Don’t shrink your sweaters this autumn! Now that sweater weather is upon us, there’s nothing worse than pulling your favourite sweater out of the wash only to find it shrunken or stretched beyond repair.
The truth is that some sweaters aren’t made for a rough spin cycle. They need a little extra care to stay soft, cozy, and in shape. The good news? Hand washing your sweaters is easier than you think, and it can actually extend their life for years to come helping to reduce clothing from ending up in landfills. Up to 92 million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills every year. With just a few simple steps (and no fancy tools required), you can keep your sweaters feeling cozy and clean.
What You’ll Need to Hand Wash Your Sweaters
1. A clean sink or basin big enough to give your sweater some room to soak.
2. Cold water to keep fibers from shrinking or stretching.
3. Gentle laundry detergent sheets that dissolve easily and are perfect for hand washing sweaters without leaving residue.
4. A soft towel to help absorb excess water.
Why You Should Hand Wash Sweaters (Especially Wool & Cashmere)
Hand washing sweaters is the best way to keep your knits looking and feeling their best. Machine washing can cause stretching, pilling, and shrinkage. Instead, try hand washing sweaters to help preserve their delicate fibers. When you wash a sweater by hand using cold water and a gentle detergent, you maintain the sweater’s softness, shape, and durability.
Keep your Sweater in Shape - Hand washing sweaters prevents shrinkage, stretching, and pilling while protecting delicate fibers.
Preserves your Sweater Quality - A gentle hand wash helps maintain softness, colour, and texture so your knits stay cozy and vibrant.
Extends your Sweater lifespan (and saves you money) - By reducing wear and tear, hand washing sweaters ensures they last season after season which cuts down on purchasing replacements.
Step-by-Step: How to Hand Wash a Sweater
1. Check the care label: Make sure your sweater is safe to hand wash. Most sweaters do best with a gentle soak, but some can be machine washed.
2. Fill your sink or basin with cold water: Add cold water to protect delicate fibers.
3. Use a Gentle Laundry Detergent: Add a half strip of Tru Earth’s Laundry Detergent Sheet to the water letting it dissolve before adding your sweater.
4. Soak and gently swish: Submerge the sweater and let it soak for about 10–15 minutes, gently moving it through the water. Avoid wringing or scrubbing.
5. Rinse thoroughly: Drain the soapy water and refill with clean cold water until the sweater is soap-free.
6. Press out excess water: Lay the sweater on a towel, roll it up, and gently press to remove moisture (never twist or wring—it can stretch the fibers).
7. Lay flat to dry: Reshape the sweater and lay it flat on a dry towel or drying rack. Air drying prevents shrinkage and keeps your sweater in its original shape.
How to Dry Your Sweater Safely to Prevent Stretching
Air drying your sweaters on a towel keeps the fibers supported, helps wool and cashmere maintain their softness, and prevents the sagging or misshaping that happens if you hang dry. With this simple method, your sweater will dry evenly and look as good as new.
Tips for Extending Sweater Life Between Washes:
1. Spot clean small stains – Instead of a full wash, gently dab spills with cold water and mild detergent to keep sweaters fresh longer.
2. Air out your sweater – Lay it flat or hang it briefly (on a padded hanger) after wearing it to release odors and moisture.
3. Use a sweater stone or fabric shaver – Removing pills keeps wool sweaters and cashmere sweaters looking new.
4. Steam or refresh – A quick steam helps eliminate wrinkles and freshen sweaters between washes without stress on the fibers.
5. Store sweaters properly – Fold them neatly and place them in breathable bags or bins to prevent stretching, moths, and dust.
Hand washing sweaters may take a little extra time, but the payoff is worth it because your favourite knits stay soft, keep their shape, and last season after season. By learning how to hand wash a sweater the right way, dry it safely, and care for it between washes, you’re protecting your wardrobe (and your wallet) from unnecessary wear and tear.
Ready to give it a try? Grab your gentle laundry detergent sheets [here].
