Properly caring for garments is the first step in making them last for years. Doing so before switching out seasonal wardrobes is even more important. Especially when dealing with high-quality and delicate materials, such as wool and cashmere sweaters.
We often don’t think about it, but these materials were once the coats of animals, and they are composed of keratin, just like our hair. Just like a fur coat.
Who would ever wash a fur coat in the washing machine without thinking twice?
Of course, this is an exaggeration, but we are not far from the truth...
So, if you understand the importance of washing wool and cashmere properly, follow our six guidelines.
6 practical tips for washing and treating wool and cashmere sweaters
- Is it really necessary to wash a sweater?
- How often should you wash a sweater in a season?
- Always wash by hand
- How to restore a felted sweater?
- How to prevent moths: wash your sweater before seasonal storage
1) Is it really necessary to wash a sweater?
It depends on the reason why we need to wash a wool or cashmere garment, and its composition: whether pure and natural or mixed and synthetic.
Sometimes airing it out is enough. If the issue is bad odors such as smoke, fried food, or sweat, it is very likely that they can be removed by simply airing out the garment on a nice, slightly windy day. This is because it is a natural fiber characteristic to release odors, unlike synthetic fibers, where they tend to get trapped for longer.
If, however, the problem is a stain, then washing the garment will be necessary. If the stain is small, you might try to remove it with a mild detergent, applying it only to the affected area without wetting the whole garment.
2) How often should you wash a sweater in a season?
Since bad odors in wool or cashmere sweaters can often be removed simply by airing them out properly, it is advisable to minimize contact with water and friction on the fibers.
We recommend washing a sweater no more than three times per season, unless it has visible stains or odors that need to be removed: once or twice while wearing it and once before storing it for the season change. Why is this last step so important? Jump to the last paragraph to find out.
3) If possible, wash by hand
Friction is one of the main causes of pilling (the small fuzz balls that form on sweaters) and can also lead to felting. We should start thinking of our wool and cashmere garments as "living" things or at least as organic materials, which are highly sensitive to time and external agents.
How to hand wash properly? Just follow these simple steps.
How to properly hand wash a wool or cashmere sweater?
- Use cold water in a basin
- Choose a delicate detergent, such as our sweater detergent with olive essential oils. Remember, a small amount is enough
- Let it soak for no more than five minutes and gently massage the garment
- Change the water as needed to remove all the soap
How to properly dry a hand-washed wool or cashmere sweater?
- Gently press the water out without twisting the fibers
- Lay the garment flat and pat it with a towel to remove excess moisture
- Always dry it flat to prevent the weight of the water from stretching the fibers. Choose a sunny day for washing, so the sweater stays wet for the shortest time possible—again, the importance of time.
4) How to Wash a Wool Sweater in the Washing Machine
At Rifò, we always recommend hand washing wool and cashmere garments. This is also stated on our garment labels.
However, most modern washing machines have delicate wash settings. If you choose to wash a wool or cashmere sweater in the washing machine, we recommend the following precautions:
- Turn the sweater inside out and place it in a protective laundry bag to prevent damage and keep it compact
- Use a mild detergent
- Select a wool or delicate wash program, with a maximum temperature of 30°C (20°C is also fine)
- Use a gentle spin cycle at the end, or better yet, skip the spin and remove excess water by patting the garment horizontally with a dry towel
- DO NOT use a tumble dryer
- Always lay flat to dry and choose a sunny day for faster drying
5) How to Fix a Felted Sweater?
We are often asked: can a wool sweater that shrank in the washing machine be restored? Unfortunately, the best solution for felted sweaters is prevention! Wash properly and by hand before damage occurs, avoiding the washing machine and following all the tips below.
If the damage is already done, the only possible remedy is trying anti-felting products, such as this one. These are sometimes effective when the garment is only slightly felted. Typically, they require soaking in water for about 30 minutes and have a strong softening effect that may restore elasticity to the fabric.
6) How to Prevent Moths: Wash a Sweater Before Seasonal Storage
Proper washing is also a key step in preventing moth damage. Bacteria and skin residues can serve as food for moths during the summer months when they multiply and attack our clothes unnoticed while they are stored away until the colder seasons. To avoid moth-damaged sweaters, the first step is to wash them (by hand), then store them in a sealed bag with a natural moth repellent, such as our Lavender Flower Bags, made exclusively from dried lavender.
On this page, you can find more resources and tips we've developed over the years to best care for your Rifò garments and knitwear in general.
To summarize: washing a wool or cashmere sweater should be done with care, taking the time to treat our clothes gently. The goal is to extend the life of what we already own, ensuring that a valuable garment can truly be passed down to future generations. Caring for and preserving garments over time is perhaps the first step in practicing circular fashion.
