Where there is a seam edge, snip a small piece for a sample. If you have received a sweater that you like but it is just a little bit too big or if you have one that used to fit but doesn't anymore, don't fret. Just lay the sweater flat (hanging can cause the wet fibers to stretch) and let it air dry. Wet sweaters must be laid flat and blockedâthat is, shaped so they dry correctly. Lv 6. Itâs often easiest to hang up silk blouses and dresses in the shower, where they can drip dry. It works well for all of my sweaters, and I have everything from silk blends to cheapo acrylic to heavy cotton. If not dont put it in, place between 2 towels and roll it up, that will help take out moisture and then lay it flat to dry. The solvents used in dry cleaning will strip the yarn's natural oils, leaving sweaters looking dull and contributing to the loss of softness. All types of sweaters can lose their shape when washed and dried, so it is advised to lay sweaters out flat on a towel and reshape them to dry. Dyeing a sweater is not difficult and uses the same process as dyeing any other type of fabric or clothing. Rather than trying to shrink an acrylic sweater, you may be better off exchanging it at the store for a smaller size or tailoring it to fit properly. Improper ironing, washing and even time can turn a perfect fit into a jumbled, overhanging nightmare. Here are some hacks that can soften up any acrylic sweater and make it more comfortable to wear. However, there are a few additional steps necessary to dye a sweater successfully. I would suggest making a swatch in the same yarn and timing how long it takes until the fabric becomes really limp. But acrylic doesnât respond to washing and drying temperatures the same way that natural fibers do. Always air dry. If you have a fluff cycle that does not heat in your dryer you use that. Where there is no seam edge. Don't use the air dry setting on the dryerâtoo much friction. They also produce a lot of static in the dryer so use a dryer sheet or hang dry. 0 0. Some manufacturers of acrylic sweaters have, because of ignorance, resorted to labels or hang tags which state "Do Not Dryclean." Before dyeing, check the fabric content of the sweater. The Actual Right Way to Wash Wool Acrylic does dry quickly though...So get to it ! You can, however, as an acrylic sweater is worn, it will naturally stretch out and Iâm afraid that killing it will greatly increase the natural stretch it would have over time. If the sweater has embroidery or beads that might come loose, I turn the sweater inside out before bagging it. At-home dry cleaning kits are another possibility, but Martha Stewart Living points out that they can't handle all stains equally. Fabrics that should be dry cleaned Instead of shrinking, the synthetic material actually stretches when facing high temperatures. Acrylic is a fabric that is prone to stretching. From vintage styles to office attire, acrylic sweaters are a sturdy, fashionable and cost-effective wardrobe staple. 1 decade ago. Only natural fibers, such as cotton and wool will dye properly. Bulky acrylic sweaters can be identified as not being woolen by the burn test. These include polyester, nylon, spandex, acrylic and acetate. The one hang up is that acrylic is man-made, which means it can be itchy when worn on bare skin. These wonât shrink, so itâs safe to wash in warm water. However, go gentle or low on drying because they can permanently wrinkle in a hot dryer. Air dry. The sweater then gets washed and dried in the same bag. Acrylic fibers stretch when heated, angora and cotton shrink, while chenille, wool and silk are prone to unraveling when agitated by the dryer drum. Pick off enough nap to roll between the fingers. 1 1. cookingkay1955.