Sweaters belong to knitted clothing, and knitted fabrics are a large variety of fabrics made by connecting and threading coils together. Knitted fabrics have good elasticity, moisture absorption and breathability, comfort and warmth. The main raw materials are natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool, as well as chemical fibers such as nylon, acrylic, and polyester. They are woven into knitted fabrics, with a variety of changes and a fashionable appearance.
Due to the special nature of knitted fabrics, how to wash them has become particularly important. How to clean knitwear without shrinking or deforming?
1 Washing method
1. First, pick up the sweater and shake off the dust on it. Then soak it in cold water for 10-15 minutes. After removing it, squeeze out the water and gently rub it in laundry detergent solution or soap solution. Rinse it with clean water. To ensure the color of the yarn, 2% acetic acid (edible vinegar is also acceptable) can be added to water to neutralize residual soap. This reduces the possibility of the knitted sweater becoming larger after washing.
2. Washing knitwear with a softener (it is best not to use this method for white clothes) can not only remove dust, but also prevent the knitwear from getting bigger after washing. It can also keep the yarn from fading and extend its service life.
The washing method is to use 1 pot of boiling water, add an appropriate amount of softener, let the softener soak through, let the water cool, soak the sweater (thread) in tea for 15 minutes, then gently rub it a few times, and rinse it clean with clean water.
3. White knitwear will gradually turn black over time. If the knitted sweater is cleaned and placed in the refrigerator for 1 hour to freeze, it may cause the sweater to become larger after washing, so it should be taken out and air dried again to be as white as new. If the dark knitted sweater is stained with dust, you can use a sponge dipped in water, squeeze it dry, and gently wipe it.
2 Air drying
1. Avoid exposure to sunlight as it can damage its luster and elasticity, causing it to turn yellow or black. After washing, knitwear should be dried in a well ventilated and dry place, preferably flat and arranged according to the original shape of the clothing to avoid deformation. Prevent knitwear from getting bigger after washing and also avoid ironing.
2. If it cannot be placed flat, it is best to put it in a net bag and dry it in the shade.
3 Maintenance
1. When wearing a knitted sweater, there will always be friction, and the fibers in the fabric will loosen during movement, entangle with each other, and be kneaded into knots, forming a fluffy ball shape that affects the appearance. To reduce pilling, try to avoid friction with objects with rough surfaces. Some areas that have more friction opportunities, such as sleeves and tabletops, sofa armrests, inner pockets with wallets, etc., as well as long-term backpacks, wearing rough jackets without lining, especially those that are prone to pilling, should be minimized as much as possible.
2. For the less visible pilling in the local area, you can gently remove it with your fingers or use small scissors to cut it off. Use a cloth brush to brush it smoothly. For larger areas with more pilling, you can first lay the knitted sweater flat on a flat tabletop, use a brush to lightly brush the dust according to the needle marks of the fabric, straighten and tighten it, use a special electric shaver to gently vertically suck the ball, clean it with a brush, and if possible, use a steam iron to iron it immediately, it will be as clean as new, without damaging the knitted sweater at all!
4 Precautions
1. Various detergents can be used, and it can be hand washed or machine washed, but chlorine bleaching is not recommended, and hot water should not be used for washing.
2. White clothes can be washed at high temperatures with alkaline detergents, which have a bleaching effect.
3. The soaking time of the fabric should not be too long to avoid fading.
4. It is advisable to dry in the shade and avoid exposure to sunlight to prevent dark colored clothing from fading. When drying in sunlight, the inside should be facing outward.
5. Be sure to wash separately from other clothes and do not wash them together.
6. Never wring it dry to avoid wrinkles.
