Washing yarn

[Ambersafghans]

Hey gals! I have a custom order afghan to make and I was able to pick up some yarn for it at a garage sale. (Great prices!) The only problem is it smells a bit smokey. Anyone washed yarn before? Is it best to do when the afghan is made? My Mom thought that maybe we could leave the rapper on and put it on a delicate cycle in the dryer and put a febreezed cloth in it. Would that work?


Amber

[MommaChelle]

I have never washed yarn prior to making a blanket, but I know Ive read where people have washed their yarn. I think they take off the wrapper, pulling the yarn from the skein wrap it around something (like your elbow and between your thumb and first finger, or on a board around two nails), use something to tie it together at two ends, then throw it in the wash.

If anyone knows what the heck Im talking about, feel free to jump in LOL.

[rebeccav]

i understand ya!! although, i've never washed before a project either....
IMO - i would do the wrap thing that chelle was talking about, then wash in the sink with a tiny bit o baby shampoo --- and amber, i know you have that in your house :lol :bounce
then do a rinse bath, and then air dry on a coat rack or something????

[bythehook]

<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/idea.gif" /> I have heard, but never tried, that you can put the skeins in a knee high or panty hose leg, tie the top, then wash and dry it in the machines. I'd recommend removing the wrapper first of course. <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/fluffy.gif" />

[HollyM]

What type of yarn is it? Acrylic?

If it's smoke smell, I'm not sure Fabreeze is going to do it. It almost certainly needs a wash. A few months ago I got a bag on Ebay and the darn thing REEKED of smoke. I could smell it before I even opened the box it was mailed in. I doused it in fabreeze and even now I can still smell the smoke a little bit.

It's probably easier to wash the afghan after it's made but you're taking a chance something could happen after you've put all the work into it.

Skeining the yarn & rolling back into balls after washing/drying would probably be the most effective way but also the most work.

If it were me, and the yarn was cheap enough, I'd try the pantyhose idea but wash by hand and press it into a towel to get the water out.

Good luck
Holly

[Ambersafghans]

Hm, I'll think about that.
Actually, if something were going to happen to it after it is made, better here then after I deliever it! :) I know what you mean.
And actually, I don't know how much baby shampoo we have in the house. Out "baby' is three! :( But I"m sure we could find something. Thanks for the imput! Any more would be appreciated also.
Amber

[SamplerLady]

I would suggest skeining the yarn first. Wrap in in a BIG loop (around DHs hands held about 18 inches apart, or two high back dining room chairs or something comparable). Tie in at least 4 to 6 places.

Immerse in a dishpan or sink of hot soapy water and squeeze water through it several times. Rinse until clear and then rinse in water that white vinegar has been added. Hang over a hook, shower nozzel, etc., to dry.

Vinegar is the best deodorizer I know. The vinegar smell dissipates almost immediately upon drying. Vinegar also removes any residual soap or fabric conditioner giving you a "clean" product when you are finished. Especially helpful for anyone with inhalent allergies. I quit using fabric softener/conditioner about a year ago. Only use 1/2 cup white vinegar in the final rinse. Clothes, towels, sheets smell clean, not perfumed now and last a lot longer without soap residue in them. Much cheaper than all the chemically laden products. More yarn money! :))

[Ambersafghans]

It is acrylic I blieve. I"d have to double check but it's Burnet Big Value. It's not really smokey, just enough to be there. Thanks for all of the imput!
Amber