How to dry a wool sweater | The Woolmark Company (2024)

FAQs

How to dry a wool sweater | The Woolmark Company? ›

After washing your wool clothes, it is recommended the garments – particularly knitwear such was sweaters - are dried flat, unless your garment's care claim states it can be tumble dried. Wovenwear such as tailored suit pants or jackets can be hung up on a hanger and dried out of direct sunlight.

When drying wool, avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, such as the radiator, because they can yellow, shrink, or damage woolens. Lay your wool item flat in its natural shape on a drying rack or on top of a clean towel to dry. Again, do not put it in the dryer!

Always flat dry wool sweaters or other knitwear if possible, out of direct sunlight. Line drying or drying on hangers can cause knitted garments to stretch due to the weight of the moisture contained by the garment, with the result that the garment grows in length and loses its shape.

Take Advantage of Towels

After washing your wool sweater, roll it in a towel into a tight cylinder and press it gently. This will help you remove excess water and expedite the drying time. After removing excess water, move the sweaters onto a clean, dry towel. Lay it flat on top of a clothing rack.

Use a dryer, carefully.

First, check the tags to make sure your sweater is dryer friendly. If it is, there's a couple of tips to make sure it comes out good as new. To prevent pilling and any damage to the fibers, dry your sweaters inside out.

If the label says “dry clean only,” don't put it into your washing machine. Washing dry clean only clothing can ruin the garment, so it's best to take it to a professional cleaner.

Sweaters + Knits: Cozy woolens and snuggly cashmeres should always be stored folded to avoid misshaping. Activewear: The synthetic fabrics which comprise most activewear pieces tend to get warped and wonky on hangers, so folding is preferable.

Wool dries quickly, it will take about 2 hours to dry the T-shirts, shirts and polos. The sweater will take some more time, because it contains more wool.

Speed up the process by using home appliances.

Especially when the climate's a bit moist, electric fans and dehumidifiers will speed up the drying process. You can even break out your hair dryer for some last minute, localized drying. Alternatively, you can get it dry cleaned by professionals.

To carefully flat dry wool clothing it is recommended it is placed on a pale coloured or white towel, and one which is free from lint. Special garment drying mesh screens are also available, which are designed to fit over the bathtub. These tend to speed up the drying process.

Will rain ruin a wool sweater? ›

The outermost layer of the wool fiber, the epicuticle, repels liquid water. (The lanolin in wool also helps repel water.) So when you are out in the rain, even extended rain, or immersed in a river or the surf for a shorter time, the wool gets wet on the surface, like human hair would, but does not soak up any water.

Your woolen garment will shrink in the dryer, because it makes it subject heat and friction. Even when you use the low-heat level, the machine does use friction to dry your wool, which can cause pilling and felting. Airdrying wool garments is much better for them, since it prevents shrinking.

Depending on the thickness or weight of the item, wool fabrics should be either air dried or placed in the dryer on a gentle dry cycle. While heavier fabrics like coats and jackets may need the heat of a dryer, it's recommended to air dry older or delicate, lighter wool items.

To prevent shrinkage, many sweaters may need to be dried on a gentle cycle and a low heat setting. Whirlpool^® dryers help your clothes receive an optimal dry every time.

Avoiding heavy duty cycles, fast spins and high-heat drying can also prevent shrinkage. Use delicate cycles instead, and place delicate clothes in a mesh laundry bag for added protection. When drying, consider a low-heat or air dry setting. When in doubt, always follow the instructions on your garment's care tag.

Wool fiber swells when it becomes wet and then contracts when it dries. This is what causes wool to shrink when you wash it in hot water. So If you don't want it to shrink, just avoid washing it in really hot water. Handwashing in cool or slightly warm water is always recommended for wool garments.

The outermost layer of the wool fiber, the epicuticle, repels liquid water. (The lanolin in wool also helps repel water.) So when you are out in the rain, even extended rain, or immersed in a river or the surf for a shorter time, the wool gets wet on the surface, like human hair would, but does not soak up any water.

Wool is incredibly warm. And, thank's to its natural fiber characteristics, it is also a pretty good option for more eco-friendly performance clothing. That is because it can be water-resistant, breathable, and good at wicking moisture.