Here, it happened again!
You took the laundry out of the washing machine drum and you realized that the sweater you loved so much, the one your dear aunt gave you, has felted wool .
What to do? Do you have to resign yourself and throw it in the trash? Not a chance!
Why Do Sweaters Felt?
Sweaters become felted because, when washed at high temperatures, the fibers rub against each other and in the long run they are damaged. The remedies to get them back to their original state are there, you just need to know them. Here are some effective remedies to save a felted wool sweater .
Remedies: from ammonia to alcohol
We must keep in mind that the recovery of the sweater will depend on how much the fibers are damaged. There are various methods to combat the felting of wool and sometimes you have to try more than one to get the best results.
The fibers of wool sweaters are elastic but, following numerous high-temperature washes, they can undergo felting. There are various remedies to recover them (alcohol, vinegar, conditioner).
Classical systems
Sodium bicarbonate
A first attempt can be made using the common baking soda you have at home. You thought it was just for digestion, right? Instead it is a very precious substance with multiple qualities. Try soaking the sweater overnight in a bucket of warm water with two tablespoons of baking soda. You will be surprised when you pull it up! But remember to rinse thoroughly to remove residual bicarbonate.
Lemon juice
If that’s not enough, then you can try lemon juice . Just add a little to the water of your hand wash or washing machine for an improvement.
Ammonia
If the condition of the fabric is not too compromised, leave the sweater for the whole day in a bucket with water and a little ammonia, before rinsing it, washing it with a specific detergent for wool and allowing it to dry. If the case is particularly serious, try adding a spoonful of alcohol and a spoonful of turpentine to the water and ammonia, then leave it in a water bath for an hour. You will see that it will be as good as new!
The drastic systems
The hair conditioner
Are you still not satisfied and want to know other ways to save a felted wool sweater? Hair conditioner comes to meet you !
In fact, this product also works as a great fabric softener, which is what our sweaters need. Proceed like this:
- Pour hot water with a little conditioner into a basin
- Mix everything
- Leave the sweater to soak for a few hours, massaging it to let the liquid penetrate into the fibers
- Take it out and rinse for a long time with warm water
- Wring out the sweater and roll it up in a dry terry towel, emptying it of all the water
The method of vinegar in the pot
Then there is the vinegar method , just as effective:
- Take a large pot and put it on the stove
- Pour in 1/2 liter of white vinegar
- Fill the pot with water, leaving room for the sweater
- Put the sweater in the pot
- Bring the water to a boil and let the sweater “cook” for about an hour
- Turn off the heat and let the sweater cool. Then rinse the sweater in warm, then cold water
- Iron it and squeeze it as much as you can
Here, now you should have a clear idea of what is best to do to save a felted wool sweater.
But really, nothing can be done to avoid seeing them ruined?
Best solution? Buy quality sweaters
Yes, the best solution is always to solve the problems upstream. Quality garments, in fact, can last for years (without them felting!).
What better solution than taking advice from experts on the subject? Due to the harsh climates they are subjected to, Danes and Norwegians have a historical culture of wool sweaters.
Norwegian and Danish sweaters
Scandinavian fisherman and skiers of the early twentieth century could count on a formidable ally against bad weather: the wool sweater.
The wool of the Scandinavian sheep is renowned for its ability to keep warm and insulate from moisture. No wonder these clothes are a kind of national symbol for these countries. With this raw material, felting will be just a memory .
Traditional Norwegian sweaters , mainly decorated with geometric patterns on a red or white background, may perhaps appear a little serious by today’s standards, but how can we deny that they are extraordinarily elegant?
Another matter with regard to the Christmas models, decidedly more jaunty and very much in vogue today. Flashy designs and colors are the norm. And if you want to bring a good mood to Christmas lunch, know that there are also “tandem” sweaters, to wear with your partner or even a family member.
Our web searches about this have led to unexpected results… Enjoy them!
