Washing an acrylic sweater in a washing machine

Cozy and warm, acrylic sweaters are a popular choice in colder weather. However, a lot of people are unsure if it’s okay to wash them in the washing machine. Even though acrylic is a strong synthetic fabric, cleaning should be done carefully to prevent damage.

You can safely wash your acrylic sweater in the washing machine without having to worry about shrinking, stretching, or pilling if you follow the proper settings and procedures. You can prolong the appearance and comfort of your sweater by knowing how to properly care for it.

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Features of automatic washing

Items made of acrylic can typically be cleaned using an automatic machine. It’s sufficient to read the product label to be positive about this. The care instructions for the sweater can be found by referring to the symbols on the tag. Since acrylic is a synthetic material, high temperatures cannot be applied to it. This is a crucial guideline that needs to be observed. The sweater will become less supple after coming into contact with hot water; it might also stretch or, on the other hand, shrink a few sizes.

An acrylic sweater should be washed in a specific mesh bag to prevent the item from deforming.

Examine the cardigan’s fabric closely before stuffing it into the drum. Pre-soak the sweater in soapy water for 20 to 30 minutes if there is a lot of dirt on it. If the sweater has a stain that is hard to get rid of, it should be done ahead of time with specific products.

It’s important to heed the following advice when machine-washing acrylic items:

• do not put a lot of laundry in the drum, this can contribute to the appearance of numerous creases on the acrylic;
• the washing temperature should not exceed 40°C;
• instead of washing powder, it is advisable to use a gel for washing delicate fabrics. Liquid detergents dissolve faster in cold water and are better rinsed out of the fibers;
• preferable automatic mode – delicate or hand wash, it is allowed to run the "Synthetics" or "Wool" program;
• it is advisable to use a conditioner-rinse, it will give the sweater softness, reduce the risk of pellets on the fabric.

On occasion, you may notice from reading the sweater’s label that it contains some wool in addition to 100% synthetic materials. Machine washing is typically permitted for products containing more than 50% artificial fibers; if the percentage is lower, hand washing is advised.

You can use oxygen bleach to wash a white acrylic sweater if necessary. It is crucial that there be no chlorine in the mixture.

Traditional care

You will need to stop using the automatic washer when the sweater has embellishments like beads, sequins, or other decorations. The same goes for big knit cardigans: machine processing raises the possibility of weave distortion. Thus, hand washing such clothing would be the best course of action. The following is the action algorithm:

• fill a basin with cool water (the optimal washing temperature is 25-30 ° C), add detergent for delicate fabrics;
• put the sweater in a container, wash the sleeves, cuffs, collar area. Leave the item to soak for 15-20 minutes;
• wash the sweater with gentle crumpling movements;
• rinse the cardigan several times in cold water.

It is not possible to forcefully rub acrylic; doing so will cause the material to break, lose its shape, and cause pellets to appear on the fabric.

It’s best to add an antistatic conditioner to the water before giving an acrylic sweater one last rinse. Wearing it will not cause the item to become "electrified," soften the fabric, and impart a subtle scent.

How to carefully remove moisture from a sweater?

Drying an acrylic cardigan correctly is equally important. It is acceptable to squeeze a sweater in a car washer at minimum speeds (no more than 400 per minute). The jacket must remain somewhat damp after being removed from the drum.

It is strictly prohibited to twist the eraser with force in order to remove excess water if it was erased by hand. Stretching synthetic fibers can cause damage to them. You can cover the sweater with a terry towel and squeeze it a little bit because the canvas will absorb extra moisture.

There are some rules to follow when drying the acrylic sweater to prevent it from losing its shape. The product cannot be laid out on a heating radiator as this will likely cause the material to shrink and leave traces on the fabric. An acrylic sweatshirt should never be hung from a rope or your shoulders because it will sag.

To iron out the creases in a cardigan, gently squeeze and shake it a little. Place the item to dry horizontally. The sweater must be placed on top of a dry towel that has been spread out on the table. Remember to shape the sweater by cutting off the bottom and straightening the sleeves and collar. Clothes made of acrylic dry like this.

An acrylic sweater should not be ironed or steam-pressed as this can easily damage the fabric. Items containing a blend of wool or cotton fibers are an exception. After that, ironing through a layer of gauze at a minimum temperature is permitted.

Is it possible to restore a shrunken sweater?

In order to keep a synthetic cardigan from shrinking, you should use a gentle automatic mode and closely monitor the washing temperature, making sure it stays within the maximum allowable value. However, you shouldn’t be alarmed if the sweater continues to shrink; you can usually get your favorite item back in its original shape.

The miscommunication can be resolved by resoaking the acrylic in cold water and adding a softening conditioner before rinsing. After soaking in a basin for fifteen to twenty minutes, the sweater should be wrapped in a sheet or towel and gently wrung out. After that, the sweater needs to be carefully stretched evenly in all directions on a horizontal surface. Stretching the material every 30 minutes is required while the cardigan dries.

It is preferable to walk in a damp, shrunken sweater until the item dries, if at all possible.

There’s an additional, more involved method for getting acrylic apparel back to its original shape. A solution needs to be made, so combine water, laundry soap shavings, turpentine (15 ml), and ammonia (15 ml), thoroughly mixing the ingredients. For a day, the sweater is submerged in this liquid. The cardigan is soaked, stretched, and dried on the countertop with an extra terry towel underneath to absorb any remaining moisture.

If you follow the proper instructions, washing an acrylic sweater in a washing machine can be simple. You can lessen the likelihood of causing harm to the fabric by using cold water and a gentle cycle. To lessen wear and friction on the exterior, it’s also a good idea to flip the sweater inside out.

Your acrylic sweater will remain looking newer for longer if you use a mild detergent made for delicate materials. Fabric softeners and bleaches can weaken fibers, so stay away from using them. To prevent stretching after washing, give the sweater a new shape and let it air dry on a flat surface.

Your acrylic sweater will last longer and look nicer for many seasons if you take a little extra care when washing and drying it.

It is feasible and convenient to wash an acrylic sweater in a washing machine, but care must be taken not to harm the fabric. To preserve the sweater’s fibers, wash it on a delicate cycle with cold water and a light detergent. For added protection, you can place it in a mesh laundry bag. To keep the sweater soft and in shape, air dry it flat.

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