I (17F) had an argument with my mom as she recently ruined one of my wool cardigans in the dryer
for context, i’d put this in a laundry pile in my room to do myself later in the week and she’d taken it to put it in the wash – and i told her specifically to not put it in the dryer and just let it air dry (since she had put it in the wash already)
however she still put it in the dryer, so it ended up felting and now it’s ill fitting
this isn’t the first time it has happened, it happened previously with another one of my wool clothes but at least that was somewhat salvageable – this was way too small for me this time
i had an argument with her because she kept saying it’d stretch out if i wore it even though i’d explicitly said it was wool and felting isn’t the same as temporary shrinking, and i just think if she was going to do willingly do my laundry, she should’ve followed instructions and these were some of my favourite cardigans i got second hand and rebuying it new would be expensive (£40) and it’s not money i’d want to spend
however, i just may be the asshole because it’s winter in the uk as of current so things take ages to dry (but in the end it is *my* clothes and it was only one cardigan) and also, should i really be complaining since someone else is doing my laundry anyway?
NTA
It’s ok to feel upset that something you loved got ruined
Not the asshole. If I ever tried to do that to any of my wool sweaters I think my own mother would burn me at the stake for the offence. I cannot imagine how infuriating it would be to see someone else do that to your sweaters. Especially since some wool is dry clean only. At this point I would tell your mother that either she needs to replace the sweaters since she ruined them or not touch your things. If that doesn’t work I think you’re just going to have to find a new place to store them before washing unfortunately.
If you want to make sure you can get your point across I suppose you could always gift her a wool sweater to prove your point that you absolutely cannot treat them that way if you want them to last. But that’s an inside thought I think.
As for the climate, if she thinks it’s that much of a problem, in winter (Canada) if I have something heavy that needs to air dry I will hang in to dry in the washroom overnight and leave the fan if need be. This way it’s out of the way and the fan can help with airflow so it happens a bit faster.
Nta but just tell your mom thanks but you will do your own laundry. And for extra backup just don’t put your hand wash /air dry items in the basket.
I am baffled by this though because I would expect Mom to be aware of care requirements for these items. I mean, props to you I don’t think I did when I was 17 but also probably didn’t have anything but bras that didn’t go through the dryer then.
NTA but I think you can soak your sweater in fabric softener and stretch it back out
I believe it’s conditioner. Fabric softener is horrible for clothes
No, felting means that the fibres have fused together. It’s essentially a new, denser fabric, and attempted stretching will potentially tear holes. You cannot just relax the stitches as you would with a non-wool garment.
True, but SOMETIMES, if it’s not too felted, soaking it with a hair conditioner will let it relax enough to gently tease to a wearable size. Maybe. If you’re lucky.
If it’s just a bit too small, felt it the rest of the way (put it in the wash and dryer again) and make a hat and some fingerless gloves/mittens or a scarf
You’ll be able to stretch it out, but only a little. Once something is felted, you can’t undo it
Do all your own laundry. My husband is forbidden to wash any of my clothes.
OP said she intended to but her mother took it out of her room
NTA
However, there is a solution. Wash again with fabric softener. Stretch while wet unto a dress form or wear wet for a few minutes while moving around. Wool is warm even when wet which is why so many people who winter camp love wool. This should restore its shape. Next get a sweater de-piller. Or even a cheap disposable razor. This will help with the felting issue.
I did something very like this successfully. Mine required a soak, so longer than a wash. Search on
How to Fix Felted Wool
for details
Info; Does your mom usually do your laundry including gathering the items from your room or was this an unexpected rare type thing?