do you iron sweaters after washing them?

crazyone

It's been an embarrassingly long time since I've washed my sweaters, especially since I always wear them with underlayers. But I finally put them all in the washing machine under the delicate cycle, and now they're hanging to dry. They look like they're hanging ok, but they all look a bit wrinkly. How do I deal with this? Is low ironing ok?

Advice appreciated

13 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I usually dry sweaters laying flat so the weight of the sweater doesn't create those little hanger bumps at the shoulders. I have a steamer and use it instead of the iron on many items. I find that the iron can create almost a shadow effect on the knits so the steamer is better - faster too.

13 years ago

Carole

Veteran

If I use the iron, I use a cloth between the sweater and the iron to protect it.

13 years ago

crazyone

Veteran

dianthus, I'm hanging them on a drying rack so there are no hanger bumps involved. Unfortunately, I don't have a steamer, so does anyone have any other suggestions?

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I never iron. =P

You should block sweaters to dry, ideally. Just press out the excess liquid with a towel (do not wring!) and lay them flat on another dry towel. You can pull them out to the right shape and then smooth them with your hands when they are wet and they should stay that way when dry.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

ditto Diana! I twice a year or so break out the iron for rayon wovens that just won't behave I also block sweaters and kind of spread/pet them when they are almost dry to kind of smooth out the wrinkles.

13 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Most of my sweaters shake out wrinkles after drying if they have a few, but I do have some that I have to iron lightly - mostly they're cotton or linen and summer weight, something about the lighter weight sweaters makes them wrinkle more. If you have a regular iron you can 'steam' as well just by setting it on steam and holding it a couple inches away from the piece.

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I have never, and would never, iron a sweater. I'd be very concerned about ruining it. If the wrinkles aren't too bad, wearing it for an hour will probably smooth them out just fine.

Otherwise, I'd toss them in a Dry-EL bag, which is akin to steaming them. I always cut the Dry-El sheet in half or even in thirds. (Save the rest in a ziploc baggie and it'll stay moist for next load). That cuts down the expense substantially. It also works just as well, if not better. Dry-El is particularly awesome for sweaters.

13 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Another option would be to put the items in the dryer on low heat with a damp cloth AFTER they are already dry . A few minutes should remove any wrinkles without damaging the sweater.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have never ironed a sweater! I have a small steamer that works well for getting rid of creases, and I also do the Dryel treatment. With my washable knits, I find that wrinkles fall out as the item dries flat, although sometimes a bit of shaping helps when it's still damp.

13 years ago

crazyone

Veteran

thanks for the advice, everyone! Maybe next time I'll try a Dryel bag.

They're not too badly wrinkled, so I guess I'll just hang them up and assume that body heat will take care of the wrinkles that are there.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I never iron sweaters but also never wash them in the washer, even on hand wash. if they spin, that may be the source of the wrinkles. I do what Diana does, smoothing them on a flat counter on a towel on top of a flat rack (or top of the dryer if it fits).
The Dryell sounds like a good idea now even if just a damp washcloth is added to the bag. You could also try a wrinkle release spray when dry and hung. Spray and tug the wrinkled part gently to smooth.

13 years ago

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