Washing a cotton sweater on 40 degrees.

Yes, probably will

No it won’t , if anything it will stretch , and cotton does grow as you wear it !

Why not wash it 30? Do you think that won’t get it clean enough? You could always put some of that laundry Dettol in, if you’re worried about germs.

Poster probably wants to put it in with her other laundry.
I wash my clothes at 40 even if it says 30, but it's up to you. Do you think it's worth the risk.

Could you maybe hand wash it in tepid water/conditioner/Dettol whatever and then spin it.

I’d wash it at 30 in a net laundry bag, I do that for all my knitwear, then pull gently into shape and dry on a rack.

Don’t use conditioner with cotton, it affects the fibres adversely.

Laundry advice labels are there for a reason 🤦‍♀️

As it’s a charity shop buy and shrinkage will be long gone.

Definitely use a net laundry bag, as RosesandLilac suggests. 30° wash should be fine. Use a "mild" washing liquid too. Good luck!

Thanks Ladies. Witzend I didn’t want to waste water by machine washing it alone. I want to shrink it washing at 30 won’t do that as that is what is recommended.I do my washing at 40. I know labels are there for a reason GG but I want to shrink it a little. RL I never use conditioner. Petra. Do you think so even if it has been washed at 30 as recommended. I heated some water to 40 degrees it was lukewarm warm so maybe it won’t shrink it. Still in a quandary.

Seabreeze

Thanks Ladies. Witzend I didn’t want to waste water by machine washing it alone. I want to shrink it washing at 30 won’t do that as that is what is recommended.I do my washing at 40. I know labels are there for a reason GG but I want to shrink it a little. RL I never use conditioner. Petra. Do you think so even if it has been washed at 30 as recommended. I heated some water to 40 degrees it was lukewarm warm so maybe it won’t shrink it. Still in a quandary.

your blood temp is 38 degrees. This should tell you that 40 is not a shrinkworthy hot wash.

If you want to shrink it, either wash it at 60 or tumble dry it on hot.

Despite what the dial or button says, the actual water temperature can vary a lot from one machine to another, so I would play it safe
I would start by washing it at 40 ° the first time, then if doesn't shrink, put it in a hotter wash next time.

I can’t wear wool now, so wear cotton knitwear most of the time, and I always wash at 40 degrees. I also tumble dry it, because it comes up softer than line drying, and I’ve never had any shrinkage, I washed and dried a new Seasalt cardigan a couple of weeks ago, and it came out perfectly. I think to shrink it, you would need to wash a cotton item in very hot water.

Hi Casdon. Thanks for that. I wonder why it says wash at 30 then. I will wash at 40 and see what happens and go from there.

I think if you want to shrink it you will have to wash hot - say 60⁰ and then "hot dry" - but only if it's 100% cotton.

You referred to this as a "weave" - I think you will potentially get uneaven shrinkage from a knitted garment.

I wash cotton 'whites' (dishcloths, towels, underwear, tee shirts etc) at 60 degrees. I've done that for decades. Nothing has shrunk. Cotton nappies used to be boiled (100 degrees) before automatic washing machines, they didn't shrink, either.

30 degrees for cotton is ludicrous, it won't shrink at any temperature. , Though as far as getting it clean with modern soaps it's fine,

I think it's about the hot wash followed by hot drying that tightens the fibres, Maisie
I also wash some of my cottons at 60 (sheets, towels etc mainly) but steam or cooling relaxes and alignes knits in particular (in the same way that "snapping" silk relaxes the fibres there).

I do think that hot wash and hot dry (eg on a radiator) will tighten cotton fibres and pull them together - but obviously it won't last and cotton will relax again with wear.

I wonder if the 30⁰ on this garment is to do with the dyes? Or is there a trim?

*aligns

Just wash it on 30 as recommended. It could damage the fibres by washing on a higher temperature, or spinning too fast, and would spoil the look of the jumper. As it’s too big, maybe wear a shirt underneath?

Not spaghetti. Good point about the dyes. There is a dark blue stripe in there. Trying at 40 for now.

On a different note……..I’d wear that over a collared shirt - think layers - teamed with jeans. Why try to shrink such a beautiful garment?

I would wear it with a collared shirt too, Astitchintime
It's a "look" I do like.

I used to wash everything at 40 or 60 but now I use the 20 degree 20 minute cycle for everything apart from linen and towels. Everything comes out fresh. My bills have gone down.