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How to Soften Wool Sweaters:
Sweaters make a great choice for any woman's closet. From smaller body types to plus size women, many women find that the right sweaters can sometimes be difficult to find. The trick is to find a style that creates a sleek, flattering silhouette. Here are some tips for choosing the perfect women's sweater
Things You’ll Need:
Sink basin
Gentle shampoo (such as baby shampoo)
Hair conditioner (formulated for regular hair)
1 tbsp. vinegar (optional)
2 towels
Instructions:
Wash the wool item first in lukewarm water and shampoo to remove any dirt or dust. Shampoo is specially formulated for protein-based fibers, such as human hair and wool, and is much gentler than laundry soaps. Wash the item by submerging it and swishing it around. Do not wring or rub the surface or it may felt
Rinse the wool item in clear, lukewarm water of the same temperature. Temperature variation may cause wool garments like hats to felt. You can add 1 tbsp. vinegar to the rinse water help remove any residue (optional)
Fill up a new basin of clear lukewarm water and add 1 tbsp. of conditioner. Stir the water around to make sure the conditioner is well mixed into the water
Add the wool to the solution and gently submerge the item, stirring it around with your hand for 2 minutes as it absorbs the solution. If the wool item is a shaped hat or a fine weave, don't rub or agitate it roughly, as doing so may damage the texture. Remove the wool item
Fill the sink with lukewarm water again (same temperature as before). Rinse the item gently, using the same dunking and swishing process. Remove the wool item
Dry the item by rolling it gently in a dry towel, pressing it with your fingers to remove excess water. Repeat this process, using a new towel if necessary, until you have removed as much water as possible. Do not wring the item with your hands or the material may stretch
Remove it from the towel. If the item is a hat, shape it gently with your hands, then lay the garment on a fresh dry towel and let it dry
Tips & Warnings:
Use a conditioner that leaves your own hair soft and comfortable, not sticky. Try these steps out on a test piece of wool material if you are unsure. If the conditioner leaves a film on the swatch, then you are probably using a conditioner that is specially formulated. Switch to a regular conditioner. These softening steps can be used with wool yarn as well
Don't use a conditioner that is formulated for special hair conditions. Don't rub the wool or wring it. Don't vary the water temperatures. Radical changes can damage the texture of some woven items
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