Nana-Hack No.1: How do I wash hand-knitted items?
It happens to the best of us - one time you're a little careless while washing something and suddenly the woolen garment you knitted with so much love and dedication is gone.
(Nicole's daughter, Robin, is one of these "best" ones, having managed to transform the granddaughter's favorite "Jäggli" (Jacket) into a felty mess. And that's despite her own years of knitting and washing experience. As a grandmother, it's best, as is often the case, to say nothing—and simply knit something new.)
To prevent this from happening to you, here are Nicole's best tips for washing hand-knitted items.
Choose a gentle setting: Most modern washing machines have a wool or handwash program. Choose this program because it offers a low spin speed and a gentle wash motion. This will help keep your knitwear in shape and provide gentle cleaning.
Wash cold or at most lukewarm: Wool fibers are sensitive to temperature changes, which can cause shrinkage or loss of shape. Set the temperature to 30°C or lower. Cold water is the safest choice to minimize the risk of shrinkage or felting.
Use wool detergent: Regular detergents often contain enzymes and other additives that can harm wool. Therefore, use a special wool detergent. Just a small amount is enough to gently clean your knitwear.
Use a laundry net: Place your knitted garment in a laundry net or a pillowcase. This protects the fibers from friction and prevents your knitted garment from stretching or distorting. If you don't have a mesh bag, a cotton pillowcase will also work.
Spin gently: The spin speed should be set low, ideally at a maximum of 800, but even better at 400 revolutions per minute. Spinning too hard could distort the knitted garment or damage the fibers.
Dry gently after washing:
Squeeze out water, don't wring: As soon as the wash cycle is finished, carefully squeeze the water out of your knitted item - wringing is taboo, as this can strain the fibers and deform the knitted item.
Dry flat: Find a flat surface, such as a clothes rack or mat, and lay the knitted item out on a dry towel to dry. Gently stretch it to retain its original size and shape. Avoid direct sunlight or heaters—natural air drying is best.
Be patient: Air-drying can take a while, but your hand-knitted pieces will thank you! Thick or bulky knits often take a day or more to dry.
Wash less, air more: If a knitted item isn't stained, it's usually sufficient to air it outside for a day. This protects the wool and is just as effective against odors.
