShoes]

On one hand, my DH always asks me if he's unsure of whether something is delicate or not before putting in the wash. So I think your DH is being a bit of a twat here. On the other hand, I don't really understand how you have so many items of clothing that are so easily destroyed?! I mean, I have my fair share of silks and delicates but only 1-2 items that would get truly destroyed if accidentally put in the wash. If the item is sooo pretentious/poor quality, put it in a different basket and tell him that's off limits. Done.

[haveyourselfamerry]

Been there....

Second basket is the only way. I don't have a skull and crossbones on mine but you may need this.

[Nicknameofawesome]

I would get a second basket for stuff you don't want him to touch and chuck it all in there. Keep it well out of the way of the general washing basket.

[Benedikte2]

I started washing my own clothes when I was a teenager because I did not trust my DM with my precious clothes -- didn't have many and couldn't afford many new and the family washing machine in those days was rather rough. Made exH continue to launder his stuff and took care of my own and eventually DCs. DH washed the household linen.
In my experience you just can't trust anyone else as they don't know how you ought to launder sundry items. You need to ensure all your delicates go into a special designated (and lidded) basket that is off limits to all.
Sorry to hear of latest disaster.