HOW TO WASH AN RIB-KNIT WOOL SWEATER AND KEEP IT IN SHAPE

Rib-knit sweaters are lovely but if not well looked after, they tend to lose their shape just with one wash.

I follow a few rules when it concerns washing mine.

1 - Read the instructions carefully.

2 - I Never wash different colours at the same time or in the same water ( even when I know they will never run, is a risk I do not want to take).

3 - Check for stains and treat them before wetting the garment.

HOW TO WASH

STEP 1 - I fill the sink with cold/tepid water (I do not like to wash my dedicates in very cold water) I add the detergent (woolite for delicate) making sure the detergent is well mixed with the water.

P.S. Do not use too much detergent ist better to add if it needs it than have too much. Too much detergent is very difficult to remove from wool.

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STEP 2 - Very gently insert the garment into the cold/tepid water.

PS By giving a gentle soak and washing just squeezing the water out and not wringing, that will not damage the yarn and will keep the shape.

STEP 3 - Washing it, just by squeezing the water out (making sure I wash under the arms without rubbing, just dipping the garment in water and squeezing out the water)

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STEP 4 - Once I’m happy there are no stains, and the cuffs, the collar are stain free and clean, I discard the water, by rolling up the garment and squeezing gently (no wringing or stretching)

I remove the dirty water.

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STEP 5 - Refill the sink with cold/tepid clean water and insert the garment, rinsing it by pressing it gently and inserting it into the water. I keep rinsing with clean water, repeating that movement until I fill there is no more soap in the water if that is the case I get rid of the water.

STEP 6 - Once again I fill the sink with clean tepid water adding softener to the water (comfort pure) insert the sweater a couple of times and squeeze the water out without winging or stretching it.

HOW TO REMOVE THE WATER

STEP 1 - Once I’m happy that all stains or smells are gone put a towel on the floor, lay the garment flat making sure not to stretch it and start rolling it very, very gently.

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STEP 2 - Now all goes by filling. When I fill like most of the water is gone from the garment to the towel I remove it from the wet towel ( I have a few old towels just for this job)

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THE BEST WAY TO DRY IT

STEP 1 - I get a clean dry towel and lay it on a flat surface, carefully reshaping the rib-knit wool sweater by patting gently avoiding making wrinkles ( do not tug or pull). Pat the sweater into shape; avoid tugging or pulling. Gently push the ribbing together at the neckline, wrists, shoulders and waist

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Like so

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STEP 2 - Let it dry flat for 24 hours. If after that it is still wet remove it from that towel and replace it with a new one, following step 1 on the best way to dry it. 3 - Once is dry fold it carefully, making sure of keeping the shape. ( usually, I turn them on the right side, so it does not create a line on the sleeves but on this occasion, I left the outside out. I forgot. No one is perfect. Just noticed, as I was writing this post).

PS - I never hang my knitted garments because the weight will stretch them at the shoulders.

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