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Cleaning Up:  HELP! HOW TO CLEAN WOOL?  |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 02 2009 : 1:03:51 PM
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My Irish handmade wool Dolman cape arrived today...an E-Bay find and it is filthy. It says dry clean on the label, but I never had any luck with dry-cleaners in our area. Anything I brought in looked the same when I picked it up! Also, this cape REEKS of cigarette smoke.
It could be a very lovely cape.
Any ideas on how to clean this other than the drycleaners?
Thanks girls!!
Melody
http://melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.bythebayhandcraftedsoap.com
www.LemonVerbenasoap.etsy.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2009 : 1:24:51 PM
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You can handwash it very carefully in cold water. I would suggest using a wool geared soap such as woolite, Dreft (gentle) or handmade laundry soap. I would also put some baking soda in the wash water. Fill your tub or sink or basin with water. Let it soak in the soap/baking soda solution for up to half an hour, then gather the material in your hand or lift from the bottom and lift and dunk several times. You don't want warm water or twisting/rubbing motion as this can cause felting. After it looks like it is coming clean or the water is Saturated with dirt, drain and repeat process until water runs clear when you lift the cape. Again be really careful not to do any rubbing, wringing or such like motions. Rise until water runs clear. You can gently push the water out of the material without wringing or rubbing. Then lay flat to dry. If it still stinks of cigarette smoke after it has dried all the way, try spritzing it with vinegar and then letting it air dry.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
Edited by - Alee on Feb 02 2009 1:25:15 PM |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2009 : 1:28:35 PM
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Awesome....Thanks Alee! I never would have thought of the baking soda in the wash but it makes perfect sense. I'll give it a try.
Off to the store for some DREFT...gosh I haven't bought that in years!! |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2009 : 3:12:55 PM
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Do they still make Dreft? We used that to wash dishes with when I was a kid, and there was almost always a washcloth in the box. Talk about cheap thrills! I sometimes wash my wool things in a little ivory liquid or mild castile soap...It often takes a few washes if you've got something filthy, but wool is such good stuff. I always get so annoyed when a label says dry clean only on silk or wool, both of which can be washed by hand at home. I just don't trust all those awful chemicals at hte drycleaners....
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2009 : 3:48:35 PM
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I remember getting washcloths in powdered clothes soap!I can see the box, just can't remember the label! Karen... I had a bottle of Ivory liquid in my hand at Wal-mart and put it back! I bought some wool-lite instead. I don't trust dry-cleaning at all and it's so expensive. Wish me luck! I am cleaning the cape in the tub tonight. Tomorrow our whole block is going to be without water all day. A big main at the end of our little street broke and GALLONS of water is currently pouring out! What a mess and what a waste!
Thanks ladies for all the good advice!
Melody
http://melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.bythebayhandcraftedsoap.com
www.LemonVerbenasoap.etsy.com
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2009 : 2:42:21 PM
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I take in laundry from time to time and I'll tell you there is NOTHING that takes out cigarette smoke from the clothing of a person who smokes constantly and whose environment reeks of smoke.
I believe most dry cleaners have a kind of ozone machine or something that they put in a room with a smokey garment and that will remove the smell. I'm sure its expensive.
Jana |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Cleaning Up: HELP! HOW TO CLEAN WOOL? |
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HELP! HOW TO CLEAN WOOL?
