Why are my jumpers always ruined after 1 wash?!

[jelllycats]

I don't know where I'm going wrong so would appreciate some advice because I'm clearly useless! I wash my jumpers on a delicate wash and every single time they come out tatty and bobbly 😡 so they don't last me 2 minutes, just bought a few new ones this year and I've just washed some for the first time after wearing them a few times and they're all fucked now. What am I doing wrong? Is this normal? It's costing me a fortune and surely they shouldn't be ready for the bin after 1 wash, this happened a lot last year too when I bought a few new ones 🥴

What type of jumpers are you buying? What’s the fabric composition?

Place in a pillowcase in future.

It could be that the delicate cycle of your washing machine is too rough and that you need to handwash them.

How strange, what kind of jumpers, what wash powder are you using and what temp?

You need a wool wash not a delicates wash. No hotter than 30 degrees, and use a specific wool washing liquid like Sturgene.

What sort of jumpers?
Are you washing them inside out?

Fabric?
wash cycle?
detergent?

I don't wash my woolen jumpers on a delicates cycle, I use hand wash or wool cycle. You shouldn't leave them in the machine too long either.

I think you have to stick to good quality wool cashmere etc. wash on low heat gentle wool wash with a little wool specific washing liquid. Yes your costs in buying the jumpers is higher but they should last years. I am wearing a jumper I bought 5 years ago today. It still looks pretty good

Wool wash with liquid soap.Take out of the machine as soon as finished.Gently shake dry flat on a towel. Always turn inside out.Never have a problem.

Apparently you have to dry them flat… God only knows how?!

Are 'delicate' and 'wool wash' definitely the same thing on your machine? We once ruined a very pretty little toddler cardigan by putting it in 'delicate' when it had always been fine on the woollen cycle. Also, have you got a proper detergent formulated for woollens? That makes a big difference too IME.

This is the label of the one I've just got out today which is ruined, they're mainly from new look and this one was £28 I think (can't afford high end). Detergent I use non bio pods as we all have sensitive skin. I haven't used the wool setting as stupidly just thought delicate would be ok. I'm scared to even wash anymore now so have been avoiding wearing them but it's getting very cold now 🥶

if they are wool, then they get ruined by the agitation of the machine. The turning of the drum helps the wool fibres ot felt together.

The wool wash on a machine pretty much doesn't turn/agitate. It is soak and spin.

But I chuck all my sweaters in with the rest of the washing at 40 if they have a machine wash washing label, and I don't get this problem.

Yes I always wash them inside out

sorry cross posted with your washing instructions.

They should be fine on a normal wash.
I am not sure what is goind wrong.

Fabric softener can help a lot with acrylic sweaters. It helps the texture.

and funnily enough, the spin cycle can actually help them to regain their shape. Sometimes works better that the delicate cycle.

I always use fabric softener aswell, maybe it's my washing machine? It's not very old though. I mentioned it to my mum and she couldn't understand it either but did offer for me to bring them round next time and she will wash them for me but surely I shouldn't need my mum doing my laundry

Acrylic bobbles. And acrylic mix bobbles even more, I seem to remember my textiles teacher saying that it’s to do with the different fibres reacting differently to wear.

it will always happen so invest in a de-bobbler machine. Or a friend of mine runs a razor over hers and shaves them - never tried it myself though.

It's probably the jumpers themselves. Acrylic jumpers will bobble especially if they're made with loosely plied yarn.

I blame the jumpers themselves.
Lindex is quite good for sweaters (kids and ladies!)

I LOVE my de-bobbling machine. It's brought many a tatty old jumper back to looking like new.

Also, if it's an accessible option, it pays to be a tiny bit of a snob about fabric composition and buy fewer plastic clothes. I love my merino wool (it's all second hand - I just got really good at darning).

£28 for acrylic?? You can get pure Merino wool at Uniqlo for a pound more and they wash and wear brilliantly.

It's because they're acrylic and polyester. Get yourself a debobbling machine in the meantime.

I do actually have a de-bobbler machine somewhere, I think it's a Philips one though and it's not the best. I had one years ago which was great but lost it during a house move and can't remember what type it was. Can anyone recommend a good one?

Acrylic always looks terrible after a few wears and washes, but also many delicate cycles are not delicate enough for knitwear, you need to use the wool cycle, or hand wash.
I never buy acrylic as it is an environmental disaster, plus it works out much more expensive overall, as the jumpers don’t last.