How to wash a cardigan?

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Need tips and guidance on how to wash a cardigan properly? You’re in the right place. Washing a garment made of natural fibers like wool or cashmere requires certain precautions to avoid unpleasant surprises. Plus, it’s always better to be well-informed to properly care for delicate items such as cardigans, wool sweaters, cashmere sweaters, or even fine-knit hats and scarves.

When it comes to maintenance, we immediately think of washing, drying, and spinning. It’s obvious, you say! Furthermore, it’s important to proceed in the most appropriate way to preserve your garment. Washing is good, but you especially want to avoid ending up with a shrunken, misshapen, or pilled garment afterward.

How to wash a cardigan in the washing machine?

Before we look at how to wash a cardigan in a washing machine, it’s essential to note that garments made of natural fibers, particularly wool knits, and especially merino wool, should be washed very rarely. Once per season is more than sufficient, as they say!

Very sensitive to friction, washing a cardigan or any other delicate garment should ideally be done in a mesh bag. It’s also better to turn it inside out before washing. This is an extra precaution to avoid ending up with a distorted cardigan or sweater.

Thus, to proceed with machine washing, here are some rules to consider:

Rule #1: Use the appropriate program

Of course, to wash a cardigan or a wool sweater in the machine, you need to ensure you’re using a “delicate wash” program or a “wool cycle.” Choose a short wash cycle, between 30 to 60 minutes.

You should also make sure to use a detergent specifically designed for wool or cashmere garments.

Rule #2: Ensure the correct temperature

The washing temperature for a knitted garment, whether wool or cashmere, should never exceed 30°C. Exceeding this temperature will definitely cause the wool sweater or cashmere sweater to shrink, or worse, to deform.

Rule #3: Set the spin intensity to minimum

To preserve your cardigan from pilling, the spin intensity should be set to minimum during machine washing. Ideally, it should be at 400 revolutions per minute.

How to wash a cardigan by hand?

Washing a cardigan by hand is possible under one condition: that you have quite a bit of experience in this area. Otherwise, it’s better to avoid hand washing.

For hand washing experts, here’s a little guide to properly wash your cardigan:

• Step #1: Soak your cardigan in cold or lukewarm water for about 20 minutes. The water temperature should not exceed 30°.

• Step #2: Target the stains to remove and gently rub evenly with a wool detergent or Marseille soap. Be careful with the amount of detergent! A small amount is more than sufficient. And remember to be gentle! Otherwise, pilling may occur.

• Step #3: Rinse in cold water until there is no more soap or detergent. Be especially careful not to twist the cardigan to avoid damaging the knit.

Spinning and drying your cardigan

Spinning and drying sweaters and cardigans require special attention. Made from natural fiber knits, this delicate garment can easily get damaged.

Tips for properly spinning a cardigan

To spin a cardigan, lay it flat. You should never put it in the dryer, much less twist it. To properly spin it, simply lay it on the bottom of the bathtub or shower. Then, gently press down on the sweater until the water drains out.

This precaution is even more essential when it comes to garments made of merino wool, cashmere, Shetland wool, or angora.

Another way to properly spin a cardigan is to roll it in a bath towel. Indeed, the bath towel will help absorb the excess water in the fibers.

The best way to dry a cardigan

First, know that you should never dry a wool or cashmere garment on a hanger. In the same vein, you should also avoid hanging it on a clothesline.

To dry a cardigan properly, simply lay it flat on a bath towel and let it air dry. Also, make sure not to place it directly in the sun or near a heat source. Heat will cause the wool or cashmere to shrink.

To learn more, check out our maintenance guide for your cardigan!

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