Hand washing a sweater takes about 15 minutes, and it’s the single best way to prevent shrinking, stretching, and pilling. The process is simpler than you think. You just need cold water, wool-safe detergent, and a gentle touch. While some sweaters tolerate machine washing, hand washing works for everything from cashmere to cotton and gives you complete control over the process.
Before you hand wash your favorite sweater, check the care label. Most wool, cashmere, merino, and cotton sweaters can be hand washed safely, though some “dry clean only” items are better left to professionals. This is especially true if they have embellishments, mixed materials, or significant value. If you’re ready to tackle it yourself, here’s the complete process.
Can You Hand-Wash Sweaters?
Yes, even delicate sweaters like cashmere and wool. Hand washing gives you complete control over water temperature, agitation, and handling. These three factors determine whether your sweater shrinks, stretches, or maintains its shape.
The confusion comes from “dry clean only” labels. These labels are often overly cautious. Most 100% wool, cashmere, and merino sweaters can be hand washed successfully if you use cold water and wool-safe detergent. The exceptions are sweaters with:
- Structured shoulders or internal linings
- Beading, sequins, or delicate trim
- Mixed materials (wool + leather, knit + woven panels)
- Significant value (designer pieces where you can’t risk damage)
For these items, professional cleaning is the smarter choice. For everything else, hand washing works well when done correctly.
What You Need to Hand-Wash Sweaters
Before you begin, gather these supplies:
Clean sink or basin: Large enough to fully submerge the sweater. A bathtub works for oversized sweaters.
Wool-safe detergent: Products like Woolite, Eucalan, or The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo are pH-balanced and won’t strip natural fibers. Avoid regular laundry detergent, which is too harsh for delicate knits.
Cold or lukewarm water: Hot water causes wool and other protein fibers to shrink and felt.
Clean, dry towels: For absorbing excess water after washing. You’ll need 2-3 bath towels.
Flat drying surface: A sweater drying rack, mesh drying screen, or clean towel on a flat surface away from direct heat or sunlight.
How to Hand Wash a Sweater (Step-by-Step)
Here’s the process:
- Check the care label: Look for fiber content and any specific warnings. Most wool, cashmere, alpaca, and merino can be hand washed. Acrylic and cotton blends are also safe. If the label says “dry clean only,” you can often still hand wash it, but proceed with caution.
- Fill basin with cold or lukewarm water: Never use hot water. It causes shrinkage in wool and other natural fibers. Fill the sink or basin with enough water to fully submerge the sweater.
- Add wool-safe detergent: Use the amount recommended on the bottle, typically 1-2 capfuls. Swirl the water gently to distribute the detergent evenly.
- Submerge the sweater: Turn the sweater inside out to protect the outer surface from friction. Gently press it down into the water. Don’t drop or agitate it.
- Soak for 10-15 minutes: Let the sweater soak without agitating. For heavily soiled sweaters, you can gently press the water through the fabric, but never rub, twist, or wring.
- Drain and rinse: Drain the soapy water. Refill the basin with clean cold water and gently press the sweater to rinse out detergent. Repeat until no soap bubbles remain, typically 2-3 rinses.
- Remove excess water gently: Never wring or twist the sweater. This causes stretching and damage. Instead, gently press it against the side of the sink to squeeze out water, or lift it carefully while supporting the entire garment with both hands.
How to Dry Sweaters Without Shrinking
Now that your sweater is clean, proper drying is crucial. This is where most people make mistakes that ruin sweaters. Never put sweaters in the dryer. The heat and tumbling will cause severe shrinkage, pilling, and damage. Always air dry sweaters flat.
Step-by-step drying process:
- Remove excess water: Lay the sweater on a clean, dry towel. Roll the towel and sweater together like a burrito, then gently press to absorb water. Never wring or twist. This stretches the fibers permanently.
- Reshape while damp: Lay the sweater flat on a fresh, dry towel or sweater drying rack. Gently reshape it to its original dimensions. Pull the shoulders, sleeves, and hem back into position. This step is crucial for maintaining fit.
- Choose the right location: Dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, radiators, and fireplaces. A spare room, covered porch, or bathroom with good airflow works well. Heat causes shrinkage even during air drying.
- Flip halfway through: After 4-6 hours, flip the sweater over to ensure even drying on both sides. Replace the towel if it becomes damp.
- Allow 24-48 hours for complete drying: Thick sweaters, especially wool and cashmere, take longer. The sweater should feel completely dry to the touch (including inside seams and thick areas like ribbing) before storing.
Hanging wet sweaters on hangers causes shoulder bumps and stretching in the body and sleeves. Always dry flat to maintain the sweater’s original shape and fit.
Related Article: How to Wash Wool Clothes – Detailed wool care guidance for sweaters, blankets, and other wool items.
Can You Machine Wash Sweaters?
If hand washing feels like too much effort, or if your sweater’s care label says “machine washable,” here’s how to do it safely.
Check your care label first. If it says “hand wash only” or “dry clean only,” don’t machine wash it. If it says “machine washable” or has no warnings, you can machine wash these sweater types:
- Cotton and cotton blends
- Acrylic and synthetic fibers
- Merino wool labeled “machine washable” (standard merino is hand-wash only)
Never machine wash: cashmere, angora, mohair, chunky cable knits, or vintage sweaters. The agitation and spinning will damage these permanently.
If you machine wash a sweater, follow these rules:
- Use a mesh laundry bag to protect the sweater from stretching and snagging on other items or the machine drum.
- Select the delicate or hand-wash cycle with cold water only. Hot or warm water will cause shrinkage.
- Use wool-safe detergent, not regular detergent. Regular detergent contains enzymes and brighteners that damage natural fibers.
- Skip the spin cycle if possible. Excess spinning stretches wet knits and distorts their shape.
Remove immediately after the cycle ends to prevent wrinkles and creasing.
Even with these precautions, machine washing increases the risk of pilling, shrinkage, and shape loss compared to hand washing. If your sweater is valuable or sentimental, hand washing is worth the extra 15 minutes.
Sweater Care by Fabric Type
Not all sweaters are created equal. What works for cotton will ruin cashmere, and what’s safe for acrylic might felt your wool. Here’s how to handle each type:
Wool (Merino, Lambswool, Shetland): Prone to felting if exposed to hot water or agitation. Hand wash in cold water with wool detergent. Felting is irreversible. Once the fibers mat together, the sweater is ruined. Wash 1-2 times per season. Wool naturally resists odors, so air it out between wears instead of washing.
Cashmere: The most delicate. Hand wash only with cashmere shampoo in cold water. Never machine wash, even on delicate. Minimize washing by spot cleaning and airing out instead. High-quality cashmere lasts decades if you wash it sparingly (2-3 times per season maximum).
Cotton: More forgiving than wool. Can handle machine washing on delicate with cold water, but hand washing prevents pilling and extends lifespan. Cotton won’t felt like wool, but it can lose shape if machine dried on high heat. Air dry flat for best results.
Acrylic/Synthetic: Machine washable on delicate, cold water. Won’t shrink like natural fibers but pills easily with friction. Turn inside out before washing. Can tolerate low-heat drying, but air drying reduces static and pilling.
Alpaca/Mohair: Treat like cashmere. These luxury fibers felt easily and weaken when wet. Hand wash in cold water, handle minimally while damp, dry flat. The effort is worth it. Properly cared for alpaca is exceptionally warm and long-lasting.
When to Use Professional Sweater Cleaning
Hand washing works great for most sweaters, but some situations call for professional cleaning. After 80+ years in the dry cleaning business, we’ve seen what happens when people take risks with expensive sweaters. We also know when they make the smart call to bring them in.
When to choose professional cleaning:
- Designer or luxury sweaters: Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, high-end cashmere, and other investment pieces deserve expert care
- Sweaters with embellishments: Beading, sequins, delicate trim, or mixed materials that can’t get wet
- Vintage or heirloom knits: Antique sweaters with fragile fibers or sentimental value
- “Dry clean only” labels you’re nervous about: When you don’t want to risk damaging an expensive piece
- Heavy stains: Wine, grease, ink, or set-in stains that need specialized treatment and stain removers
- No time or space: If you don’t have room for proper flat drying or can’t dedicate 24-48 hours to the process
At Dependable Cleaners, we use specialized wet-cleaning techniques for delicate sweaters, preserving fiber integrity while removing stains and odors. Our process is gentler than home washing and more thorough than basic dry cleaning. With same-day service, free pickup and delivery, and 20+ locations throughout Colorado, professional sweater care is convenient and worry-free.
Related Article: How to Care for and Clean a Leather Jacket – Another seasonal wardrobe staple that benefits from professional expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Sweaters
Q: How often should you wash sweaters?
Wash sweaters every 3-5 wears, or when visibly soiled. Cashmere and delicate knits can go longer. Air them out between wears to extend time between washes.
Q: What temperature water should you use for sweaters?
Use cold or lukewarm water (never hot). Hot water causes wool and other natural fibers to shrink and felt permanently.
Q: How do you prevent sweater pilling?
Wash sweaters inside out, hand wash instead of machine wash when possible, and use a fabric shaver to remove existing pills. Avoid wearing the same sweater multiple days in a row.
Q: Can you hand wash a sweater that says dry clean only?
Often, yes. Many “dry clean only” labels are overly cautious. Test a small hidden area first. Wet a corner and check for color bleeding or texture changes. If the sweater has embellishments or linings, stick with professional cleaning.
Q: How long does it take to hand wash a sweater?
Hand washing takes 10-15 minutes of active time. Drying takes 24-48 hours depending on sweater thickness and room conditions.
