recycled sweater soakers... safe??

[moxygirl]

Okay this may be a stupid question. I was planning on making soakers from sweaters I bought from the Salvation Army but first I wanted to throw them in the washer and dryer, to get them good and clean and also to felt the wool. But at my laundromat they have a big warning sign saying don't dry articles in the dryer that have been dry cleaned since this can cause spontaneous combustion. Something about the solvents? And I figure most people probably dry clean their wool sweaters. So is it safe to dry wool sweaters in the dryer and then make soakers out of them?? Or should I skip the dryer?

Thanks!

[possum]

I've felted a lot of sweaters and never had one explode. Even if there is residual solvent in the sweaters (which would likely have evaporated LONG ago), the washing should take care of it.
We loved our felted wool wraps.

On a side note, dry cleaning is really not great for wool. I understand that some articles such as coats might need to be dry cleaned because of their construction, if a wool article can be reasonably hand washed, that is the best way to clean it. I use a home made solution with lanolin, a tiny bit of soap, and some essential oil in water. Dry cleaning strips the wool of lanolin, makes it scratchy, and roughs up the cuticle of the wool making it dull rather than shiny.

Have fun!
Melinda

[moxygirl]

Thanks for the reassurance.

I agree about not dry cleaning wool. I always wash my wool either by hand or on delicate in the washer, even coats! They turn out fine.