I have a throw that has a bunch (maybe 8 ) of different yarns in it. Some is mohair, alpaca, eyelash, and wool. I really need to wash this and was considering a cool delicate cycle or hand wash. Does anyone have any suggestions before I attempt this? What type of soap should I use? We normally use Tide Free for our regular laundry, but wasn’t sure if that would be too harsh for the yarns.
Thanks!!
Laura
Don’t throw it in the washing machine. The most prudent thing to do would be to look at the care instructions of each yarn you used and go with the gentlest method. This will probably be handwash, although it’s possible that one will require dry cleaning in which case you should probably take all the labels with you to the cleaners to make sure they use a method that’s safe for all of the yarns (there are different methods of dry cleaning). What colors did you use? I might be worried about bleeding if you have light and dark colors together.
[b][color=indigo]To be safe. Fill washer with hot water, add soap and agitate. Put item in washer and push down gently. Let soak until water is cool. Spin out. DO NOT AGITATE! Take item out. Fill washer with hot water and 1 cup white vinegar. Agitate for a second or two. Put item in washer and push down gently. Let soak until water is cool. Spin out. Do not agitate. Lay flat to dry.
This procedure will protect even the most delicate yarns.[/color][/b]
Can you really wash those yarns in hot water without any shrinkage ? I’d be petrified .
WHat about washing (acutally more soaking) in the bathtub with some wool wash like Eucalan?
[color=indigo]Hot water doesn’t shrink yarn. Agitation, change of water temp and change of pH felts yarn or fulls wool fabric. Soaking in hot water cleans it.[/color]
I think you should still check all the ball bands to make sure none are dry clean only. I saw some alpaca recently that was – I’m not sure why, but why risk it? Better to be cautious, you know?