Key Takeaways
- Soaking the rough sweater in a mixture of lukewarm water and white vinegar helps soften the fibers.
- Using baking soda or vegetable glycerin when washing naturally softens the fabric.
- Put the sweater in the freezer a few days before letting it dry at room temperature recovers its softness.
The French brand The Oversized Hoodie® 🇫🇷 is famous for its giant sweater 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. These clothes which have also been honored by the “Confiance Textile” Quality Label, are distinguished by their incomparable softness and their excellent quality-price ratio, providing a feeling of unrivaled comfort.
Introduction
A cozy wool sweater is a winter essential to face winter temperatures in style. Unfortunately, after a few washes, the fiber can become rough, losing its initial softness.
Whether in wool, cashmere or alpaca, finding the flexibility of a rough sweater is entirely possible thanks to natural solutions . With our advice, softening your rough clothes has never been easier!
- 30 minutes - The recommended time to soak a wool sweater in a mixture of lukewarm water and white vinegar to soften the fibers. [1]
- 2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin mixed with 2 teaspoons of white vinegar makes an effective "home softener" for itchy sweaters. [1]
- Sensitive areas such as the neck and chest are particularly prone to itching caused by raised wool fibers. [1]
Also read: How to Recover a Pilling Sweater ?
Understand why a sweater becomes rough
How does wool react to water and heat ?
wool is a natural fiber composed of keratin proteins. When exposed to hot water, these proteins shrink, causing shrinkage of the tissue. The microscopic scales present on the surface of the fibers then rise, creating a rough surface to the touch.
In addition, excessive heat when washing or drying can damage the very structure of wool, making it brittle and less soft. This is why it is essential to follow the care instructions to preserve the softness of your sweaters.
As the founder of The Oversized Hoodie®, I can assure you that respect for natural fibers is at the heart of our concerns. Improper washing can quickly alter the softness and quality of a wool sweater. This is why we strongly recommend following our care tips to preserve the beauty of your favorite pieces.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®
Why does a wool sweater shrink after washing ?
The phenomenon of shrinkage of wool sweaters after washing is mainly due to mechanical friction in the washing machine. The fibers become entangled and compact, forming a tissue that is denser and smaller than the original.
The type of wash program chosen also plays a crucial role. A cycle that is too hot or too vigorous can speed up the felting process, making the sweater rough and shrunken. It is recommended to use a delicate program at low temperature to preserve the shape and texture of the wool.
Felted wool: what is it ?
When a wool sweater has felted, this means that its fibers have intertwined in a compact and tight manner, forming a thick and rigid fabric. This process is caused by the combination of hot water, mechanical friction and the action of aggressive detergents.
A felted sweater loses its initial shape, becomes smaller and takes on a rough appearance to the touch. Although this phenomenon is irreversible, there are tips to try to restore a little flexibility and softness.
Just 2 weeks ago, a loyal customer of The Oversized Hoodie® contacted us, worried that her favorite wool sweater was gradually losing its initial softness.
After listening carefully to his maintenance habits, we were able to guide him towards the right actions to adopt. A few weeks later, she told us of her relief at finding all the softness of her favorite item of clothing.
It is always an immense satisfaction for us to see our customers preserve the quality of our creations over time.
Also read: Fuzzy sweater: how to remove pilling ?
Hand or machine wash: impact on the texture of the sweater
Precautions to take when machine washing
Although hand washing is recommended to preserve the softness of wool sweaters, it is possible to machine wash them provided certain precautions are taken. First, choose a delicate program with low temperature (maximum 30°C) and low spin.
Place your sweaters in a net or pillowcase to avoid excessive friction during washing. In addition, only use detergents specific for wool and avoid softeners which can alter the fiber.
The importance of choosing the washing program
The choice of washing program is crucial to preserve the texture of your wool sweaters. Too hot or too vigorous a cycle can cause unwanted felting, making the fabric rough and rough.
Always opt for a wool program or delicate at low temperature (maximum 30°C) and low spin (600 rpm maximum). This combination will effectively clean your sweaters while preserving their softness and their original shape.
The role of washing products in the hardening of wool
The detergent products used during washing can also have a significant impact on the texture of wool. Conventional detergents often contain harsh chemicals that can alter the fiber and make it rough.
Choose detergents specially formulated for wool or natural products such as Marseille soap or baking soda. Also avoid synthetic softeners which can leave a residue on the fabric, making it rougher.
Also read: How to Effectively Remove Pilling from a Wool Sweater ?
Relaxing a shrunken wool sweater: effective solutions
Use a solution of water and vinegar to relax the wool
A simple and natural tip for relaxing a wool sweater that has shrunk is to immerse it in a mixture of cold water and white vinegar. Vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener, helping to loosen tangled fibers.
In a basin, mix 1 liter of cold water with 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Dip your sweater in the solution and let it soak for at least 30 minutes, gently stretching it from time to time. Then rinse with clean water and dry flat, continuing to stretch it to restore its original shape.
How to enlarge a wool sweater that has shrunk ?
If your wool sweater has significantly shrunk after improper washing, you can try to return it to its original size using a stretching method. After soaking it in a solution of water and vinegar, squeeze it gently without twisting it.
Then lay it flat on a flat surface and begin to gently stretch it in all directions, paying particular attention to the sleeves and lower body. Secure it with weights or clothespins to maintain the new shape while drying. Repeat the operation if necessary until you obtain the desired size.
Recovering a felted sweater: is it possible ?
Unfortunately, once a wool sweater has completely felted, it is very difficult to restore it to its original appearance. The felting process is irreversible and the fibers are now permanently entangled.
However, you can try to soften the texture slightly by soaking it in a solution of warm water and vegetable glycerin. Glycerin acts as a natural emollient, helping to relax fibers. After soaking, gently stretch the sweater and let it dry flat. Although the result will not be perfect, this method can make the sweater a little more comfortable to wear.
Also read: How to Enlarge a Shrunken Sweater ?
Softening a fabric that is too stiff: tips and practical advice
Using baking soda to soften fabric
baking soda is a natural ally for softening rough fabrics. Simply add 1/2 cup to the machine drum before the wash cycle. It helps regulate the pH of the water, thus preventing premature wear of textile fibers.
Make a rough sweater soft with white vinegar
To restore flexibility to a wool sweater that has become rough, immerse it in a bath of lukewarm water with 1 glass of white vinegar. Leave to soak for 30 minutes before rinsing well. The vinegar relaxes the tangled fibers for a softer result .
The softening effect of glycerin on rough sweaters
Vegetable glycerin also works wonders on stiffened tissues. Dilute 5 tablespoons in distilled water with a few drops of essential oil. Spray or soak your sweater in this solution to restore its initial softness.
Also read: How to Shrink a Sweater that is Too Large ?
Prevent wool from drying out and hardening
Good washing practices to preserve the softness of wool
To prevent your wool sweaters from becoming rough, follow these tips: wash them by hand in low-calcareous water at 30°C maximum, without wringing them. Rinse thoroughly and dry flat, stretching them gently.
How to prevent wool from felting ?
Felt is responsible for stiffening wool fibers. To prevent this, wash your sweaters in a net or laundry bag, cold and on a delicate cycle. Avoid the dryer which speeds up felting. Dry flat, stretching regularly.
At The Oversized Hoodie®, we are committed to offering durable clothing that will last you a long time. By following our washing and care tips adapted to wool, you will be able to fully enjoy the incomparable softness of our sweaters for many years.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®
Also read: How to Remove Pills from a Wool Coat ?
Conclusion
Recovering a rough sweater is possible thanks to simple and natural methods. It is important to understand the causes of hardening of wool and to follow good practices for washing . To preserve the quality of wool, it is important to use suitable products and to respect the recommended dosages.
| Solution | Description | Application | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Vinegar | Soaking in a mixture of warm water and vinegar | 30 minutes soaking | Fiber softening |
| Baking Soda | Added during washing | Incorporated into the wash cycle | Natural softening of the fabric |
| Vegetable Glycerin | Used as a natural softener | Applied before drying | Softness Recovery |
| Freezer | Low temperature exposure | A few days in the freezer | Restoring softness |
FAQ
How to soften a fabric that is too stiff ?
To soften a fabric too stiff, it is possible to use simple and natural methods, such as bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar or glycerin.
How to soften rough laundry ?
To softenrough laundry, it is possible to use simple and natural methods , such as bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar or glycerin.
How to make a rough sweater soft ?
To make a sweater rough soft, it is possible to use simple and natural methods, such as baking soda, white vinegar or glycerin.
Why is my laundry stiff after washing ?
The laundry may become stiff after washing due to the use of unsuitable products, high temperatures or drying too fast.
How to unfelt a sweater ?
To dethatch a pull, it is possible to use simple and natural methods, such as bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar or glycerin.
References
[1] "How to soften an itchy sweater", Damart
