How to Wash Sweaters in a Washing Machine
Let’s be real, washing sweaters in a washing machine can feel like defusing a bomb. One wrong move and instead of your cozy knit buddy, you get a shrunken, pill-covered disaster. But don’t sweat it—this guide walks you through the process like a wisecracking but caring sweater guru.
1. Check the Care Label
Before you even think about tossing that sweater in with your laundry, look for that magic piece of paper sewn inside—the care label. Some sweaters are divas marked “hand wash only” or “dry clean only,” and they deserve that special treatment. If the label says “machine washable,” you’re in the clear—kind of.
2. Sort and Prepare Like a Pro
Nobody likes surprises in laundry, so sort your sweaters by color and fabric type. Turn them inside out to protect the outer surface from friction and pesky pilling. For extra protection, especially for delicate or wool sweaters, pop them in a mesh laundry bag. Think of it as a cozy sweater VIP lounge—less drama, more pampering.
3. Use a Gentle Detergent
Grab a mild detergent suitable for cold water washes. If you’re washing wool or other special fibers, go for detergents designed especially for them. The market offers Woolmark-approved options that keep your sweater feeling plush. Steer clear of harsh chemicals and bleach—your sweater’s delicate fibers will thank you.
4. Pick the Right Cycle
Most machines come with a delicate, hand wash, or wool cycle—choose one of these for your sweater. Always set the water temperature to cold to avoid shrinking nightmares or potential fraying. The wool-specific cycle often uses gentle action and cooler water around 406C, perfect for your knitwear.
5. Load the Machine Carefully
Does cramming eight sweaters with jeans and towels feel like a good idea? Spoiler alert: it’s not. Wash sweaters in small loads to cut down on agitation, which can damage the fibers. Keep heavy or bulky items out of the mix. If you can, hand-wash or machine wash your sweaters separately. Your knitwear deserves its own VIP treatment.
6. Start the Wash, But Skip the Spin Cycle
If you have a top-loader, add detergent and then the sweater, letting the basin fill. Front-loaders? Just toss everything in and start the delicate cycle. Avoid the spin cycle if you can; it’s like tossing your sweater on a roller coaster—sure, it moves quickly, but it’s stressful and can distort the shape.
7. Remove Sweaters Right Away
Once the cycle ends, don’t make your sweater wait around in the damp dark depths of the machine. Grab it out immediately to avoid wrinkles, funky odors, or unwanted reshaping.
8. Dry Sweaters With TLC
Throwing your sweaters in the dryer? Bad news. Most sweaters hate tumble dryers like vampires hate sunlight. Instead, lay the sweater flat on a clean, dry towel or drying rack. This helps preserve its shape and beautiful knit. Avoid hanging—it leads to sad, stretched-out sleeves and awkward length. There’s a reason sweaters are best friends with flat surfaces for drying.
Bonus Tips and Tricks
- Pretreat stains with a gentle stain remover before washing so your sweater doesn’t bring any unwanted spots to the party.
- Skip agitation on delicate or handmade sweaters. It can transform them into a felted mess faster than you can say “pilling.”
- When in doubt, embrace hand washing or professional cleaning services—sometimes it’s okay to admit you need reinforcements.
- For more guidance on washing delicate fabrics, check out our posts on washing soft pillows or washing soft toys in LG washing machines. Sometimes softness has its own rules!
By following these pro tips, your sweaters will come out fresh, soft, and with their shape intact, ready to cozy up for many seasons to come. So, go ahead, conquer that washing machine—your knitwear will thank you with years of warmth and style.