During winter, there's one cold-weather essential that's almost more important than all the rest. Sweaters are cozy, comforting, and soft – but how much should you actually be washing them?
It might be surprising, but our laundry pros actually warn that the answer is likely less than you already are.
Here, they explain why your winter woollies are things you are washing too frequently, and reveal exactly how much you should be.
How Often Should Winter Sweaters Be Washed?
As Rechelle Balanzat, founder and CEO of Juliette, shares, 'Most sweaters do not need frequent washing.'
In fact, when it comes to doing laundry, most wool and cashmere knitwear can actually go three to five wears before washing, Rechelle explains.
'If you wear a base layer underneath, such as a tee or turtleneck, you can often go even longer,' she adds. 'Some heavier winter knits can go an entire season without a full wash as long as there are no stains or odors. The only time you should wash immediately is when there is visible soil, heavy sweat, or a strong odor.'
Therefore, whether you're washing cashmere or any other knitwear, the key thing to remember is that washing them too much is a laundry habit ruining your laundry. Cutting down is also a smart way to do less laundry, and will help you to save money on laundry, too.
Alicia Sokolowski, laundry expert and co-CEO of AspenClean, agrees, adding that the washing frequency of your sweater will depend on its material.
She explains that wool, cashmere, merino, and alpaca fibers are naturally odor-resistant and, to some degree, self-cleaning. 'Therefore, they do not require frequent washing. You should wash these, ideally, every five to 10 wears.
'Cotton absorbs sweat and odors more easily than wool, so it needs more frequent washing, ideally, every two to five wears. Synthetic fibers can trap odors more quickly but don't degrade easily with washing. With synthetic materials, a wash every three to seven wears is sufficient.'
And, for chunky knits, Alicia says, 'These are harder to wash, but as they usually don't sit directly against the skin, we recommend washing them only every 8-10+ wears,' she adds.
Why You Can Wash Sweaters Less
As Rechelle explains, 'Washing creates friction. Friction weakens fibers.
'Every wash cycle causes stress on the knit. It leads to pilling, stretching, fading, and misshaping. Wool and cashmere are naturally odor-resistant and moisture-wicking. They simply do not cling to sweat the way cotton tees do,' particularly as they rarely come into direct contact with the skin.
And, most importantly, she stresses, 'When you overwash, you shorten the life of your sweater and dull its natural beauty.'
How to Protect Your Sweaters When You Do Wash Them
'When you wash your sweaters, think of them as delicate luxury items,' advises Rechelle. 'Handle them with intention.'
Here's what our pros recommend:
- Use a delicate detergent: 'Harsh detergents can strip and weaken fibers,' says Rechelle. 'Choose formulas made specifically for wool and cashmere, such as The Laundress Delicate Wash available at Amazon, and the Sonett Organic Olive Laundry Liquid for Wool and Silk available at Walmart. These clean gently and help maintain softness.' Preferably, adds Alicia, the detergent you choose should be enzyme-free, as enzymes in regular detergents can damage wool and cashmere. 'Make sure to use only a small amount.'
- Use a mesh laundry bag: Always wash sweaters inside out, and place them in a mesh bag. 'This reduces friction and protects the knit,' says Rechelle. For this, she recommends the Mainstays Mesh Wash Bag Set available at Walmart, or the Whitmor Zippered Mesh Wash Bags available at Amazon.
- Wash cold using a gentle cycle: 'Use cold water,' continues Rechelle. 'Select the delicate or wool cycle. Or hand-wash for anything truly luxurious or fragile,' being sure to avoid any handwashing laundry mistakes. 'Warm or hot water can shrink natural fibers or cause felting,' adds Alicia.
- Dry flat: Sweaters are things never to put in the dryer, even for a short cycle. 'Reshape the sweater while it is damp and lay it flat on a towel or drying rack,' advises Rechelle. 'Hanging will stretch it.' For that reason, you should always fold these clothes to save space and prevent them from becoming misshapen.
- Avoid fabric softener: You should also not use fabric softener in laundry when washing knitwear. 'Softener can coat the fibers, reducing breathability and making sweaters prone to pilling,' warns Alicia.
Finally, the simplest way to freshen up your knitwear, says Rechelle, is to simply air out your sweaters between wears. 'Lay it flat for a few hours,' she directs. 'This refreshes the fibers naturally,' and is one of the easiest ways to make laundry smell better.
What to Shop
This laundry detergent protects knitwear from fading, pilling, and stretching, and works even in cold water.
This mesh laundry bag helps protect clothes from stretching and snagging, and is both washer and dryer-safe for convenient use.
This laundry detergent is hypoallergenic and formulated without any harsh ingredients to keep clothes looking like new.
This sweater drying rack is stable, durable, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
This fabric spray is formulated to freshen and dewrinkle wool knitwear, with a perfumer-crafted cedar fragrance.
This sweater drying rack features a generously sized mesh surface for fast drying, and can conveniently be used on countertops.
Meet the Experts
'Washing less is not only easier,' says Rechelle. 'It is the key to keeping your sweaters luxurious, soft, and beautiful for years. Treat your knitwear with the same intention you would give a pair of heels or a favorite bag. Gentle care always wins,' and, in this case, regular, frequent washing is a laundry rule you can break.
