How to wash your wool sweater

How to wash wool sweaters

If you take good care of your wool sweaters, they can last for many seasons. To extend the life of all your knitwear, it should be washed with care.

Always remember to follow the washing instructions on your clothing – they may vary depending on the type of wool. Never expose your knitwear to direct heat, as it can shrink, and remember: tumble drying should only be used if the washing instructions allow it.

How to machine wash a wool sweater.

If the washing label says the sweater can be machine washed, it means it can be washed without risk of shrinkage:

1. Turn the sweater inside out, or place it in a laundry bag.
2. Preferably use a soap product designed for wool.
3. Select the "wool program" on the machine. If the machine doesn't have one, use the delicate, gentle, or cold water program.

How to hand wash sweaters.

1. If you are washing multiple sweaters, separate them by color to avoid color transfer.
2. Turn the sweater inside out to minimize friction on the right side. If it's a cardigan, you can button it up to help it retain its shape.
3. Fill a clean basin or sink with lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of mild or specific wool detergent (use a little more for thicker knitwear or multiple sweaters).
4. Place the sweater in the water and gently move it around for a few minutes without pulling or rubbing the material against itself.
5. Let it soak for about 5 minutes (depending on how dirty it is), gently moving it around occasionally.
6. Lift the sweater out and gently press out excess water over the sink – do not wring it.
7. Discard the water, refill with fresh lukewarm water, and rinse out the soap. Repeat until all soap is gone. Avoid holding the sweater under running water, as the water pressure can stretch it.
8. Once rinsed, gently roll the sweater in a clean towel and press out the water so the towel absorbs most of it. A light-colored towel is best to avoid color transfer.
9. Gently reshape the sweater – stretch out the sleeves, and lay it flat to dry on another dry towel or a lay-flat drying rack, away from direct sunlight and heat. Never hang wet knitwear, as the weight can stretch it out of shape.
10. Once the sweater is dry and if there are small creases, you can steam it or lightly press it with an iron on the wool or lowest temperature setting.

How often should you wash your knitwear?

The good thing about wool sweaters is that you don't need to wash them as often as knitwear made from synthetic fibers. Wool does not easily stain and doesn't easily absorb odors, so they can often be worn multiple times between washes.