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At my age you’d think I’d know how best to wash wool!

(50 Posts)
FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sat 08-Mar-25 11:31:14

My dilemma. We were given beautiful very thick woollen socks (expensive so I’m wary of ruining them) and Himself was bought a 100% wool cardigan.

I know to lightly spin and dry them flat. But how best to wash them? I could hand wash I suppose. I have time but I’m #lazygran so I’d like to pop them in the washing machine.

However the wool cycle tells me 1hour and 20 minutes! Surely too long swishing about in all that water? I’m tempted just to do a 20 minute freshen up cycle at 30°C on a short spin.

I’m dithering. It’s a silly problem.
Help please!

Tizliz Sat 08-Mar-25 11:33:50

wash by hand. washing machines are notorious for not being the right temperature. Then put the socks away and admire from a distance 😂

merlotgran Sat 08-Mar-25 11:39:27

I handwash woollen jumpers then put them in the rinse and spin cycle along with some fabric conditioner.

blue14 Sat 08-Mar-25 11:41:17

I have merino wool cardigans.
I always use the detergent for delicate fabrics.
Wash them in the machine on a short, COLD wash.
I think 30 degrees may be a bit too warm for wool.
My machine has a 15 minute cold wash.
They always come out clean with no shrinkage and no problems.

Indigo8 Sat 08-Mar-25 11:41:27

I think it is safer to hand wash. Water should not be more than lukewarm. Some people turn socks inside out before washing. Use mild detergent, rinse thoroughly and squeeze out excess water and/or short spin. Never tumble dry. Turn them the other side out after drying for a few hours to speed up drying.

After a few weeks they should be dry enough to wear again. (Only joking grin)

Ladyripple Sat 08-Mar-25 11:59:54

I wear a lot of cashmere,I wash in my machine which has a wool wash cycle and always use Woolite.None of this washing cashmere once a year for me!

An hour and twenty minutes wash cycle! I agree seems way to long.I would hand wash in cold water ,then a short spin.

Whitewavemark2 Sat 08-Mar-25 12:04:57

My wash cycle is 39 mins and I have a choice of temperature cold/30c/40c. I spin on 1500. I never dry flat - either hang on airier or outdoors if fine. I have wool and cashmere and silk stuff that I’ve worn for donkeys years. Good as new. My machine is a Miele. I guess all machines will be different. I use either woo lite or persil silk snd wool

Squiffy Sat 08-Mar-25 12:39:19

I put our woollens, inside out, in a mesh laundry bag and use the fast wash cycle on either 20° or 30°. It’s worked so far!

Sago Sat 08-Mar-25 12:45:58

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This stuff is great wash by hand, no rinse and gentle machine spin.

Charleygirl5 Sat 08-Mar-25 13:03:48

I would use a cold wash on my machine and carefully choose the detergent I would use. I dry flat because I think line drying can increase the length of the clothes.

Pantglas2 Sat 08-Mar-25 14:31:36

I have merino wool, and also pure cashmere sweaters which go in the coolest wash of my washing machine 15mins and I dry them flat outdoors in 🌞 or conservatory table.

Labradora Sat 08-Mar-25 14:39:52

I always hand wash wool - even the not-that-expensive low grade cashmere stuff.
( other posters may have top-of the -range cashmere which is expensive)
It only goes in the machine for a spin.
Dried flat .

NotSpaghetti Sat 08-Mar-25 14:39:58

I would not cold wash wool.
Make the water the same temperature as your body.
Hand wash and rinse (again at body heat).

Spin in the machine once rinced (NOT the rinse and spin cycle)
I spin wool at 1200.

The Wool cycle of a machine is only for machine washable wool.

Lots of lovely wool will not survive.
My machine wash cycle is about an hour too. It turns and rests so is quite gentle.

My son/daughter-in-law have a genuine hand-wash drawer at the bottom of their washer which really does behave like hand washing. It can wash bras with underwires and so on.

I hope you find a solution that works for you.
X

Lona Sat 08-Mar-25 14:40:33

I've just washed two 100% cashmere sweaters , 20 min wash,at 20deg, then extra fast spin afterwards. Put them in mesh bags (before) , they were like new smile
#lazygran2

NotSpaghetti Sat 08-Mar-25 14:42:59

I can see lots of people use the wool cycle.
Is this for wool that says you can use it or for all wool?

Also some beautiful wools definitely shock in tap-cold water.

Cossy Sat 08-Mar-25 14:47:37

I have a delicate 15 minute cycle in my washing machine and some suitable detergent.

I wash our woollens on this cycle, then wrap them in towels, flat on our utility room draining board.

Granmarderby10 Sat 08-Mar-25 18:35:39

NotSpaghetti what is a handwashing draw?🤔

charley68 Sat 08-Mar-25 19:38:41

Hand wash with a very small amount of washing soda, in very cool water. Leave to soak for about 15 minutes, and use very gentle agitation to move in the water. Empty the bowl/sink and let the items drain. Rinse once or twice in very cool water, with a final rinse in a spoonful of vinegar.
Dry flat, or use towels to roll up and help rid excess water, but dry flat.
I do not wash pure wool in the machine, only machine washable wool/items.

NotSpaghetti Sat 08-Mar-25 20:19:00

Granmarderby10

NotSpaghetti what is a handwashing draw?🤔

It looks like this.

Allira Sat 08-Mar-25 20:44:09

I washed my Woolovers jumpers, as recommended, on the wool cycle in the machine, dried flattish on an airer and they shrunk.

The lambswool sweaters from M&S get put in the machine in a net bag on a low temperature and come out fine.

Esmay Sat 08-Mar-25 20:54:02

After I've had a long soak in warm water I the tub -I use the water to wash my woolies and delicates.
The bath foam is cleansing .
I add a bit of disinfectant and give them a gentle swish .
I drain and rinse .
I squeeze out the excess water and wrap in old towels if necessary.
I dry flat on my electric clothes airer.
I've always washed woolies in thus way .
I 'm 70 plus.
The only new innovation is my electric airer

Allira Sat 08-Mar-25 21:52:45

I spin wool at 1200.
I spun at them 800 rpm

The Wool cycle of a machine is only for machine washable wool.
Woolovers' labels say their wool jumpers are machine washable.

They claimed that they shrank because I spun them too fast!.

Other woollen garments may be fine.

Allira Sat 08-Mar-25 21:53:42

I spin wool at 1200.
Sorry, that was a quote from NotSpaghetti.

Aldom Sun 09-Mar-25 08:07:11

Notspaghetti I didn't know washing machines with the delicates drawer
existed. Which company makes them please? smile

cornergran Sun 09-Mar-25 08:30:13

Woollen sweaters are washed as I’ve always done. A gentle hand wash in luke warm water, a short spin in the machine, gently re-shape if needed and preferably line dry. Unless they are very heavy I dry on a hanger, I’m long in the body as is Mr C and some extra length is always welcome. Once I’m sure the really cold weather has left us there will be a hand washing session before packing away winter woolies, strangely I enjoy it.