Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

How can I freshen up jumpers from the charity shop

29 replies

stirling · 26/09/2019 19:40

Without having to wash them? Because whenever I do hand-wash them they always take forever to dry and still smell a bit.

Any suggestions
Thank you

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 26/09/2019 19:42

You really do need to wash them. Only way.

FamilyOfAliens · 26/09/2019 19:42

What are they made of? Wool jumpers have to be washed by hand unless they’re machine washable.

Acrylic jumpers can go in the machine and will dry in a couple of hours.

AwdBovril · 26/09/2019 19:44

Why would you not wash them? You've no idea of the personal hygiene of the previous owner!

PickAChew · 26/09/2019 19:46

20C wool cycle in your machine. It's gentler than handwashing, tbh.

If you want to wring a jumper by hand, lay it on a couple of big towels fold inwards then roll it up, like you would swimming kit.

MaverlousMo · 26/09/2019 19:50

Yeah they need a wash, I put mine on a cold wash, quick cycle no spin

Original poster
stirling · 26/09/2019 20:49

They're just so gorgeous I don't want to shrink them at all, I'm terrified of my new washing machine, it's temperamental. I'm sure it shrinks stuff occasionally

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 26/09/2019 20:58

But you'll have to wash them in future too. I'm not snobby about charity shop buys, but washing them after buying is a given, surely?

TrippinOut · 26/09/2019 21:00

What?

You don't wash your jumpers at all?

But... They are used. And been in a stuffy old shop for god knows how long.

SirVixofVixHall · 26/09/2019 21:01

Shrinking is as much to do with agitation as temperature, so hand wash in cool water, with minimal rubbing, swooshing etc. Basically lay the jumper as flat as you can ( use your biggest sink) and then gently press it down so the sudsy water goes through it. Empty the soapy water out, very gently press again, then fill with more cool water. Repeat until the rinsing water is clear, then carefully remove the jumper and lay it flat on a towel. Roll the towel and squeeze. Do not wring. Then lay the jumper somewhere to dry, carefully pulling it into shape, before laying it flat on a towel or on a net rack. Do not put it near heat.
You won’t shrink or felt sweaters if you do this.
Or get a Miele machine as their wool cycle is brilliant.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 26/09/2019 21:46

I wash all of my expensive cashmere to no ill-effect. I have wash bags but a pillowcase will do, 30° wool or delicates cycle on the lowest spin, use a wool and silk detergent. When they come out press between two towels to soak any excess moisture and then I hang mine over a clothes horse but I drape each garment over a few of the rungs so there's no distortion.

Never had a problem.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 26/09/2019 21:48

I have a Miele SirVix, concur, 'tis very good!

Original poster
stirling · 26/09/2019 22:08

Thanks everyone some good advice on here...

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/09/2019 22:40

I wash anything fragile in a net bag so it doesn't get tangled or stretched .
(And I have a Miele but I eye it's Wool Cycle with suspicion- on a normal 40c it can turn clothes inside-out washing the right way round Shock )

SirVixofVixHall · 26/09/2019 22:57

I had a long chat with the Miele engineer who came to service mine recently, the wool cycle was the main topic. He said he has never known the wool cycle shrink anything, and I agree. I have washed Victorian woollens in it, and they have been fine. I have even washed coats rather than dry clean them, as my only local dry cleaner pinched my favourite coat.
Make sure you use an appropriate detergent. Baby shampoo will do.

Original poster
stirling · 26/09/2019 23:00

OK thanks will give it a try with one on wool cycle, pillow case and baby shampoo. On 20 degrees.

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 26/09/2019 23:04

Do you have a Meile Op ? Because I am not as confident about other wool cycles. If you don’t, stick to hand washing.

SirVixofVixHall · 26/09/2019 23:04

Also what are they made of ? As in fibre content ?

gubbsywubbsy · 26/09/2019 23:09

Make sure it's a wool wash or the spin will shrink them .

morrisseysquif · 26/09/2019 23:11

I have washed vintage arrans in the wool cycle, just do it!

ILikeyourHairyHands · 26/09/2019 23:13

Turn the spin right down!

palahvah · 26/09/2019 23:16

Hang them outside first to air and get any smells out (as far as poss). Then delicate wash.

Original poster
stirling · 27/09/2019 12:17

It's a Siemens washing machine. My previous machine (Bosch and its related to Siemens) was shrinking clothing and I suspected it was on the spin cycle because the temperature test carried out by the engineer was accurate.
The old machine I'd had for yonks - a Hot point aquarius never caused any problems.

OP posts:
Original poster
stirling · 27/09/2019 12:19

Actually I've got two options on the Siemens :a wool wash at 20, or a delicates /silk wash. Wonder which will have a smoother spin. God knows where the manual is...

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 27/09/2019 13:01

Some wool cycles are only designed for machine washable wool, not for woollies that you would normally hand wash. The silk cycle is not ok for wool.
What composition are the jumpers ?

PickAChew · 27/09/2019 14:03

Delicates wash agitates far more than a wool wash. (I have a Siemens, too). Both do a short spin, only, but you should be able to turn the spin speed down. If yours is like mine, it'd probably refuse to spin a couple of jumpers, anyhow, as it won't get balanced and they hold on to a lot of water.