Key Takeaways
- Use a mild detergent suitable for delicate textiles
- Soakthe garment in soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes
- Thoroughly rinse with clear cold water
- Avoid twisting, rather wring gently
- Drying in air free, in shade
The French brand The Oversized Hoodie® 🇫🇷 is famous for its plaid sweatshirt high-end, certified Oeko-Tex® Standard 100. It is entirely vegan, free of toxic and chemical substances, and promotes a cruelty-free approach towards animals. This collection plaid with sleeves, which have also been honored by the “Confiance Textile” Quality Label , stand out for their incomparable softness and excellent value for money, providing an unrivaled feeling of comfort.
Understanding the importance of hand washing
Hand washingdelicate clothes like sweatshirts has many advantages. This manual method makes it possible to preserve the quality of fabrics within the duration.
Protect delicate clothing
Certain materials such as cotton in hooded sweatshirts are more fragile than others. machine washing, with spinning, can cause unsightly deformations. Choosing to wash your sweatshirt by hand preserves the shape of the garment and its softness.
Preserve the quality of your sweatshirts
The friction of the drum of the machine gradually alters the fibers of the fabric. By hand, the movements are gentle, prolonging the lifespan of the garment. Your sweatshirt will thus keep all its softness.
Save water and energy
manual washing consumes much less water and electricity than machine washing. It is an ecological gesture, allowing substantial savings to be made all year round.
Hand washing is not just a chore, it is a special time to take care of your clothes and give them a new lease of life.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®
Also read: When and how to wash a sweatshirt ?
Preparations before washing
A few simple steps allow you to optimize the manual washing of a sweatshirt.
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Close zippers and snaps to avoiddamaging the fabric.
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Turn the garment inside out to protect the right side.
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Brush gently the interior to remove lint and dirt.
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Treat stubborn stains beforehand with a suitable stain remover.
Find the right detergent
The choice of detergent is crucial to preserve the fibres of the sweatshirt when hand washing.
Detergent for delicate laundry
Detergents for delicate laundry, phosphate-free, are ideal for washing sweatshirts by hand. Their gentle formulation cleans deeply without altering fabrics.
Wool sweater detergent
For wool sweatshirts, opt for a special detergent wool, now the softness and the elasticity of clothing. Avoid standard detergents which could cause it to shrink or harden.
Detergent for white clothes
On white sweatshirts, preferably use a bleaching detergent** to revive the immaculate color of the fabric without damaging it.
Also read: How to machine wash a sweatshirt ?
The hand washing process
Washing your sweatshirt by hand requires a few simple steps:
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Fill a container with cold water and add the detergent following the recommended dosages.
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Immerse the sweatshirt in the solution and let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes, rubbing gently the stains.
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Rinse thoroughly with cold water, until the water is perfectly clear.
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Wring carefully, without twisting the fabric too much. squeeze it out by rolling it in a towel.
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Hang the sweatshirt out to dry in the open air, away from shelter from the sun.
Also read: Which program to wash a sweatshirt ?
Hand wash: how long to soak ?
The optimal soaking time depends on the type of sweatshirt:
Washing wool sweaters
Allow 15 to 20 minutes of soaking in soapy water for a sweater in wool, in order to remove dirt without shrinking or hardening the fabric.
Washing t-shirts and sweatshirts
For cotton sweatshirts, soak for 20 to 30 minutes in soapy water to allow the detergent to remove all stains.
Also read: How much to wash your sweatshirts ?
Spinning: how many revolutions ?
The spinning stage requires certain precautions to avoid damaging the sweatshirt:
Tip to avoid damaging fabric
Avoid twisting the sweatshirt vigorously, which could deform and weaken the fibers of the fabric.
Gentle method to remove stains
Wring gently by rolling the sweatshirt in a towel to remove excess water. Repeat until the garment is no longer dripping.
Tips for maintaining the color of the sweatshirt
For colored sweatshirts, wring first with a towel of the same color to avoid bleeding or dye transfer.
Dry the sweatshirt properly
After spinning, it is preferable to dry the sweatshirt flat, in the open air and not under the sun, to retain its colors .hanging in the shade also preserves the softness of the fabric.
Also read: How to preserve the softness of your sweatshirt ?
Our grandmother's tips for cleaning your clothes
Several care tips passed down from generation to generation allow you to remove stains and revive your clothes with natural products.
Remove traces of laundry detergent and stains on your sweatshirts
baking soda is very effective in removing laundry residue which tarnishes the white of sweatshirts. Dilute 3 tablespoons in 1 liter of water, soak clothes for 1 hour then rinse.
Restore softness and shine to a trench coat or velvet garment
To revive the softness of a trench coat or a velvet garment over the long years, rub it with a
piece of sugar before brushing delicately.
Removing a wool sweater without damaging it
On a wool sweater, gently dab the stain with moistened Marseille soap. Leave on for 5 minutes then rinse with clean water. Your sweater will regain its original appearance.
Remove stains on a sweatshirt without damaging the fabric
Gently dab the stain on the sweatshirt with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar diluted in 1/2 liter of water. This technique allows dirt to be removed without damaging delicate fabrics.
Unfastening a satin garment
To return to the shine of the first days of a satin garment stained without washing, sprinkle the stain with cornstarch, leave to act 1 hour then brush gently before tapping off the excess.
Revive the color of a sweatshirt
Spread white toothpaste on the discolored areas of a sweatshirt, rub gently with a dry towel then leave to act for 30 minutes before rinsing. The colors will regain their freshness.
Restore softness to a fuzzy sweatshirt
To revive a sweatshirt that has become fuzzy, apply white vinegar to the entire surface and gently rub with sandpaper before rinsing. The touch will become soft again as on the first day.
Refresh a sweatshirt that has shrunk
In case of shrinkage during washing, prepare a bath water and detergent specific for delicate textiles. Soak the sweatshirt for 15 minutes, stretching it gently in the opposite direction of shrinkage. Lay it flat to dry.
Follow the steps one by one and don't be afraid to take your time: this is the secret to successful hand washing that will preserve your favorite sweatshirts.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®
Also read: How to shrink a sweater that is too large effectively ?
Conclusion
Washing your sweatshirt by hand requires more time than machine washing but allows you to preserve the quality, softness and longevity of the garment, while saving money and a gesture for the planet. By choosing the right detergent and following a few simple steps, you can gently bring your favorite sweatshirt back to life .
| Step | Description | Advice | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Close the zippers, turn the sweatshirt inside out, brush the inside | Protect fabric and remove dirt | - |
| Choice of detergent | Use a suitable detergent (delicate, wool, bleaching) | Preserve fibers and color | - |
| Soaking | Immerse in soapy water | 15 to 30 minutes depending on fabric | 15-30 mins |
| Rinsing | Rinse with cold water until clear | Remove all laundry detergent | Variable |
| Spin | Wring without twisting, rolling in a towel | Preserve shape and fibers | Variable |
| Drying | Dry flat, in the shade | Preserve colors and softness | Variable |
FAQ
How to properly wash a sweatshirt ?
- Use a detergent suitable for cotton or wool
- Soak in soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes
- Rinse well then wring without twisting too much
- Dry flat, away from the sun
What to do when you don't have a washing machine ?
Prefer hand washing which better preserves the delicate fibers of the sweatshirts. Dip in soapy water, rub gently then rinse thoroughly with clean water before drying.
How to wash a white sweatshirt by hand ?
To revive the color of a white sweatshirt without damaging it, use a whitening detergent. Leave to soak for 20 minutes in soapy water then rinse and dry away from the sun.
How to clean a sweatshirt without damaging it ?
Always wash your sweatshirt inside out in cold water. Choose a detergent suitable for delicate textiles, soak then rinse thoroughly. Avoid twisting, wring gently.
Wringing wool: how many turns ?
To wring a wool sweater, avoid twisting too much or doing more than 2 to 3 turns. Instead, wring out by rolling gently in a towel to preserve the fiber.
Sources
[1] "How to Do Laundry Without Ruining Your Clothes", Consumer Reports
[2] "How to Hand Wash Your Clothes in 6 Easy Steps", Good Housekeeping
