We remove the prickliness of wool: how and what to wash it with, freeze the product, and dry it properly.
With the arrival of cold weather, woolen items are probably the most beloved in the wardrobe of all our compatriots. Indeed, a good woolen item is thin, light, and at the same time very warm. Only fleece items can compete with them, but due to the specific visual appearance fleece is used for sewing sports line, which is not suitable for everyone.
In this article we will tell you how to care for woolen items so that when worn they do not cause discomfort or tingling (a natural characteristic of wool, even merino).
What can you do to prevent woolen items from itching?
You bought something made of 100% wool, and everything would be fine if it weren’t for this unpleasant tingling sensation. Have you really been sold a low-quality item? Not at all, because the natural characteristic of wool is a slight tingling sensation that is felt by human skin, especially children's skin. This happens because the wool resembles human hair, which has been split and formed a “fluff”; it is these fluffy ends that irritate.
Scientists have proven that if both parents are not allergic, then things made from natural wool can be purchased without any problems for the child from the first days. But what if she annoys even adults? There are several washing secrets for this.
Option #1
To wash woolen items, purchase a detergent labeled “for washing woolen items” or “for wool.” Both gels and powders are sold, but as practice shows, gels work better and soften the wool without damaging its structure. In addition, many housewives complain that during delicate washing, powder stains remain on woolen items.
The most popular and proven wool washing products remain Laska Wool and Lenor. But other specialized tools are not very different. Pay attention to the smell, because wool perfectly absorbs aromas, and they will not disappear when dried like cotton or synthetics.
Before washing, be sure to check the tags, and even if you have a new machine, but the wool item says “hand wash only,” there is no need to take risks, and besides, washing such things is not at all difficult:
- Pour water at 37-40 °C into a basin, dissolve the detergent;
- We lower the woolen item so that it is completely in the solution;
- Leave for an hour so that all the dirt comes out into the water on its own;
- Lightly wipe the dirty areas after an hour and rinse with plenty of water;
- It is not recommended to wring out the wool; it is best to throw it on a net, and after the water has drained from it, spread it on an easily absorbable cloth until completely dry.
Also, don’t forget about the conditioner; both specialized for woolen items and regular conditioners are suitable. It is worth adding that the effect of the conditioner is cumulative and after each use the item becomes softer and softer.
Option No. 2
Do you urgently need to wash a woolen item, and don’t have time to look for special equipment? What you have on hand at home may well be useful, but these are still one-time solutions and next time you can make your work easier by purchasing the necessary gel and conditioner.
So let's get started:
- Pour warm water and add a teaspoon of citric acid to the basin of water, leave for 10 minutes;
- If necessary, add hot water so that the water in the basin is warm and the citric acid is completely dissolved. Place the item and leave it for 15 minutes;
- Now drain the water and rinse in one water;
- We soap the item with regular shampoo that we have at home. Leave for 5-10 minutes;
- We rinse out the shampoo, apply a thin layer of hair conditioner on both sides, yes, just like you wash your hair. Leave it to work for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly;
- We throw the item onto the net and then lay it out to dry on the fabric in a horizontal position.
Option #3
It is not separate, but rather auxiliary. Get yourself, if you don’t already have a steamer at home, or a steam cleaner, or an iron with a good steam function. In general, any technique that produces a good stream of steam. After the item is completely dry, steam it, but remember, touching the wool with an iron or hot surface is strictly prohibited.
Steamer - indispensable assistant in caring for woolen items And another option for steaming, if the item “didn’t give up” earlier - dilute a pinch of citric acid per liter of water and wet the fabric. Place the fabric on a woolen product and steam it with this solution. After this, the thing will probably become soft and “obedient”.
Option No. 4
The folk method that our great-grandmothers used. Pour 1.5-2 tablespoons of mustard powder into a basin of water with hot water and let it dissolve. Bring to a warm state and lower the item. Wait a few hours and rinse.
It was believed that mustard and dirt would absorb, remove the smell and make the wool softer. But we would recommend using mustard instead of conditioner, because it cannot cope with the persistent odor of sweat, and we live in an age when this odor is unacceptable in everyday life, but is the most common reason for washing woolen items.
How to make a woolen sweater, jacket, dress soft and not scratchy?
Another option goes well with clothes. To do this you will need vinegar and regular salt without additives. So: add 5 tablespoons of salt to 5 liters of warm water and dissolve completely. Add 5 tablespoons of vinegar or citric acid solution (a teaspoon per liter of water) and dip the item after washing in regular powder. Leave for 2-3 hours and then rinse.
If it is not summer and the item is not allowed to dry in a well-ventilated area, the smell of vinegar will remain in the item until the next wash.
In this case, there is another way:
- 1 liter of water;
- 1 teaspoon glycerin.
Soak for no more than 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly.
Glycerin is sold in pharmacies without a prescription, but if it’s not available since our grandmothers’ stockpiles, it’s easier to buy special supplies.
How to wash it and soften the wool so that it doesn’t itch?
This method is ideal for washing wool blankets and rugs. After all, sometimes it happens that you can hear them through thick home clothes. But in principle, given the composition, the product can also be tried for clothes.
So, let's take:
- 5 liters of warm water;
- 3 teaspoons of soda;
- 5 drops of ammonia.
Leave in the solution for at least an hour, or overnight. Rinse in 3-5 waters.
A down scarf is a very delicate thing and requires proper care. Depending on the color, thickness and even type of wool yarn, you should wash and dry in different ways. Learn more about caring for woolen scarves, including the famous Orenburg scarf, in our article on.
Those who studied physics well at school know that water expands at subzero temperatures and contracts at positive temperatures. Thanks to this feature, many centuries ago, women discovered that it is best to wash down and wool items in winter, as they become softer, more delicate and do not itch at all, as if they were washed in the warm season.
So, detailed instructions on how to make any woolen or downy item soft using frost or a freezer:
- We wash and rinse using any of the methods described above;
- We throw it onto the net and let the water drain, but the fabric itself should remain damp;
- Place the item in a bag and place it in the freezer or in the cold for several hours;
- Take it out and let it defrost completely, shake it and lay it out on a horizontal surface to dry. Shake during drying to help fluff up the fabric.
Video: How to make a scratchy sweater soft: “Easier than ever!”
It's hard to find warmer things for winter frosts than products made from 100% wool threads. Sweaters, jackets, pullovers, hats, scarves and mittens made of sheep wool can be sensitive skin a real problem. After all, such fibers tend to prick. Some people calmly cope with this fact, while others suffer from constant itching and discomfort. What can be done to prevent woolen items from itching, but to be gentle and gentle on delicate skin?
Man in a warm woolen sweater
Chemicals
Wool is similar in structure to human hair, and it, in turn, has the property of splitting hair. Small fibers form along the edges of the thread, irritating skin cells. Because of these qualities, the prickling effect is in many cases removed with the help of products that help small fibers smooth out and stick to the thread.
Special products produced for the care of woolen items are precisely designed to make woolen items soft. Granular powders and liquid gels, as well as special wool conditioners, can be used for gentle hand and automatic washing. The option for putting things in order depends on the recommendations stated by the manufacturer. Icons and descriptions should be found on the item's label.
The action of fabric softener and special powder is to soften the fiber and secure the fibers to the base of the pile.
Hair care products have the same effect: balms, shampoos, rinses, conditioners. It is preferable to choose cosmetics for dry, brittle and split ends to enhance the result. In addition to “treating” protruding villi, the product will have an incredible aroma and softness.
Comfortable, soft, skin-friendly woolen items
Often, having bought a woolen jumper and tried it on, a person is faced with an unpleasant tingling sensation. This is especially true for items made from 100% sheep wool.
It is important to know that a thing “bites” because of its structure. Like human hair, wool tends to split, forming small lint along the edges of the thread, which irritates the skin.
Scientists claim that the “biting” thing is good for health, but not everyone is ready to put up with discomfort for medicinal purposes. Therefore, many fashionistas and fashionistas who prefer warm clothes made of wool try by any means to soften the prickly purchase. There are several ways to make clothes softer.
Powder for woolen items
You can make wool clothes soft by using a special powder and fabric softener. The most common of them are Laska and Lenore. It is better to purchase the liquid version of the product, it works better on the fabric and does not leave streaks.
You can use special softeners for washing machine and for hand washing, you need to choose a method based on the recommendations on the tag. During hand washing, the fabric deteriorates less and the risk of distortion is reduced.
Conditioner and powder soften the fabric, fixing the lint that has come out tightly to the thread itself. The effect of the product is not long-lasting, but it tends to accumulate. With each wash the item will become a little softer.
Shampoo and hair conditioner
To make clothes softer, it is not necessary to purchase special products for woolen items. You can use shampoo or hair conditioner (preferably both), which we use to wash our hair. It is advisable that they be for dry and split ends, then the effect will be stronger. Shampoo for long-haired animals is also good for softening.
Shampoo and conditioner, or maybe 2 in 1, act like powder. They are able to soften the hair, making it a single whole, and thanks to the fragrances, your clothes will not only be more pleasant to the body, but will also smell delicious.
To soften wool items, wash them in cool water and shampoo. Squeeze a little and apply the balm evenly on both sides. Leave the item for 5 minutes, then rinse off the balm and send the clothes to dry.
To prevent a woolen item from changing shape and stretching, it must be dried only in a horizontal position.
Steaming wool
Another way to make a wool “thorn” soft is to steam it. To do this you will need: an iron or steam generator, a cloth (the size of the item being processed or larger) and citric acid. Lemon tends to soften things, and steam only enhances the effect.
To prevent wool items from itching:
- Place the clothes on the ironing board.
- Set the iron to the “wool” setting, if there is one, or just to a high temperature, but not maximum.
- Prepare a lemon solution (1 pinch per 1 liter of water).
- Dip the cloth into the solution.
- Place the damp cloth on the woolen product.
Now everything is ready, you can start the steaming process. Gently, without pressing too hard, go over the entire fabric. If you press hard, the item may stretch out, so everything needs to be done gently and with light movements. Having finished on one side, wet the fabric again and begin working on the second side of the product. When using a steam generator, the process of preparing clothes and steaming them does not change.
Mustard powder
This method, which makes it possible to make things less prickly, was used by our grandmothers long before the invention of special powders. Mustard softens the fibers, and the material becomes noticeably softer and more pleasant to the touch.
Using mustard powder to soften wool is very simple. Add 2 tbsp. l. mustard into a bowl of warm water and place the woolen product there. Leave it in the solution for an hour, then rinse thoroughly. Drain the mustard solution and rinse the clothes thoroughly. Squeeze lightly and set aside to dry.
A solution of vinegar and table salt
Vinegar perfectly softens wool fabric, making it soft and pleasant to the body. To prepare a vinegar-based solution, you need to mix the main ingredient with salt in equal proportions. For 5 liters of cool water, 1 tsp is enough. vinegar and table salt. If there is no vinegar in the house, you can replace it with citric acid.
For better results, the product should not only be rinsed in the solution, but also left to soak for 30 minutes. Since vinegar has a strong smell, even if there is only a small amount of it, it will take quite a long time to rinse the item after “bathing”. After washing the fabric under running water and getting rid of the smell, the product can be hung to dry.
Use of glycerin
The effect of using glycerin to soften wool is very similar to the previous one. It is used in the same way as a vinegar solution, the only difference is that it does not smell as strong. The solution is made in the following proportions: 1 tsp per 1 liter of running water. Glycerin can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Baking soda and ammonia
To soften wool, you can also use baking soda in combination with ammonia. For the solution you will need: 10 l. water, 1 tsp. soda and 5 drops of ammonia. Mix all ingredients.
To achieve the desired effect, place a woolen item in the resulting solution and leave for some time, about 30-40 minutes depending on its size. After the time has passed, remove the wool product and rinse in cool water.
Exposure to cold temperatures
Perhaps the most original way to make wool soft, not prickly, is to expose it to cold temperatures, in other words, to freeze it. With this method, the lint on the thread freezes and falls off, so the clothes become softer.
Since in city apartments you can’t hang things out the window, unless on an unglazed balcony, and winter is not eternal, a freezer is usually used for this method. In addition to the freezer, we will need a plastic bag.
Place the damp woolen item in a bag and place it in the freezer for a day. After taking out the product, let it defrost, then rinse it in cool water. It is better to rinse with the addition of fabric softeners presented here.
Unfortunately, all of the above methods are only suitable for slightly itchy wool. If the material itches a lot, then there is nothing you can do about it, all you have to do is endure it or wear something softer under the bottom of your woolen clothes. Therefore, if you want to purchase something made of wool, carefully look at the composition, the manufacturer, and don’t forget to touch it (it’s best to touch it to your face).
It is worth remembering that the prickliest wool is sheep's wool. As a rule, hand knitting is more rigid than industrial knitting. When purchasing, it is better to choose products not made from 100% wool, but with impurities.
If your knitted sweater is too hard and unbearably prickly, then you can either continue to tickle your nerves, or try to make sure that the sweater does not prick.
Of course, the easiest way to get rid of the discomfort caused by too stiff yarn is to wear a long-sleeve T-shirt under such a sweater.
When purchasing such an item, check what kind of wool it is knitted from. The most prickly one is sheep's wool; it is covered with very small, but at the same time very prickly scales.
However, wearing woolen items on your naked body is considered beneficial, as it is reflexology for our body. Hard hairs, irritating, stimulate nerve endings and improve blood circulation, which is very useful for many diseases.
Well, if you do not agree to put up with such reflexology, we advise you to pay attention to the following methods that experienced knitters use to soften wool yarn and the finished product.
What to do to prevent your sweater from itching
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to completely get rid of the prickly fur. You cannot change the structure of the hairs that much, but you can try to make them at least a little softer by resorting to heat treatment and various rinses.- Steaming
- Freezing
- Shampoos and conditioners
You can also use any hair balm - lay a wet sweater on the bottom of the bathtub and apply the balm evenly over it. Leave for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Don't forget to apply balm to the back of the product.
- Vinegar
- Mustard powder
- Glycerol
If you are just going to knit something from scratchy wool, then it is better not to count on the fact that in the future you will be able to make this thing much more pleasant to the body. And if we are talking about children's things, then it is better to abandon such yarn altogether.
Knitted items made from natural sheep or camel wool can save you even in the most severe frosts; these items are practical, warm and healthy. Wool thread tied on the wrist, relieves pain in the joint, and woolen socks will warm and relieve tension in the legs, a sheepskin vest effectively and gently warms the body, helping to get rid of colds and inflammatory processes.
And how offensive it sometimes is when a woolen item associated with love is refused to be worn because of its excessive prickliness. Mostly children refuse to wear it because of the hypersensitivity of children's skin, and sometimes even adults cannot tolerate stabbing torture. Is it really the fate of such practical and wonderful things to gather dust in the closet? Well, no! There are many proven folk ways solutions to this problem, let's consider them in detail.
Unpleasant prickly sensations are caused by guard hairs contained in natural wool thread. These hairs are bristly, long, and coarser than others. It is these that need to be neutralized in order to get rid of unpleasant tactile sensations.
What needs to be done to prevent woolen items from itching?
To do this, the woolen item must be soaked in warm water, placed in a plastic bag and put in the freezer overnight. Overnight the guard hairs will freeze and rise. It is these coarse hairs that must be manually pulled out using tweezers. Then dry the item in a horizontal position and wear it without any pain.
You can reduce the scratchiness of a woolen item by washing it with “Laska”, “Cashmere” and other special detergents for knitted items. When rinsing a woolen item, add any good fabric softener to the water and leave the item in the water with the rinse aid for about two hours.
Next, we place the wet woolen item on a dry towel, giving the item correct form, we begin to wrap the woolen item in a roll of towel, each time changing the wet towel for a dry one until the next towel remains dry. Afterwards, the woolen item is straightened and dried horizontally until completely dry.
For greater softness, woolen items can be washed in regular shampoo or washed entirely with any softening soap and left overnight, and in the morning rinse thoroughly, adding vinegar or citric acid to the water to soften the water.
Another effective way To get rid of the prickliness of woolen items, use mustard powder. To do this, you need to dissolve a small amount of mustard powder in warm water and rinse the woolen item thoroughly in this solution; you can leave it in this water for 30 minutes. Next, rinse in water with fabric softener.
To prevent woolen items from itching, you can rinse them in this solution: take 1 teaspoon of table salt for 10 liters of water, take 1 teaspoon of vinegar, mix everything and place the woolen item in this solution. Table salt and vinegar can be replaced with glycerin, which can be easily purchased at pharmacies or specialty stores.
After each wash, wool items become softer and softer, but remember to wring and dry them correctly each time. If washed and dried incorrectly, knitted items made from natural wool become very deformed, lose their shape, and “shrink.” All knitted items have their own level of wool stiffness, so it will be useful to alternate all the methods described above to solve the problem.
