How to Wash Wool Sweater Properly Without Shrinking or Damage
Wool fabrics are among the warmest options for winter. People should look for sweaters and dresses to add to their wardrobe. Wearing such outfits at parties and special events would guarantee you becoming the centre of attention. But when it comes to their maintenance, you might face some challenges. That’s because cleaning wool sweaters requires a gentle technique and supplies. Moreover, there are time constraints; it looks like an incomplete task. In that case, you can contact a professional cleaner like Love2Laundry and let us wash wool sweaters.
We’ll follow the instructions on the care label and add our experience to help maintain the fabric’s durability by removing set-in odours and stains. Even more, customers can get some tips to wash wool sweaters the right way.
If you want more details on the methods to wash wool sweaters, read our blog.
Understanding Wool Fabric Before Washing
Wool is a natural fibre derived from animal hair, therefore granting properties of warmth, breathability, and elasticity, but conversely a slightly delicate status. Each wool fibre features several tiny scales running along its surface that readily respond to heat, moisture, and agitation.
Wool retains its shape and softness for many years if gently handled. Incorrect handling could result in immediate felting and shape shrinkage due to the effects of these factors on the fibres.
Why Wool Shrinks and Loses Shape
Wool fabric shrinks as the heat opens up the fibre scales, and agitation causes them to lock together with friction; this permanent interlocking occurs due to improper wash cycles. The result is a fabric that is denser, smaller, and stiffer. The primary triggers are agitation, spinning, and temperature changes. This is why wool needs to be washed under controlled conditions.
Also Read – Want to learn how to unshrink clothes? Read our blog to get the details.
Check the Care Label and Prepare Your Wool Sweater
Check the care label before washing any wool sweater. The label indicates whether the sweater can be machine-washed, needs hand-washing, or requires dry cleaning. Preparation helps reduce the risk of damage and ensures the safe cleaning of the sweater.
Identify Machine-Washable vs Hand-Wash Wool
Machine-washable wool usually says “Machine Wash Cold,” “Wool Cycle,” or shows a wash-tub symbol with gentle markings. You can check the following points to maintain proper care for wool sweaters.
- Hand-washing only will be clearly stated on the wool.
- Dry-clean only; do not wash at home.
- If there is no label or it is unclear, just to be safe, consider the sweater as hand-wash only.
Pre-Treat Stains the Safe Way
Use a wool detergent diluted in cold water for stains. Lightly dab with a soft cloth or the soft pads of your fingers. Never rub, scrub, or use any stain-removing agent, bleach, or strong detergent, as these will damage the fibres and may leave permanent discolouration.
How to Wash a Wool Sweater by Hand
Care for wool sweaters is essential, even if you’re washing them by hand. Choosing the right water temperature, cleaning agent, and rubbing, everything should be considered. So, if you don’t know about the technique, here’s how you can do it.
Use Cold Water and Wool-Safe Detergent
Fill your basin or sink with cold water, as heat can cause wool fibres to shrink and felt. Add a small amount of wool-safe or mild detergent specifically designed for natural fibres. For wool, using regular detergents instead of wool detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners can strip the natural oil coating and cause harm.
Gentle Soaking – No Scrubbing or Twisting
Press the fabric down gently to absorb water evenly. Leave to soak for 10-15 minutes. Don’t scrub, rub, or twist, as agitation stretches or distorts the fibres. In case of minor stains, use your fingers rather than rubbing them.
Rinsing Without Stretching
Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cold water. Gently press the sweater to remove the detergent residue. This may have to be repeated until the water runs clear. Always support the weight of the sweater when lifting to avoid stretching.
How to Wash a Wool Sweater in the Washing Machine
Some modern wool garments can be washed in a washing machine; just be careful with them. Always read and follow the care label before trying the washing methods to wash wool sweaters. With the following tips to wash wool sweaters, you can achieve a satisfactory result.
Choose the Right Cycle and Temperature
Pick the washing machine cycle specifically for wool or delicate, or hand-wash. These cycles utilise little agitation and gentle movements. Always use cold water; even warm water will shrink the wool fibre or distort its shape.
Turn Inside Out and Use a Mesh Bag
The joint effort of turning a sweater inside-out reduces the chance of friction damaging the outer side. Then it’s inside a mesh laundry bag that reduces abrasion against the drum or any other laundering items. Avoid mixing wool with different fabrics to maintain proper care for wool sweaters.
Avoid High Spin Speeds
While maximum spinning speeds can stretch and distort wool, it is advisable to use the lowest possible spinning speed. If not possible, skip the spinning. Less spinning means less stress on the fabric, resulting in better shape retention. It’ll protect your clothes from sustaining damage and colour fading.
How to Dry a Wool Sweater Properly
Proper drying is as essential as washing, and many improper drying methods are the most common causes of shrinking and misshaping. But worry not. The steps below will guide you on how to dry wool sweaters without damaging them.
Remove Excess Water Without Wringing
After washing, gently press the sweater in between your hands or against the side of the basin to squeeze out excess water, and lay it flat on a clean towel. Roll the towel up with the sweater inside, and press lightly to absorb excess water. Never wring or twist wool. This can cause wrinkles in your clothes, and you might need to look for another technique to remove wrinkles.
Lay Flat and Reshape Naturally
On the towel or flat-dry drying rack, place your sweater. Reshape to its original size by aligning sleeves, seams, and edges. This last step also helps ensure that the shirt dries evenly and will not stretch or distort beyond recovery.
Keep Away From Heat Sources
Allow it to air-dry inside, but do not place it in direct sunlight or near radiators or heaters, or in a tumble dryer. Heat can shrink, stiffen, or otherwise remove the natural softness that’s so typical of wool.
Common Wool Washing Mistakes to Avoid
Wool is a naturally delicate fabric, and even minor washing mistakes can lead to shrinkage, felting, loss of shape, or a hard-to-reverse rough texture. Many of these things happen not because wool is hard to care for, but because it is often treated with the same casual disregard as everyday cotton or synthetic apparel.
Understanding common wool-washing mistakes will help you preserve the fibre’s inherent softness, insulating qualities, and durability, ensuring your wool garments remain comfortable, well-shaped, and long-lasting after every wash.
Using Regular Detergent
Ordinary laundry detergents are designed to work aggressively against dirt and oil, which may strip the natural lanolin from wool. Dryness, roughness, and weakened fibres develop over time. Wool-safe or mild detergents are formulated to cleanse wool while preserving its soft, elastic properties gently.
Washing in Warm or Hot Water
Heat has proved a worse enemy for wool. Warm or hot water will cause the fibres to contract and interlock, resulting in felting and noticeable shrinkage. Therefore, always wash in cold water to retain the jersey’s original size, shape, and smooth surface.
Hanging Wool Sweaters to Dry
A wet wool sweater, when hung, is further stretched out of shape by the heavy pulling force of gravity on the water-laden fibres. Instead, gently press excess water from the sweater and lay it flat on a towel to dry, allowing it to reshape as it dries, which will ensure the best possible shape retention.
How Often Should You Wash a Wool Sweater?
Wool, with its fibres, has a built-in mechanism that resists odours and dirt. Its need for regular washing is not typical like other fabrics, and it should generally be washed once every 5-7 wears, especially under a base layer. Usually, airing the sweater in fresh air would mostly get rid of light odours and moisture.
Aside from this, too much washing can also cut the fibres, shrink, or cause the garment to lose its softness. Infrequent washing extends the garment’s comfort and makes it last longer.
How to Store Wool Sweaters Correctly
In addition to washing, the best way to keep wool sweaters is to store them. Improper storage causes problems such as stretching, creasing, and damage from water and insects. Here are the techniques you can use to store wool sweaters properly.
Fold Instead of Hanging
Wool sweaters should always be folded rather than hung. When hung in this manner, the garment’s weight stretches it. If a shirt is placed like this for long periods, it loses its shape, especially around the shoulders and neckline. On the other hand, folding preserves the sweater’s natural structure and prevents long-term deformation.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
Wool needs to be stored in a cool, dry, and ventilated area. Mould and mildew thrive in the presence of too much moisture, while fibres weaken in heat. Breathable cotton storage bags and natural moth repellents such as cedar or lavender could be used to protect wool without harsh chemicals.
When to Choose Professional Laundry or Dry Cleaning
When you feel like you’re not getting quality results from multiple methods to wash wool sweaters, contact Love2Laundry. We’ll offer our customers professional methods and a cost-effective pricing structure with multiple plans. This way, there won’t be any problems when you choose a cleaning plan suitable for your wool sweater.
If you want, you can even contact us to get answers to your queries from our customer representative. Our commitment to satisfy customers with our service will always be a priority.
FAQs – Wash Wool Sweater
Why did my wool sweater get holes after washing?
The reason your wool sweater gets holes after washing is the use of regular cleaning agents and washing cycles. Regular detergents have enzymes to attack stains and with stains they can also attack the delicate fibres of wool, causing holes in the yarn.
What happens if a wool sweater gets wet?
If a wool sweater gets wet, the fabric will absorb moisture, making it heavier and more flexible. Moreover, if the sweater is not handled properly in this situation, the damage it will cause might be more than expected.
Do you wash wool at 20 or 30?
Washing wool at 20°C or 30°C would be safe, as the fabric is delicate, and washing it at a higher temperature could cause damage. Also, use a wool-safe detergent and a low spin cycle to keep the fabric safe. Remove the wool sweaters from the washing machine right after the wash.
Final Tips for Keeping Your Wool Sweater in Perfect Shape
Now that you know the right technique to wash wool sweaters, you can deal with stubborn stains without causing damage. Using cold water and delicate solvents will do the job.
Furthermore, following the tips to wash wool sweaters will save you time and help you get rid of stains in an emergency. So, always choose the right spin cycle to keep the fabric durable and fresh.
