To wash a wool jumper, follow the care label, use lukewarm water at 30°C or below with a wool detergent, press out the water without wringing, and dry the jumper flat in the shade. Fold it to store it. This guide covers the label symbols, hand and machine washing, drying and storage.
Can you wash a wool jumper at home?
Yes, when the care label allows it. Many wool jumpers take a gentle hand wash or a machine wool cycle at a low temperature. A crossed-out tub means do not wash, and a professional cleaner is then the safer route.
Home washing suits most knitwear. It asks for cool water and a gentle hand.
What the care label symbols mean for wool
The symbols on your label follow ISO 3758:2023, and GINETEX, the international association for textile care labelling, explains each one. The number inside the tub is the highest water temperature allowed. Bars beneath the tub reduce the mechanical action, and a double bar marks the very mild cycle used for machine-washable wool.
- Tub with a double bar and 30 or 40: a very mild machine cycle. At 40°C, fill the drum no more than one third.
- Tub with a hand: hand wash only, at a maximum of 40°C.
- Crossed-out tub: do not wash. The piece may not tolerate any wet treatment.
- Crossed-out tumble dryer square: do not tumble dry. Heat and tumbling can shrink wool.
The sources differ on temperature. Woolmark gives 30 to 40°C for hand washing, depending on the garment. GINETEX caps the hand wash symbol at 40°C. Finisterre, a knitwear maker, advises 30°C or below. When a label is faded or missing, 30°C sits inside every range.
How to wash a wool jumper by hand
- Fill a clean basin with lukewarm water. Keep it at 30°C or below. Heat is the main risk to wool.
- Dissolve a wool detergent in the water first. Choose a mild one made for wool, and mix it before the jumper goes in.
- Submerge the jumper and leave it for 10 minutes. Move it gently. Do not rub, pull or wring.
- Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water, then once more in cold water.
- Press out the water. Lay the jumper on a clean towel, roll the two together and squeeze gently.
- Unroll and reshape on a dry towel. Smooth the body and sleeves to their original length while the wool is damp.
Can you machine wash a wool jumper?
Only when the label says machine washable. Turn the jumper inside out or place it in a laundry bag, add a wool detergent and select the wool cycle. Without one, use a cold or delicates programme. Skip the spin where your machine allows, and keep the drum no more than one third full.
How to dry knitwear without losing its shape
Dry knitwear flat, in the shade, away from direct sunlight. A flat surface supports the weight of the wet wool. Hanging lets gravity pull the fibres long, and the jumper stretches.
Keep it away from the tumble dryer. A do-not-tumble-dry label exists because heat and movement can shrink wool.
How to store knitwear between seasons
Wash the jumper before it goes away. Lingering dirt or moisture can attract moths, and you will not find the damage until you unpack in autumn.
Fold it and store it flat on a shelf or in a drawer. Choose breathable storage over plastic bags, because a little trapped moisture can lead to mould or moths. Cedarwood and lavender are natural deterrents.
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Mistakes that damage wool
- Washing hot. Wool fibres have microscopic surface scales. Heat lifts them, and the fibres can bind more tightly as the water cools. Keep to 30°C or below.
- Wringing or twisting. It pulls the knit out of shape. Press the water out in a towel.
- Hanging to dry. The wet weight stretches the garment. Dry it flat.
- Storing it damp. Moisture invites mould and moths. Dry the jumper fully and use breathable storage.
Key takeaways
- Read the care label first. The tub symbol sets the temperature and the type of cycle.
- Use lukewarm water at 30°C or below and a detergent made for wool.
- Press out water in a towel, then dry flat in the shade.
- Store knitwear clean, dry and folded, in breathable storage.
FAQ
How often should I wash a wool jumper?
Less often than most other knitwear. Wool fibres resist odour naturally, so a day in fresh air often refreshes a jumper. Wash it when it is visibly marked or no longer smells fresh after airing. Fewer washes mean less handling, which is kinder to the knit.
What should I do if the label says dry clean only?
Follow it. A crossed-out tub on a label means the piece may be sensitive to any wet treatment, and a circle symbol points to professional cleaning. Take the jumper to a professional cleaner and keep it out of the basin and the machine.
Can I wash cashmere, merino and alpaca the same way?
Check each label. Jumpers in the same collection can carry different instructions, because yarns, blends and finishes differ. Where a label is missing or unclear, a hand wash at 30°C or below with a wool detergent is the gentlest option in the sources above.
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Knowing how to wash a wool jumper comes down to the label, cool water and a flat surface to dry on. Follow those and a good knit stays in shape for years.
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