Sweaters are a staple in most people’s wardrobes. They are cozy, versatile, and can pull an outfit together. However, sweaters require a bit more care than your average t-shirt or jeans to keep them looking their best. Properly washing and caring for your sweaters will extend their lifespan so you can enjoy them season after season. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about washing, drying, storing, and caring for your beloved sweaters.

Choosing the Right Washing Method for Sweaters

The cardinal rule for washing sweaters is to always check the care tag first. The care tag will indicate the best washing method, water temperature, and any other special care instructions.

Here are some common care symbols you may find on sweater tags and what they mean:

Machine wash: You can machine wash the sweater, following the indicated temperature setting
Hand wash: Only hand wash the sweater in cool water
Dry clean: Take the sweater to a dry cleaner for cleaning
Do not wash: Do not machine wash or hand wash the sweater
Bleach symbol: Do not use chlorine bleach
Iron: You can gently iron the sweater

If there is no tag, start by hand washing in cool water and air drying to be safe. Here are some other tips for choosing the best washing method:

Cashmere and wool: Use a wool laundry detergent and hand wash or use the wool cycle on your washing machine in cool water. Avoid high heat.
Acrylic and synthetic fibers: These man-made fibers are generally machine washable in warm or cool water.
Cotton: Sturdy cotton sweaters can typically be machine washed in warm or cool water.
Silk and rayon: Hand wash in cool water only or take to the dry cleaners. Avoid high heat.
Angora and mohair: Hand wash only in cool water using a mild detergent. Do not machine wash.

Bottom line: When in doubt, opt for cool water and a gentle hand wash or dry clean only cycle to prevent sweaters from shrinking, stretching, or becoming misshapen. Harsher washing can damage the fibers.

Hand Washing Sweaters

Hand washing is gentler on sweaters and helps preserve their shape and texture. Here is a simple hand washing method:

Supplies needed:

2-3 gallons of cool or lukewarm water
Mild liquid laundry detergent for delicates
A clean tub, sink, or basin
Soft towel

Steps:

Fill your tub or basin with cool water and add a small amount of mild laundry detergent. Swirl gently to dissolve the detergent.
Submerge your sweater fully and gently squeeze the water through the fabric to thoroughly saturate it. Do not rub, twist, or wring.
Let it soak for about 3-5 minutes so the detergent can loosen dirt and oils.
Drain the dirty water and refill with clean cool water. Rinse the sweater until the water runs clear.
Roll the sweater in a towel to gently squeeze out excess water. Do not wring or twist. Reshape and lay flat to dry.

Machine Washing Sweaters

Many sweaters are machine washable if you use the right settings. Here are some tips:

Use a mesh garment bag to wash sweaters. This prevents friction and catches loose threads.
Wash sweaters in cool or lukewarm water on the delicate cycle. Select a low spin speed.
Use a detergent made specifically for delicates, woolens, or hand wash items. Avoid regular detergents.
Wash darks and lights separately to prevent colors from running.
Zip up zippers and hook together Velcro closures so they don’t snag.
Choose an extra rinse cycle to remove excess detergent residue.
Reshape and lay sweaters flat to dry after washing. Do not put in the dryer.

Drying Sweaters Properly

Improper drying can cause sweaters to lose their shape, shrink, or develop holes or pills. Here are some tips for safely drying sweaters:

Lay Flat to Air Dry

Lying sweaters flat to air dry is the best way to prevent stretching.

Smooth the sweater back into its original shape before drying. Shake gently to realign the fibers.
Lay the sweater flat on top of a clean towel or mesh drying rack. Reshape seams and smooth out collars or cuffs.
Allow the sweater to fully air dry. Turn over halfway through to evenly dry both sides.
Avoid hanging sweaters or letting them dry into a permanent stretched shape over a hanger. The weight can cause distortion.

Dry Flat

For thick or bulky sweaters, pressing water out with towels before drying helps them maintain their shape and thickness.

After washing, roll the sweater in a towel and gently press to absorb excess moisture. Do not wring or twist it.
Lay the sweater flat on a dry towel on the floor or on drying racks designed for lying flat.
Smooth the sweater back into shape and flip over periodically until fully dry.

Blocking

The technique of blocking can reshape severely stretched out or misshapen sweaters as they dry.

Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water. Lightly mist the garment once smoothed into the correct shape on a flat surface.
Use pins to hold the shape of the sweater as it dries. For example, pin cuffs and hems back to their original proportions.
Leave pinned until completely dry. The heat from you hands helps set the fibers into the blocked shape.

Hang to Dry

If avoiding hanger bumps, you can hang sweaters with care using these tips:

Place the sweater over a wide hanger or place a folded towel over the hanger to disperse the weight.
Keep the hanger in shoulder shape as you hang. Do not stretch the sweater widthwise.
Periodically reshape and smooth the sweater on the hanger as it dries to prevent stretching.
Hang upside down by looping the hanger through a belt loop or the inside bottom hem rather than the shoulders.

Avoid Putting Sweaters in the Dryer

The heat and tumbling action of a clothes dryer can damage sweaters and cause:

Shrinkage – Heat triggers fibers to tighten and bind together
Pilling – Friction causes small fiber balls to form on the surface
Misshaping – Shoulders can become stretched out
Damage – Seams may unravel, holes can develop

Only put a sweater in the dryer if the care tag specifically instructs you to dry it that way. Even then use air or tumble dry on low. Always lay flat to dry when possible.

Drying Sweater Fibers

Different fabrics require tailored drying methods:

Wool and cashmere: Lay flat to air dry. Blocking helps wool keep its shape.
Cotton: Can go in the dryer on low if needed but air drying is best.
Acrylic and synthetics: Dryer safe on low heat. Remove promptly to prevent over-drying.
Silk and rayon: Must be laid flat to dry. High heat damages silk.
Angora and mohair: Always lay flat to dry gently to prevent irreversible stretching.

Storing Sweaters Properly Between Wears

Sweaters that get tossed in a drawer or hung haphazardly get misshapen over time. Use these tips for storing sweaters:

Folding

Fold sweaters smoothly along the seams and place in a drawer neatly stacked.
Refold along different creases each time before storing to avoid permanent creases.
Or roll sweaters neatly to prevent stretching the shoulders wider.
Use sweater folders or dividers in drawers to prevent stretching and pilling.

Hanging

Hang heavy sweaters from wide, sturdy hangers with the shoulder seams aligned.
Pad hangers with felt or wrap shoulder areas in old socks or fabric scraps to avoid impressions.
Store lighter or delicate sweaters folded in a drawer instead to prevent hanger bumps.

Storage Containers

Store off-season sweaters in breathable containers like cotton sweaters bags or archival boxes, not plastic.
Prevent moth damage by using cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or other natural moth deterrents.
Sweaters not worn often can be vacuum sealed in a breathable pouch for more compact storage.

Garment Bags

Use breathable fabric garment bags (not plastic) to store sweaters to protect from dust.
Hang garment bags in closets for easy access or stack under beds for space saving storage.
Pro tip: Store by outfit or color so coordinating sweaters are handy next season.

Caring for Sweaters: Preventing Damage

With some extra care, you can add years to the lifespan of your sweaters. Here are tips to prevent common sweater damage:

Prevent Shrinking

Always check washing instructions and wash in cool water only. Hot water shrinks fibers.
Dry thoroughly and reshape after washing. Don’t put slightly damp items in the drawer.
Wash on a gentle cycle and air dry to be safe with unlabeled pieces.

Avoid Pilling

Use a lint roller on sweaters before wearing to remove stray fibers and pet hair.
Wash similar fabric colors together. The friction between different fabrics causes pilling.
Turn sweaters inside out before washing. This puts soft sides together rather than rubbing exteriors.
Choose a laundry bag. This prevents hard rubbing against the washing machine drum.

Stop Stretching

Fold or hang sweaters with care between wears. Don’t let them slouch into a stretched shape.
Wash on delicate and lay flat or block to dry into the original shape if needed.
Avoid hanging wet sweaters that get very heavy and pull under their own weight.

Mend Holes

Hand stitch small holes immediately to prevent growth. Use a thread color match.
For larger holes, apply an iron-on patch on the inside or darn using embroidery techniques.
Wool sweaters can be rewoven by specialists to mend moth holes or tears.

Remove Stains

Sprinkle baking soda on oily stains and gently brush clean using cool water. Rinse thoroughly.
Dab white vinegar on old or set-in stains. Sponge with cool water.
Pretreat tough sweaters stains before washing. Apply a stain remover stick or gel and let sit.
Avoid using bleach products which can discolor, damage, and weaken yarn fibers.

Freshening Between Wears

Air sweaters outside in the fresh air rather than washing each wear. The sun and wind naturally deodorize.
Lightly steam sweaters to remove odors and wrinkles between wears. Do not press.
For a refresh, place sweaters in the dryer on air fluff setting with a dryer sheet for 5-10 minutes.

Protecting Sweaters When Wearing

Your habits when wearing sweaters also impact their longevity. Follow these tips:

Wear an undershirt to prevent deodorant stains and sweat-out oils from reaching your sweater directly.
Hang up sweaters immediately after wearing to prevent slouching wrinkles or food spills from setting in.
Use a sweater comb to gently remove pills. Don’t use a lint shaver that can damage the yarn.
Spot treat stains immediately with cold water and a delicate stain remover.
Let heavily soiled spot dry completely before washing to avoid setting in the stain.
Avoid contact with abrasive surfaces. Velvet sweaters show white rub marks if scraped.
Take off delicate or sparkly sweater before applying lotion, perfume, or hairspray to prevent damage from overspray.

Sweater Care by Material

Specific fibers require tailored care. Follow these tips for your sweater fabrics:

Cashmere Sweaters

Hand wash or dry clean only. Machine washing risks shrinkage.
Fold and store cashmere flat. Hanging can stretch the sweater’s shape.
Never put cashmere in the dryer. Lay flat on a towel to air dry.

Wool Sweaters

Hand wash or use the wool cycle on your washing machine. Avoid high heat.
Reshape and lay flat to dry. Do not put wool in the dryer or it will shrink.
Store folded or hanging up. Wool can hold odors so air out between wears.

Cotton Sweaters

Machine washable on cool and tumble dry low. Warm water can shrink cotton.
Hang cotton sweaters immediately after wearing so they hold their shape.
Presoak heavily stained cotton sweaters before washing. Stains set permanently.

Acrylic and Polyester Sweaters

Can safely be machine washed warm and tumble dried low.
Remove from dryer immediately and fold to prevent overheating and pilling.
Static cling is common. Use a fabric softener or dryer sheet to reduce.

Silk and Cashmere Sweaters

Hand wash only using mild laundry soap. Dry clean for severe stains.
Reshape and lay flat on a towel to air dry. Never put silk in the dryer.
Store folded in a breathable garment bag. Do not hang silk sweaters.

Angora and Mohair Sweaters

Always hand wash angora and mohair separately in cool water. These fibers are delicate.
Lay flat and gently reshape to dry. Do not hang or squeeze excess water out.
Protect from moths which are attracted to these animal fibers. Store cedar blocks with them.

When to Replace Sweaters

With proper care, most quality sweaters can be worn for years. But when is it time to retire a trusty old sweater? Consider replacing when you notice:

Major holes, tears, unraveling seams, or shrinkage that cannot be repaired.
Severe pilling that affects the appearance despite removing pills regularly.
Fading, dye breakdown, yellowing underarms, or other irreversible damage.
A consistently bad odor you cannot eliminate through washing and airing out.
The sweater no longer holds its shape well due to stretched out shoulders or deformed cuffs.
Moth damage resulting in many small holes. Look for signs of larvae in joints and folds.
Brittleness in the yarn, especially under arms, cuffs, and waistband where oils accumulate most.

Sweater Repair and Alteration Options

Before you toss out a damaged sweater, consider whether minor repairs or alterations may extend its lifespan. Some options include:

Simple Hand Repairs

Stitching small holes closed in matching yarn
Resewing popped seams
Snipping loose threads
Sewing on lost buttons

Professional Reweaving and Darning

Invisible mending of damaged areas
Filling moth holes
Professional stitching of torn seams and holes

Alterations

Shortening a too-long hem
Taking in a loose sweater by sewing side seams
Remove stretched-out bands and re-attach
Add elbow patches to hide worn spots

Caring for Sweaters Saves Money

Taking proper care of your sweaters isn’t just good for the environment. It also saves you money in the long run since sweaters are an investment. Quality sweaters in classic styles can be worn for many years when cared for. But repeated damage means having to replace your favorites more often. Just a bit of extra time taking precautions when washing, drying, storing, and wearing your beloved sweaters will protect your investment!

How to Store Sweaters to Prevent Damage

Whether you’re packing up your sweaters for a season or simply haven’t worn one in awhile, proper storage is key to keeping them looking their best. Follow these pro tips for storing sweaters without causing damage:

Use Breathable Storage Containers

Sweaters need airflow to prevent moisture buildup and mildew growth.

✅ Do use fabric storage bins, canvas sweater boxes, or mesh pop-up laundry bags.

❌ Avoid plastic bins or vacuum compression bags which trap moisture.

Fold & Stack with Care

Always fold sweaters along the seams and avoid harsh creases.

✅ Do alternate the fold direction each storage period.

❌ Don’t leave sweaters stacked in the same creases for too long.

Invest in Hanger Pads

Prevent hanger bumps by using felt shoulder pads or old socks.

✅ Do slide padding onto wide hangers before hanging heavy knits.

❌ Avoid thin plastic and wire hangers that dig into shoulders.

Store Fibers Properly

Tailor storage methods to the fiber content.

✅ Wool and cashmere should lie flat. Silk and rayon too!

❌ Hanging can permanently stretch delicate fabrics like angora.

Use Natural Moth Deterrents

Guard against hungry moths nibbling holes in natural fibers.

✅ Do sachets of cedar, lavender, rosemary or store in cedar chests.

❌ Avoid plasticky smelling mothballs which can damage yarn integrity.

Smooth & Reshape

Gently reshape before storage to avoid permanent creases.

✅ Do smooth collars, cuffs, and hems before folding or hanging up.

❌ Don’t leave crumpled in laundry baskets or on the floor.

With proper storage habits, your sweaters can look great for many seasons to come! Follow these tips to prevent damage like pilling, stretching, yellowing, and moth holes. Show your knits some love so you can enjoy them even longer.

How to Hand Wash Sweaters

Hand washing sweaters is

How to Wash and Care for Sweaters