washing wool/knitted items

[DeathMetalMum]

I have a few knitted things for dd's that need washing but I am a bit clueless. I have a wool cycle on the machine and I know that the 'important' items are able to be washed. Do I need to buy a certain detergent my normal (persil non-bio liquid) says not to use on wool. I know drying will be a right pita also any tips on drying too?

I tend to handwash if the things aren't very big/bulky. I use Woolite washing liquid - you only need a dribble. Wash in lukewarm water, rinse, then more lukewarm water with a bit of fabric softener (again only a dribble). Leave to drain a bit (a colander works here!)

A good way to start the drying process, if you don't want to spin in the washing machine, is to get a clean towel, spread it out, spread the wet garment on it and then roll the whole lot up into a sausage. Then roll again like a snail shell, and stand on it. Then hang on the line, airer or radiator.

It's a good idea to buy Persil Silk and Wool, or at a pinch Ecover liquid wash will do. Or what I often do is give them a soak in cheap shampoo, and give them a gentle spin in a laundry bag afterwards.

i do the same as fishandjam (i knit a lot and use lots of non-machine washable fibres)

i use eucalan - a dribble in a bowl of lukewarm water (a capful in the bath if there's more to wash) - leave to soak - rinse gently in lukewarm water (it doesn't need much rinsing)

i also do the rolling in a towel and standing on it

Can I add something I have literally done this weekend?
I hate washing woollen items as I can never dry them properly and they always smell damp.
I took a risk and I washed two 'hand wash only' expensive woollen jumpers inside a single quilt cover which I made sure was done up properly.
I washed on usual 40 degrees (with a full spin) and used usual arial liquid. The items came out perfect! They are a little wet but not dripping and sopping as usual and so clean. I have hung them overa. Rack to dry which they have now.
They are not mis shape and smell lovely.
Hth

I use persil non bio on a wool cycle and they are fine.

Don't know any of my friends or family that do use a wool detergent though many people on here do!

The last a lot longer with the right washing liquid. Washing them inside else helps them last as well. If people have shelled out £££ for decent knitwear, it makes sense to look after your investment.

Thanks its all hand knitted stuff but a couple of cardigans and a blanket. Silly question but does the colour run easily on wool? The blanket has some very dark green parts.

Depends on the wool. I would hand wash it first to try it.

I read (probably on here) that over time the harsher detergents such as persil or surf actually damage wool or silk. Probably fine as a one off. However the packet does advise against it, so I tend to use woollite for most delicates.

Sometimes I handwash and rinse, then do a very light 600 spin, this saves the item from dripping and potentially stretching. Wringing out by hand imo is worse than a low short machine spin.

I have a bottle of Woolite and wash knitted items on the very gentle/handwash cycle. The bottle lasts for ages if you only use it occasionally.

A lot of knitting yarns are machine washable, even wool. If someone makes something for you, you could ask for one of the labels from the ball of yarn to check the washing instructions.

If it's something I've knitted and I know its fragile I handwash and then squeeze in a rolled towel.

The more 'important' items are definatley washable as mil knitted them recently and she did give me the lables but I misplaced them or threw them out. Looks like I'll be getting some woolite, is it just available from most supermarkets?

Yes, can get woollite in most supermarkets, usually in a small section near the washing powders. You can also get slightly cheaper equivalents, look for something like "delicates liquid" but check it is suitable for machine washing!

I only use a small amount of persil and as it's non-bio it seems ok. I also only use a small amount of comfort pure. I wash in a net bag and inside out and seems ok. I have used woollite but prefer persil.

I also use a colour catcher and the items seem to run a little but not as much as other fabrics.

Lots of detergents have bleach in. Bleach dissolves wool. So it will get slightly wrecked each time you wash.

But, lots of knitted stuff may not be wool, esp for babies. Acrylic handknits will be fine in the washer.

But I would handwash anything precious or nice real wool, Woolite is fine. I use Eucalan or Soak for the poshest things.

I felted a lovely hat last week with a 40 wash I had knitted it myself as well.

I use persil silk and wool on a wool wash but never use the dryer, not even on the woollens setting.

My Miele has a drying basket to dry hand washing in the tumble dryer, which sort of turns it into a hot cupboard. It works brilliantly.

some supermarkets do their own make wool/delicates liquid i.e. I know morrisons has their own. Home Bargains also sells Alur which is a also a wool detergent.

I am a very experienced hand knitter and I only use natural fibres

Ecover delicates wash or Lakeland Lavender/SOAK only.
Wash in lukewarm water and wash gently DO NOT AGITATE OR RUB.
Rinse in the same temperature- not cold it shocks the fibres.