handwashing cashmere sweaters?

[antirabbit]

Do tell? Have 4-5 cashmere sweaters I would like to handwash, please tell me how?

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

Do tell? Have 4-5 cashmere sweaters I would like to handwash, please tell me how?


I did this a couple of times, it's a real chore. I use a mesh laundry bag my mom got me from a hardware store put the washing machine setting on the gentlest, coolest setting and put baby shampoo or that new detergent specially made to treat soft fabrics well. I then let the sweater dry over a shower rod. Never had any problems. Before id hand squeezed it then laid it on a towel, took forever, not much diff, except that soap stays in the bloody thing if you hand wash it.

 

[Get Smart]

thoughts on using a washer machine's "handwash" setting for handwashable items?

 

[seoulfully]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

Do tell? Have 4-5 cashmere sweaters I would like to handwash, please tell me how?

Cashmere sweaters may be dry cleaned or hand washed with a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo or Ivory flakes. Hand washing keeps them softer longer but can change the shape of your sweaters if not done carefully. It is recommended that you soak sweaters in sudsy, lukewarm water for five minutes, then gently "squish" your sweater to let the suds soak through the fibers. Rinse in lukewarm water until the suds are completely removed and the water is clear, using the same "squishing" action, never wringing. Roll the sweater in a towel to remove the extra moisture and to speed the drying process. Lay it flat to dry and block into the desired shape, using special care, as wet cashmere fibers can weaken and stretch out of shape. Your sweater will take the shape that it's put into when it's dried, so this is an important part of its care. Once it's thoroughly dried, it can be delicately tumbled in a home dryer at a cool temperature (air dry, no heat) to make the fibers "bloom." Put the sweater inside-out in a lingerie bag with plenty of space or in a pillow case with the end tied off ? this gives it room to tumble.

from knit alteration and design also some tips from the laundress

 

[AlanC]

Take a look at this earlier thread on the topic.

I hand washed a couple of sweaters--one wool, one cashmere--recently, and it turned out very well. I may try the mesh bag in the washer approach next time, however.

One of them had strong mothball odor, and after it was almost completely dry from air drying, I threw it in the dryer on low with a clothes softener sheet. It really helped the softness and helped eliminate the odor. Be careful if you do that, though. You don't want to over dry it.

 

[kitonbrioni]

I have machine washed on delicate cashmere sweaters with Woolite and machine dried them on low heat on the delicate cycle without any problems.

 

[montmorency]

Originally Posted by Get Smart

thoughts on using a washer machine's "handwash" setting for handwashable items?

My washing machine has a handwash cycle. I have used it to wash sweaters, both wool and cashmere, with excellent results.

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by montmorency

My washing machine has a handwash cycle. I have used it to wash sweaters, both wool and cashmere, with excellent results.

Cool. Is it possible to ease up the lid and catch a peek at the little hands?

 

[montmorency]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Cool. Is it possible to ease up the lid and catch a peek at the little hands?

Better to set up a tv behind it so after you slip your hands into the gloves that extend into the machine, you have something to watch while you rub & squeeze.

 

[fatherseanfan]

that video from the laundress has to be one of the most annoying things EVER