Washing Skeins at Home

Washing Skeins or Hanks of Yarn

Washing a skein of yarn allows the fibers in the yarn to loosen up and when dried, to puff up or "loft". Washing removes any lingering dirt, makes the yarn softer, smell better and any irregularities in the yarn will look less dramatic.

Instructions: Use tepid or lukewarm water only. Use same water temperature for both washing and rinsing. Do not agitate. Do not wring or twist.

Washing:

• Fill sink with water.
• Add one drop of hair shampoo.
• Gently submerge skein(s).
• Do not agitate.
• Soak for one hour or more.
• Squeeze out any excess water.
• Drain and rinse sink.

Rinsing: Fill sink with water. Optional: Add a drop of hair conditioner for added softness. Gently submerge skein(s). Squeeze out excess water. Repeat rinsing by refreshing water until water runs clean.

Drying:

• Place individual skein in center of large towel. Roll towel around skein (s) pressing as you go to remove more water.
• Hang to dry.
• Optional - Weigh down skein at one end to casually stretch while drying.

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Alpaca Garment Washing

Instructions

• Use tepid or lukewarm water only.
• Use same water temperature for both washing and rinsing.
• Do not agitate.
• Do not wring or twist.

Washing

• Fill sink with water.
• Add one drop of hair shampoo.
• Gently submerge the garment.
• Do not agitate.
• Soak for one hour or more.
• Squeeze out any excess water.
• Drain and rinse sink.

Rinsing

• Fill sink with water.
• Optional: Add a drop of hair conditioner for added softness.
• Gently submerge the garment.
• Squeeze out excess water.
• Repeat rinsing by refreshing water until water runs clean and garment is free of shampoo and conditioner residue.

Drying

• Place individual garment in center of large towel. Roll up the towel around the garment pressing as you go to remove more water.
• Lay flat to dry, hanging a wet alpaca garment can stretch the item unfavorably.

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