How to Wash Fuzzy Sweaters

We've all had it happen at least once—the fluffy sweater you loved has lost its softness and now the fabric is pilled. This might mean you need to change the way you wash your soft sweater, either by hand or in the machine. Making a few simple care changes can keep your comfy sweater looking great, and if you do see a few fuzzy pills, don't worry. It only takes a few minutes to get them off.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Machine-Washing

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1
Check the label to see if it's machine-washable. The care label is your friend! Importantly, it tells you if you can wash the fuzzy sweater in the machine or if you should hand-wash or dry-clean it. The label also tells you what water temperature to use so you don't accidentally shrink your sweater.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you see a symbol that has a washing machine with a line crossing through it, don't stick the sweater in the machine.
- Can't find a care label? Play it safe and wash the sweater by hand instead.
2
Turn the sweater inside out to prevent friction. Friction is the enemy of fuzzy sweaters since all that rubbing makes the fluffy fibers clump together. Flipping the sweater inside out minimizes that friction.
- Are you washing a delicate fabric like merino? Toss the sweater into a mesh laundry bag to give it even more protection in the machine.
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3
Put the sweater into the machine with 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of liquid detergent. It's totally fine to wash your fuzzy sweater with a few other garments, but don't overload your machine! If you do, the clothes rub against each other more, which causes pilling. Don't forget to put 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of liquid laundry detergent in for a small load.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Don't want to use liquid detergent? It's totally fine to use powdered detergent as long as you dissolve it in a little water first. This prevents the powder from rubbing against the fabric of your fuzzy sweater.
4
Run the machine on a gentle or delicate cycle. You're all set! Just turn the machine to the gentle, delicate, or hand wash cycle and get it started. All of these cycle settings are slow so your fuzzy sweater won't rub back and forth against other items and lose its softness.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Most washing machines automatically adjust the water temperature when you select a gentle or delicate cycle, but if yours doesn't, manually choose a cool or cold water setting.
- If your machine as the option, choose a short or light cycle length. This way, your fuzzy sweater isn't agitated as long. Remember, the less your fuzzy sweater is stretched or rubbed, the softer it will stay.
5
Lay the fuzzy sweater flat to air dry. We know it's tempting to toss the sweater into the dryer, but don't do it! Even the delicate cycle on a dryer can damage the fibers and cause static electricity to build up, which makes your sweater look shaggy. Instead, spread your sweater flat on a dry, absorbent towel and leave it to air dry completely.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Since the sweater will hold its shape as it dries, it's really important to smooth out wrinkles.
- Want to speed up the drying time? Lay the sweater to dry near a dehumidifier or fan.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hand-Washing

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1
Fill a sink with lukewarm water and 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of laundry detergent. Washing a fuzzy sweater by hand might seem like a big effort, but it's actually really easy. Start by filling a clean sink at least half full with lukewarm water. Then, pour in 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of liquid laundry detergent and swish the water with your hand until it becomes sudsy.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Is your fuzzy sweater too bulky to fit in your sink? Don't worry! Fill your bathtub 1/3 to 1/2 full with water and use twice as much detergent.
2
Flip your sweater inside out and submerge it in the soapy water. One of the easiest ways to keep your sweater soft and fluffy is to turn it inside out before you wash it. This way, the fluffy fabric doesn't rub against itself and pill. Then, push the sweater down into the soapy water.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Although you could wash more than 1 item with the sweater, it's better to wash the sweater by itself to reduce friction.
3
Swish the sweater in the water to loosen dirt and grime. Grab the sweater and swirl it around in the water for a few seconds so the soapy water gets into the fibers. If your sweater is really dirty or smelly, swish it for up to 1 minute.^{[7]XResearch source}
- There's no need to squeeze or pull on the sweater since this damages the fibers.
4
Soak the sweater in the soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes. Now take a little break! Let your fuzzy sweater soak for at least 10 minutes without agitating it in the water. Soaking the sweater just gives the detergent a chance to remove dirt.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If your fuzzy sweater has a stain, give it a few extra minutes to soak.
Drain the sink and turn on the tap to run cold water. Hold the sweater under the cold water so the soapy detergent rinses away. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.^{[9]XResearch source}
6
Squeeze out the excess water and lay your sweater flat on a towel to dry. Push the sweater against the side of the sink so water drains. You can also squeeze the sweater between your hands, but be really careful not to pull, stretch, or twist the sweater since this can damage your sweater. Then, lay your sweater on a fluffy, absorbent towel to air dry.^{[10]XResearch source}
- In a hurry? To speed up the drying process, lay the sweater on a towel and roll the towel up. Squeeze the towel so it absorbs a lot of water. Then, lay your sweater flat on a dry towel to finish drying.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

De-Pilling the Sweater

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1
Drag a sweater comb or razor to manually get rid of a few pills. Don't wait until your sweater is completely covered with pills! It's a lot easier to remove a few pills as soon as you see them. Lay your sweater flat and drag a sweater comb over the surface of the sweater. A dry razor also works really well.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Keep the comb or razor on the surface of the sweater so it doesn't dig down into the fibers. If you're not careful, you could accidentally snag the fabric.
- Don't have a sweater comb or clean razor? A Velcro hair roller is also really effective at pulling off pills. Push the Velcro hair roller into the sweater and roll it across the sweater so it picks up the pills.
2
Rub a pumice or sweater stone over the sweater to remove tiny pills. If you'd rather de-pill a small area without worrying about snagging the sweater, buy a pumice or sweater stone. Lay the sweater flat and hold it taut with 1 hand. Then, press the stone onto the fabric and brush it away from you. Work in the same direction instead of going back and forth. The stone catches the tiny pills.^{[12]XResearch source}
- This is a kind of messy way to de-pill the sweater since the stone can leave some powder behind. Take a lint roller or piece of duct tape and press it over the sweater to remove the mess.
3
Run a sweater shaver over the sweater to automatically remove a lot of pills. If you have a sweater that's completely covered with fuzzy pills, save some time and buy a sweater shaver from a craft store. Lay your sweater flat and turn the shaver on. Then, press the blade against the sweater and rub it across the surface using circular movements. This is also a really good way to remove pet hair from your sweater.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Sweater shavers have compartments for trapping the pills they pick up. This makes clean up even easier!
- If you use a sweater shaver a lot, look for a rechargeable shaver that you can plug in to charge.

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Tips

Wear the sweater a few times before you wash it to minimize pilling.^{[14]XResearch source}
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Sweaters made of a blend of materials are more likely to pill. If you have the option, go for a 100% cotton sweater.
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