How to wash an acrylic sweater?

Acrylic cardigans and sweaters are one of the most popular types of cold weather clothing. They are soft and quite practical. But, if you wear a sweater every day, it quickly gets dirty and requires getting rid of the dirt. How to wash things made of synthetic material so that they do not lose their shape?

Characteristics and features of the material

An artificial material such as acrylic is very light and soft in texture, but at the same time its threads are quite strong, which makes it possible to create products that retain heat. Items made from this fiber practically do not wrinkle, have good wear resistance and dry quickly after washing. Acrylic sweaters have a rich range of colors, as this material takes paint well and holds any shade for a long time without fading in the sun.

The big advantage is that acrylic, compared to natural wool, does not shrink after washing in hot water. But, in addition to the advantages, there are also disadvantages, although there are not many of them. An acrylic sweater is prone to pilling, it can become electrified, and when washed in too hot water, the fibers stretch, resulting in the product being deformed.

How to properly wash an acrylic sweater?

Sweatshirts and cardigans made of acrylic require special care. This is due to the fact that synthetic fibers are afraid of hot water, and heavy soiling cannot be washed off in cold water. Therefore, do not wear out the item, try to wash it every few days. In addition, acrylic jumpers are prone to pilling. To prevent them from appearing, add fabric softener or fabric softener to the water during washing.

If you prefer to wash by hand using laundry soap, for light-colored acrylic items, purchase a light-colored soap. When washing, use plenty of clean water; artificial fibers firmly hold the alkali contained in the powder and it must be rinsed thoroughly. After washing, it is recommended to wring the product by hand so as not to stretch the fine fibers.

In the washing machine or by hand?

Before answering this question, you need to figure out what kind of thing is in front of you. Carefully examine the label sewn onto the reverse side of the sweater. If it states that the item is 100% synthetic fiber, it can be machine washed. Most products contain both synthetic and natural fibers, such as wool, cotton, and angora. This should be indicated on the label. Such products It is permissible to wash only by hand or when washing by machine, turn on the “Wool” or “Delicate Wash” mode.

Washing algorithm

Step-by-step algorithm for hand washing:

• a stain formed on a sweater requires pre-soaking;
• greasy stains can be washed off with laundry soap;
• It is not recommended to strongly rub the sweater fibers against each other;
• rinse the product thoroughly in clean water after washing;
• while rinsing, add 1 tbsp of vinegar to the water;
• After washing, gently squeeze out the water and let it drain on its own;
• Wrap the sweater in a towel to absorb excess moisture.

Machine wash algorithm:

• first remove all stains from the product;
• It is not recommended to overload the drum with other things; leave it half free;
• turn the sweater inside out and load it into the machine;
• in addition to the powder, be sure to add rinse aid;
• set the “Wool”, “Synthetics” or “Delicate Wash” mode;
• permissible water temperature 40 degrees;
• turn off the “Spin” and “Drying” modes.

How to remove stains?

All stains on an acrylic product must be removed before the main wash. Soak the sweater in cool water and treat the stain. Preferably all stains must be removed immediately before they become embedded in the fibers, but you can also deal with an old stain. It's difficult to combat stains with water alone, so you'll need cleaning products.

Dilute washing powder or laundry soap in water. After lowering the sweater into the basin, gently rub the stain and leave the sweater to soak for 20-30 minutes. This time is enough for the alkali to penetrate the fibers and remove the stain. After this, you can begin the main wash.

Subtleties of drying

You need to dry an acrylic sweater in the same way as wool and knitwear. The optimal method would be horizontal drying. Spread a large thick towel on a hard surface and carefully lay the sweater on it.Straighten out all the folds, align the seams and collar, it is permissible to bend the sleeves in half. Leave the jacket in this state until it dries completely.

It is not recommended to dry acrylic items hanging on a clothesline or hanger, as this may deform the item.