I have shrunk my hamster jumper!

[herbi7]

My poor jumper which is a lambswool one which the hams loved snuggling in has got shrunk! It was part of my general clean-up and disinfect after I lost willow so I put it in the machine with all my other jumpers thinking it would be ok, fairly low temp on a wool setting, but it came out matted and half the size... Literally! Does anyone know a way of fixing it?

[Pebbles82]

Afraid not herbi. Once they have shrunk and gone matted they aren't quite the same again, although you could wash it again, on its own. You need to put it on wool wash or I sometimes put it on hand wash setting if there is one, and use some of the Persil wool wash liquid (not normal washing powder/liquid). If there's a temperature setting, set it to the lowest one (no more than 30 degrees) although technically a wool wash programme should wash it on cold or no more than 30 degrees. Then when it is still wet, you can stretch it and shape it and lay it out flat to dry. Either on top of a towel on a flat drying rack, or if you haven't got a flat top to a drying rack, just drape it over a radiator. The important thing is stretching it to the size and shape and proportions, pulling it length and widthways (including the neck and arms) gently. It might go back to the right size then but will probably stay a bit matted as the actual individual fibres have been shrunk. I'm sure the hams will still love it lol. I wash all wool jumpers and handwash items in the washing machine, but using the right wool wash stuff and programme/temperature is important.

This is the stuff I use. You can buy it in most supermarkets.

Persil Silk And And Wool Washing Liquid 15 Wash 750Ml - Groceries - Tesco Groceries It comes with a kind of semi round ball measuring cup on top. I use the lowest measuring mark for everything. Fill the cup to the lowest mark with the liquid and place the ball in the machine on top of the jumper, so the open side is up and the liquid doesn't immediately spill out x
Sometimes there is leftover clogged up washing powder/liquid in the compartment tray that gets into your wash and affects the jumpers, so clean out the compartment tray before using the wool wash. Ours just pulls right out and I clean it under the tap and stick it back in again.

[herbi7]

Thanks serendipity! I'll wash it again. I usually use the ecover wool wash stuff, I think Sainsbury s do it. I think the trouble was I was being quick and just chucked it in after doing my usual wash so you're probably right, some normal powder got in too. I was so cross with myself, my other jumpers were fine but I wash them regularly whereas my designated hamster jumper smells of hamsters for their sake so I don't wash it much and if I do, I do it by hand! I read somewhere that putting conditioner on shrunk jumpers helps the fibres relax, but haven't tried it and Tbh not sure if they meant fabric conditioner or hair conditioner!

[Pebbles82]

Lol! I never put conditioner in when I use the persil stuff, it doesn't seem to need it - makes them lovely and soft. Good luck!