Help with washing a wool jumper

[DoubleLottchen]

I told the DC to clear all the winter clothes out of their wardrobes to go into storage bags, so DD has presented me with her vibrant citrus-coloured jumper that is 90% lambswool and 10% cashmere.

This is the first time I have attempted to wash it, and I am terrified of ruining it (it's her favourite jumper - a brilliant charity shop find).

It doesn't actually look dirty, and I hung it up to air overnight, and it doesn't smell dirty in any way either.

So should I...

(a)Put it in the washing machine? My machine has 3 possible settings: - wool (40 degrees, 800 spin); handwash (30 degrees, 1000 spin); bright colours (20 degrees, 1200 spin). Which one?? Label in teh jumper says 30, but surely a dedicated wool one is best I've only ever used the easycare or quickwash setting before.

(b) not actually wash it, and just pack it away after airing (this seems a bit skanky, and she has worn it loads all winter, but as I said, it doesn't actually seem dirty)

(c) something else?

And if I do put it in the washing machine, do I have to buy special detergent? I have memories of my mum washing woollens in the bath with soap flakes (Dreft?)
Should I put other clothes in too, or is it better all by itself? (I have a couple of similarly-coloured things that could go in with it).
Should I use fabric softener?

Any guidance gratefully received

It's agitation that does for wool, so I'd go with the wool cycle as it has a lower spin. 40 degrees should be ok.

You're not meant to use bio powder, but have to say I've never had a problem. You could get some Woolite to be safe.

If you're worried about it, put it in by itself. The only thing I can imagine happening to similarly coloured clothes though is they might come out a bit hairy if the jumper sheds, plus they'll be wetter than washing on a different cycle.

What does the label say re: fabric softener? I'd say no and reshape while damp.

PS - if moths are any risk (bitter experience here - lost all my cashmere one year) then DO NOT PACK AWAY UNWASHED!!!!

Nooooo!

I'd not do any of the above :(

40C is too hot for lambswool with cashmere.

My machine has a wool cycle and the choice of either 30C or 40C. I wash all woollens on the 30C setting.

It's heat that shrinks wool. I washed one jumper (not a good one) on 40C by mistake and it shrunk to the size of a child's.

I wash all my cashmere on 30C.

If you can't do this (maybe your machine has a delicates or silk cycle? Mine does) then wash by hand in the sink with hand-hot tepid water. You can either rinse by hand (again, use cool water) or finish off by rinsing in the washing machine.

and yes, use a washing liquid for woollens such as Woolite or own brand for Delicates. Not bio or ordinary detergent.

You need the handwash cycle if you use your machine. the spin won't harm it OR hand wash yourself (I used to do this for years) roll it in a towel to get out excess water, then lie flat to dry or over a clothes rail with a towel under so you don't get lines from the drier on it.

Ok, I've re-read your post and if the label says 30 degrees then definitely don't wash it hotter than that. I still wouldn't spin above 800 though which rules out your handwash cycle.

Probably best to handwash (as in wash in the sink with your hands ).

I just had to reset my password to come on here because of the bad advice that had been given... Someone beat me to it.phew!
Deffo go with queen of the nights advice
If you have moths in you house then they love wool. Deep freeze for a few weeks in a carrier bag before storing away in a vacuumed zip bag )if you know what i mean!)

Thank you!
Label only has symbols rather than words - I can recognise the wash at 30 one, and the do not tumble dry one, and the iron on low one.

It also has a black crossed out triangle, a white crossed out triangle (no bleach??), a P in a circle with a line underneath, a P in a circle with a line at a tangent and a square box with a horizontal line across the middle and a little triangle in the top left corner .

I tend to use colour detergent, which I assume is non-bio (and I also assume doesn't have bleach in).

I don't know if we are at risk of moths, but I will heed the advice anyway!

Right, lots more advice, thank you.

I will try and buy some special detergant, and will experiment with an empty washing machine to see if I can change the temperature on the wool setting to 30, otherwise I will use the handwash setting.

None of the above. Either dry clean (that's what those P symbols are - notes to the dry cleaner), or handwash cold with Woolite or other delicate non-bio. Never use bio, never wash on 40, and never pack away dirty.

Ideally pack away in a sealed bag to keep out moths.

I would hand wash it gently in a sink, with hand hot water and hair conditioner. Do not put it away unwashed!

I'm lucky that my Miele machine means I can override the spin speed to whatever I want for each cycle, but I think the spin for wool is set at 800rpm.

Moths: I lost 2 jumpers and a dress to these buggers. I didn't know then they love perfume and body scent (not sweat!) . I've bought zipped bags from Lakeland so all my cashmere and wool is now zipped away all year. I do put in the bags in between wears because I don't wash after a single wearing for a few hours. But the best jumpers are in 2 bags- one plastic clothes bag then the zipped bag. I will though wash now when they are put away for the summer.

I would hand wash it in very cool water with no agitation really just gentle swilling about. Dry flat after a gentle press between towels to get worst off. Dont put it away unwashed - will attract moths etc and nt smell fresh later.

I have checked my washing machine, and you can change the spin speed on the handwashing setting AND I managed to get a bottle of wool detergent from the corner shop.

I'm going in!

Thank you for all the advice, particularly to the poster who went to the trouble of resetting her password to advise me

Late to this thread but my cashmere sweaters are only improving with age. I recommend handwashing in lukewarm water with a drop of shampoo - basically if it's ok for hair .... no need for special wash liquid IMO.

Cold rinse by hand then pop into washing machine on spin only (800 to 1000) so that they don't take long to dry flat.