My front load washer has a hand wash cycle. I use it and have never had a problem.
Oh Connie, how I envy you having that hand wash cycle. That would solve the entire problem.
Wow! Again, Many thanks for all the great advice and facts on soaps and detergents. All of you are a virtual fountain of useful information.
Like many of you, I avoid the dry cleaners if I can. Who knows what all those chemicals are. I've always heard you should immediately remove the plastic bag and hang the garment in a well ventilated space..not your closet. Who needs all those precautions? Just tells you that this cannot be good.
Again, many thanks
Sherry
I have a sweater that I bought in Maderia last fall. I do not know what the fiber content is - maybe wool, maybe cashmere. It also has been hand embroidered. Should I wash it?
Many years ago someone gave me a cashmere sweater which I totally ruined by washing in the washer. There were no care instructions that I remember.
Judy M wrote:
I have a sweater that I bought in Maderia last fall. I do not know what the fiber content is - maybe wool, maybe cashmere. It also has been hand embroidered. Should I wash it?
Many years ago someone gave me a cashmere sweater which I totally ruined by washing in the washer. There were no care instructions that I remember.
It depends on what the embroidery thread is made of. If cotton, and brightly colored, it may bleed on the sweater. Try testing it in a spot that won't show. If it is the same yarn as the sweater, then it should be no problem to wash.
LilgirlCA wrote:
Judy M wrote:
I have a sweater that I bought in Maderia last fall. I do not know what the fiber content is - maybe wool, maybe cashmere. It also has been hand embroidered. Should I wash it?
Many years ago someone gave me a cashmere sweater which I totally ruined by washing in the washer. There were no care instructions that I remember.
It depends on what the embroidery thread is made of. If cotton, and brightly colored, it may bleed on the sweater. Try testing it in a spot that won't show. If it is the same yarn as the sweater, then it should be no problem to wash.
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If you are going to wash, use a wool wash, like Soak or Eucalan, or shampoo. Soak, then rinse if using shampoo. Gently squeeze out the water, lay flat to dry.
This may be wrong but I use whatever liquid soap I have on hand. It's never ruined anything.
LeAnn wrote:
This may be wrong but I use whatever liquid soap I have on hand. It's never ruined anything.
LeAnn, Dishwashing soap is not really soap. It's detergent. That's why all of them, all of them, will take the oil out of your hands. Lanolin is an oil based substance found in wool. Some processing strips this natural moisturizer out of wool yarn, leaving it dry and brittle. Would you use your dish soap on your hair? Well it does the same thing to wool. It strips the lanolin out.
StitchDesigner wrote:
LeAnn wrote:
This may be wrong but I use whatever liquid soap I have on hand. It's never ruined anything.
LeAnn, Dishwashing soap is not really soap. It's detergent. That's why all of them, all of them, will take the oil out of your hands. Lanolin is an oil based substance found in wool. Some processing strips this natural moisturizer out of wool yarn, leaving it dry and brittle. Would you use your dish soap on your hair? Well it does the same thing to wool. It strips the lanolin out.
quote=LeAnn This may be wrong but I use whatever ... (
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Like I said it may be wrong! LOL Actually I have used dish soap on my hair. When I do use it I only use a small amount, just enough to get the dirt out. Would good quality hand soap work?
LeAnn wrote:
StitchDesigner wrote:
LeAnn wrote:
This may be wrong but I use whatever liquid soap I have on hand. It's never ruined anything.
LeAnn, Dishwashing soap is not really soap. It's detergent. That's why all of them, all of them, will take the oil out of your hands. Lanolin is an oil based substance found in wool. Some processing strips this natural moisturizer out of wool yarn, leaving it dry and brittle. Would you use your dish soap on your hair? Well it does the same thing to wool. It strips the lanolin out.
quote=LeAnn This may be wrong but I use whatever ... (
show quote)
Like I said it may be wrong! LOL Actually I have used dish soap on my hair. When I do use it I only use a small amount, just enough to get the dirt out. Would good quality hand soap work?
quote=StitchDesigner quote=LeAnn This may be wro... (
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They put so much stuff in hand soap that the only ones I would recommend are Ivory and Orvus. In fact the only Orvus I could find on the web is a paste for quilts. Of course, that would be ok for knitting and crochet.
An LYS owner told me that the best way to use the Ivory was to shave it with a vegie peeler. Use warm water, swish around until the soap is dissolved (it doesn't take much), then add the garment.
Do not confuse with Ivory Snow. That is a detergent.
When I was designing wool/silk sweaters, I washed them all in LOC cold water, not cool. Several drops of this will not pull or fade the colors like most wool washes will. LOC stands for liquid organic cleaner and is sold by Amway (and I'm not in the business). Then I wrapped them loosely in a white Turkish towel, unwrapped them and let dry on a flat surface. They were sold at Neiman Marcus. I have some cashmeres and kid mohairs that are 30+ years old and still beautiful! Good luck.