Input on Knit Detergents
January 30, 2008 by knitterbunny
I need your comments, your input, your thoughts, and reactions. I have some Eucalan wool wash. I like it. The lavender scent is nice, I believe that it has enough detergent to wash the ick from my hand knits, and it isn’t too expensive. I also have some Soak wash. The scents are a bit strong for my tastes, though fairly pleasant, I believe that is has enough detergent to wash the ick from my handknits, but it is a bit more expensive.
I’ve considered Kookaburra (spelling?) and Unicorn wool washes, but haven’t tried either. What detergents do you employ when washing your handknits? Why do you like them?
For some reason I have it in my head that socks need a stronger detergent than the lace that is my other staple. A medium detergent would be more appropriate for sweaters, scarves, mitss, etc. It may not be true at all, but that is what has been in my head. Am I completely batty? Do you wash all of your handknits with the same detergents or do you use different ones for different levels of “clean”?
I use “Suave*” on my socks–if they’re handwash which is like two pairs I think. The rest get whatever the hell the rest of the laundry gets.
*shampoo!
I just use a bit of shampoo for blocking. For laundry, we use Dr. Broffenbrenner’s peppermint soap. I am violently allergic to both soap and detergent, so we do a second wash to get rid of the soap. Everything here is pretty clean!
I’ve only tried Kookaburra and I like it. Nice smell and does the job
I’m currently using Kookaburra, mostly because some blogger somewhere mentioned it on her blog just before I went to my LYS to buy wool wash. I like it fine, but really have no basis for comparison. I use it for all the knitting I have to hand wash, mostly because I’m lazy.
I love my Euclan, it seems to leave everything super soft and smelling wonderful.
However, if I need a stronger detergent, I use a smidge of Trader Joe’s Lavender scented liquid laundry soap. I use that on everything. It’s effective without having a lot of chemicals and has a built in soy based fabric softener.
I could do commercials for it! LOL!!
I lurve Kookaburra - but can no longer find it locally and refuse to pay for shipping to get it - when I see it, I buy it. I have Eucalan but recently had a issue with a pair of handyed socks that faded and I was informed that SOAK is the best for handdyed knits - I just purchased some and will give it a whirl. I have also used Tom’s of Maine Lavendar wash - me likey if you want that lavendarish smell.
I love Eucalan. I just tried SOAK and all it did was make everything smell like wet wool with perfume on top. The Eucalan seems to neutralize the wet wool smell - at least, to me it does (and RR agrees - he’s a closet wool sniffer, you know) ;o)
OH, I totally hear you about the sock thing…I tried hand-washing them in Eucalan for a while, and they just never seemed REALLY clean. So now we wash them on the regular cycle, with detergent and softener (no bleach, though) and hang-dry them. I honestly think it makes them softer!
Everything else I use Eucalan or Soak.
I use WoolyWash. But now that I have a front load washer with a hand wash cycle I use the All Free detergent called for by front loaders.
Eucalan or Kookaburra are what I use. I like them both. I use the Kookaburra Scour as well to wash fleece and it does a wonderful job.
I LOVE Kookaburra. The scent lingers longer than Eucalan, and it smells better than any of the Soak varieties. It’s also so pretty cheap… I got a huge jug of it for $10.
For socks, I actually don’t handwash those. I throw them in with my other laundry and wash them in cold water with regular detergent, and then hang them to dry. I haven’t had a problem yet!
I have Eucalan and Soak. My socks and hand wash sweaters go into the washer full of water. They soak (no agitating) for a while, then spin to get rid of all the water. Everything line dries or dries flat somewhere. I don’t really have a preference on which one cleans better.
I love Kookabura wool wash. It is antibacterial and antifungal so I even use it on my bed linens. It smells great and the smell lasts. Here is a link to the website to read about it.http://www.cottontailbaby.com/item_123/Kookaburra-Wool-Wash.htm
Even with the shipping it’s worth it for 16 ounces.
Do I sound like a salesman? I’m not just a satisfied customer.
Obviously I’m behind on blog reading as well as blog writing. I throw my handknit socks in the washer with the rest of my laundry, including Tide, Oxyclean…you name it. I wash everything in cold water so I don’t worry about felting. After they’re dry, I put all of my line-dry stuff in the dryer on the no-heat cycle with a fabric softener sheet, to make them less crunchy and suck all the dog hair off.
I’ve never tried any of the special wool washes, so maybe I’m missing the boat, but all my stuff is doing fine so far.