Quick answer: Wash woollens in cool or lukewarm water (under 30°C) with a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Soak for 10 minutes, squeeze gently, never wring, twist or rub, and rinse in water of the same temperature. Roll the sweater in a towel to press the water out, then dry it flat in the shade. Woollens shrink because of heat, rubbing and sudden temperature changes, so avoid all three. Most sweaters only need washing every 5 to 6 wears.
Every winter, someone in the house pulls a favourite sweater out of the machine and finds it has turned into a child's size. Wool is a natural animal fibre, and it behaves differently from cotton. Its fibres have tiny scales that lock together when they are heated and rubbed, which is what makes wool shrink and turn thick and stiff, a process called felting. Washed the right way, a good sweater or Kashmiri shawl can last for many winters.
First, check the label
- Dry clean only: common on Pashmina, fine shawls, structured coats and blazers. Follow it.
- Hand wash: most sweaters, mufflers and woollen kurtas.
- Machine wash, wool cycle: some sweaters, especially wool blends and acrylic.
- Acrylic or blend: many affordable sweaters in India are acrylic or wool-acrylic blends. They are less likely to shrink but pill more easily.
Mentioned in this guide
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How to hand wash a sweater
- Turn it inside out. This protects the outside from pilling.
- Fill a bucket with cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild liquid detergent, about a capful for a bucket. Mix it in before the sweater goes in.
- Soak for 10 minutes. Press the sweater gently under the water a few times. Don't rub or scrub.
- Treat stains gently. Dab a drop of detergent on the stain with your fingertip.
- Rinse in water of the same temperature. A sudden change from warm to cold water can shrink wool. Rinse twice so no detergent is left.
- Squeeze, don't wring. Press the water out with your hands, keeping the sweater bunched up.
- Roll it in a towel. Lay the sweater flat on a dry towel, roll them up together, and press to soak up more water.
- Dry flat in shade. Lay it on a dry towel or a flat drying rack, shape it back to size, and flip it after a few hours.
How to machine wash woollens
- Only if the label allows machine washing.
- Use the Wool, Delicates or Hand Wash cycle, cold water and the lowest spin.
- Put sweaters in a mesh laundry bag, inside out.
- Wash woollens together, not with jeans, towels or anything with zips.
- Use less detergent than for a normal load.
- Never tumble dry.
Which detergent for woollens?
Choose a mild liquid detergent. Powders can be harsh and may not dissolve fully in cool water, leaving white streaks on dark wool. Strong stain removers and bleach damage wool fibres. Use a small dose, because leftover detergent makes wool feel stiff and can irritate skin that is already dry in winter. Read more about detergent residue and skin irritation. Check your sweater's label and test any detergent on a hidden spot first.
Washing guide at a glance
| Item | How to wash | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Wool sweater | Hand wash cool, dry flat | Every 5 to 6 wears |
| Acrylic or blend sweater | Gentle machine cycle, mesh bag | Every 3 to 4 wears |
| Muffler, cap, gloves | Hand wash cool | Every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Woollen shawl | Hand wash cool, or dry clean if labelled | 2 to 3 times a season |
| Pashmina | Dry clean, or very gentle hand wash if the seller advises | Once or twice a season |
| Thermals | Gentle machine or hand wash | After every wear or two |
How to remove pilling (bobbles)
Lay the sweater flat and gently remove bobbles with a fabric shaver, a sweater comb, or a disposable razor held lightly. Pilling happens where the sweater rubs, like under the arms and on the sides. Washing inside out, in a mesh bag and on gentle cycles reduces it.
How to refresh a sweater without washing
- Air it outside in the shade for a few hours between wears.
- Hang it in the bathroom during a hot shower. The steam relaxes creases and freshens it.
- Spot-clean small marks with a damp cloth and a drop of detergent.
How to fix a slightly shrunk sweater
Soak it for 30 minutes in lukewarm water with a spoon of hair conditioner, which relaxes the fibres. Don't rinse. Press the water out with a towel, then gently stretch it back to shape and dry flat, re-stretching as it dries. This helps with mild shrinking, but a fully felted sweater can't be reversed.
How to store woollens at the end of winter
- Wash everything first. Moths and insects are attracted to body oils and food marks.
- Dry completely in the sun or shade. Damp wool will smell musty by next winter.
- Fold, don't hang. Hanging stretches the shoulders.
- Store in breathable cotton bags, not plastic, with neem leaves, cloves or naphthalene-free moth repellents.
- Keep away from damp walls. Our guide to damp and musty smells covers wardrobes.
Mistakes to avoid
- Hot water. The fastest way to shrink wool.
- Wringing and rubbing. Causes felting and stretching.
- Drying in strong sun or on a heater. Fades colour and makes wool brittle.
- Hanging wet sweaters. The weight of the water stretches them out of shape.
- Too much detergent. Leaves wool stiff and itchy.
What we use
For razai covers, bedsheets, thermals and everyday winter clothes, our Plant Based Laundry Liquid is gentle on skin and dissolves easily in cool water. It's free from harsh toxins, parabens and synthetic VOCs, 100% biodegradable and independently lab tested. For fine wool and Pashmina, always follow the garment's care label. For the rest of the season, see our complete winter cleaning guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I wash a sweater without it shrinking?
Use cool water, a mild liquid detergent and no rubbing or wringing. Rinse in water of the same temperature, press water out with a towel and dry flat in shade.
Can I wash woollen clothes in a washing machine?
Only if the label allows it. Use the wool or delicates cycle, cold water, low spin and a mesh bag. Never tumble dry wool.
Why do woollen clothes shrink?
Heat, rubbing and sudden temperature changes make wool fibres lock together and tighten. This is called felting.
How often should I wash sweaters?
Wool sweaters every 5 to 6 wears if you wear a layer underneath. Air them between wears. Mufflers, caps and thermals more often.
How do I dry woollens in winter when there's no sun?
Roll them in a towel to remove as much water as possible, then lay flat on a rack in a room with a fan or good air flow. Flip them every few hours. Keep them away from heaters.
How do I remove a musty smell from stored sweaters?
Air them in the shade for a day. If the smell stays, hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent and dry completely before wearing or storing.
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