Caring for your sweaters is essential. You want your sweaters to last, so that means taking the necessary steps to ensure they last long. This guide is here to help do that.
Sweater Care Essential Items
- Fabric shaver
- Lint & Pilling Remover
- Cashmere-safe detergent (or baby shampoo)
- Wool-safe detergent, like Woolite
- Garment bags for storing
- Mesh Laundry bags
- Defuzzing comb
Wearing
1. Extend washes by wearing a t-shirt underneath. This acts as a barrier and protects the sweater from being exposed to the body’s natural oils.
2. Remove dandruff, hair and lint regularly. Even if you don’t think the sweater looks dirty or doesn’t need a wash, there are tiny particles that stay on surface from daily wear.
3. Use a defuzzing comb or a fabric shaver to remove pills.
Washing & Drying
Washing sweaters seems like a difficult task, but it’s actually quite simple! Hand-washing or washing at home is a sure way to extend the lifespan of your delicate beauties. Make sure you always check the care label before starting a wash. Also, never hang any sweater when drying. Knits will droop, distorting the shape of the sweater.
How to wash Cashmere
Hand washing is the best option for preserving the delicate fabric.
To hand-wash: First, check the care label. Prepare a tub of water and mix the detergent in the water. Let your sweater soak before rinsing it clean so no detergent is left.
How to dry Cashmere
Always air-dry cashmere, never put a cashmere sweater in the dryer.
To dry: You should use a towel to pat any excess water away, lay it on the towel, and then gently roll it so you can absorb all the moisture. Transfer to a drying rack or use a new dry towel to lay it flat and making sure it air dries completely. Important to note that you should never shake or wring cashmere as it will warp and stretch out the material.
How to wash Wool
Wool can be washed in a washing machine or by hand-washing
To hand-wash: Fill a tub with clean lukewarm water. Add a wool-safe detergent and let soak. Once it has soaked, switch the water to do a clean rinse. Rinse the sweater thoroughly until the water is clear.
To machine-wash: Make sure you check the care label to see if your wool sweater can be put in the machine. Turn the sweater inside out, place it in a laundry bag inside the machine. Use a wool-safe detergent and set the cycle to a wool setting. If your machine doesn’t have that setting you can use a wash cycle for delicates and set the water to cold.
How to dry Wool
Never wring your wool sweater once you’ve pulled it from the water, but rather, roll it up in a towel.
If you hand-washed: Let it air-dry flat on a clean towel or drying rack away from any direct sunlight or heat. Give it some time before you fold and store. It should be completely dry to touch.
If you machine-washed: Repeat the same steps as if you hand-washed it by laying it flat to dry. Never use a dryer or forced heat.
How to wash Cotton
Cotton can be washed in two different ways. One, you can throw it in the machine and select a gentle washing cycle to reduce pilling. Two, you can hand-wash them. Hand-washing is normally the best option to extend the life of your sweaters, but you can get away with either option for cotton sweaters since they are durable for more frequent washings.
“Tip: A good thing to note is that cotton is prone to wrinkling so you may have to steam them to smooth them out.”
To hand-wash: Place the sweater in a tub of water and completely submerge. Make sure you check the label for what water is best, some sweaters need cool water others need warm for the most effective job. Use a detergent for delicate items like sweaters and add it to the water. Agitate the sweater by making sure the detergent penetrates the sweater. Once it has soaked, switch the water to do a clean rinse. Make sure the sweater has no more detergent in it.
To machine wash: First, check the care label. This is a sure way to understand the best process of washing your sweater. Place the sweater in a mesh washing bag, and put it in the washing machine. Use a mild detergent and run the machine on a cold delicate cycle.
How to dry Cotton
Cotton sweaters can shrink if thrown directly into the dryer which means air-drying is the best option.
If you hand-washed: Get your garment, press out all the water with a towel, do not wring it. Then make sure you lay them flat on a clean towel or a drying rack.
How to wash Acrylic
To hand-wash: Submerge the sweater in the water with a detergent like Woolite, and let it soak for at least 30 minutes, or however, the label suggests. Then, rinse the garment by changing the water and washing it until the water is no longer soapy.
To machine wash: First, check the care label to ensure the best washing process for the item. Place the garment in a washing bag and turn it inside out. Select a delicate cycle on the machine, and set the water to cold. Add the recommended amount of detergent according to the bottle, washing machine, and load size.
How to dry Acrylic
If you hand washed: Get your garment, press out all the water with a towel, do not wring, and then lay flat to dry.
If you machine washed: Once the washing is done, lay the item flat to dry either on a towel or a drying rack. Never put acrylic items in the dryer. If there are wrinkles, steam them rather than ironing because acrylic is prone to melting.
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Lola Glenn does not accept responsibility for incorrectly laundered/damaged fabrics by following these instructions.
