Feeling intimidated by the thought of washing your sweaters at home? There’s no shame in it. After all, we’ve all found ourselves tangled up in a wooly mess that once resembled our go-to garment, right?
If this sounds relatable to you, you’ll be glad to know we’re here to help.
Today we’re sharing a comprehensive guide that shows you exactly how to wash sweaters at home—without shrinking, pilling or stretching them. Keep reading for all of our top advice!
Top Tips: How to Wash Sweaters at Home
1. Make Sure to Read the Label or Tag First
This tip works for any garment, but it’s especially important for sweaters. Depending on what they’re made from, these huggable winter favorites are usually vulnerable to all sorts of damage while spinning in the washing machine, so it’s important to be aware of specific guidance.
Unless they’re handmade or vintage, your sweater is likely to come with a care label with direct instructions on what to do—and what not to do—when it comes to washing them.
Confused by symbols on the tag? Check out our guide to all things care labels.
2. Wash Extra Delicate Sweaters by Hand
It may feel tempting to throw your sweaters in the washer without a second thought, cross your fingers and hope for the best. Despite this being the more convenient option in the moment, it’s likely to cost you a lot more time and money in the long run.
Unfortunately, the heat applied by a washing machine may cause your garments to change shape, size or color. That’s why you may want to consider hand-washing your sweaters, especially ones with natural fibers (like merino wool and cashmere) and those with embellishments (like sequins or beads).
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wash sweaters by hand:
Pre-treat any stains with a stain remover and rinse thoroughly.
Fill a tub or sink with cold water.
Add a small amount of mild detergent.
Make sure the sweater is completely soaked in the water. Leave it to soak for around 10 minutes.
Rinse the sweater by adding clean water. Be careful not to wring out your sweater.
Lay the sweater on a flat surface to dry since hanging may cause it to lose its shape.
3. Take Necessary Precautions When Machine-Washing
It is very possible to machine-wash your sweaters and not have them shrink or stretch. Just make sure to be extremely careful and follow our top tips below:
Always use cold water to keep its original shape.
To protect sweaters from friction, agitation, snags, and pilling, put them inside a mesh laundry bag first.
Only use the “delicate” or “slow” cycle settings on your washer.
Lay it flat to dry instead of putting it inside the dryer (doing this can cause shrinkage).
If you’re still a little hesitant about washing your sweaters with confidence, it may be best to take your clothes to the dry cleaners. A well-reviewed reputable laundromat will be able to determine the best way to wash your sweater—plus, they’ll do it for you!
Ready to find professional assistance? Try researching “laundry near me” to get connected with your local laundromat. And if you’re looking for the best laundromat in Denver, Thornton, Federal Heights, Westminster, Northglenn or Broomfield, we’d love to serve you at WaveMAX Thornton. See you soon!
