How to Wash an Extra Fine Merino Wool Sweater

Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep and it’s naturally soft, warm, moisture-resistant texture makes it highly valuable. Because the fine wool fibers are delicate, they need a little bit of special treatment. Use a wool-safe detergent and wash your sweater gently and it will look good as new. If you spill something on your sweater, try to clean it up quickly before the stain has a chance to set in.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Machine-Washing the Sweater

1
Check the care label to make sure it’s safe to machine-wash. Locate the tag inside the sweater on the collar or near the bottom. Read it for information about how to care for the sweater and check to see if it’s safe to wash in a washing machine.^{[1]XResearch source}
- There may also be symbols such as a washing machine with a line through it, which indicates the sweater can’t be machine-washed.
- If there isn’t a tag, or you’re unsure if it’s machine-safe, consider handwashing the sweater to be on the safe side.
- You could also look up the brand and sweater online to see if it’s machine-safe.
2
Turn the sweater inside out and place it into a protective bag. Flip the sweater inside out to protect designs, buttons, or anything else on the exterior. Put the sweater into a mesh bag designed for washing machines to keep it protected.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You could use a protective bag designed for bras or delicate items as well.
- Avoid putting the merino sweater directly into the machine without a protective bag. The agitation of the washing machine could damage or stretch the material.
3
Place the bag in your washing machine and add wool-safe detergent. Insert the bag with your sweater into your washing machine by itself so it isn’t stretched or squished by other items. Choose a wool-safe detergent and add the recommended amount to your washing machine.^{[3]XResearch source}
- For 1 sweater, add about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of wool-safe detergent to your washing machine.
- You can find wool-safe detergent at your local department store. Popular brands include Woolite, Alparino Wool Wash, and Martha’s Wool Wash.
4
Wash the sweater on a gentle, cold-water cycle. Set your washing machine to a gentle wash cycle so the agitation that cleans your sweater won’t stretch or damage the fine merino wool. Use a cold-water setting, which won’t shrink the fibers. Allow the sweater to wash for the full cycle.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If your machine doesn’t have a gentle or cold-water setting, don’t wash your merino wool sweater in it.
- Some washing machines may have a setting labeled “Delicate” instead of “Gentle.”
5
Roll the sweater up in a dry towel to remove excess water. Take your sweater out of the washing machine when the cycle is done and lay it flat on top of a clean towel. Roll up the sweater in the towel and gently squeeze it to remove the excess water.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Squeezing out the excess water will help prevent mildew and odors.
- Don’t twist or wring out the sweater or you could stretch and warp the fibers.
6
Lay the sweater flat to air dry. Place the towel in a cool location out of direct sunlight. Unroll it so it’s flat and leave the sweater to fully dry on its own before you wear or store it.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Don’t place a merino wool sweater on a hanger and hang it to dry or it can stretch.
- Sunlight can bleach or discolor the sweater.
- Turn on fans to increase circulation in the room and help the sweater dry more quickly.
- Never dry a wool sweater in a machine dryer! The heat and air will cause the sweater to shrink and the tumbling can warp the material.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hand-Washing the Sweater

1
Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of wool-safe detergent and cold water. Fill a sink or a bucket with cold water and add some wool-safe detergent. Use your hands to mix up the solution so it’s nice and soapy.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Warm water can shrink the fine wool fibers, so be sure to use cold or cool water.
- Use a detergent specially designed for wool such as Woolite, Alparino Wool Wash, or Martha’s Wool Wash.
2
Soak the sweater in the solution for 5-10 minutes. Submerge the sweater in the water to soak it. Leave the sweater for 5-10 minutes to saturate the fibers with the cleaning solution.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If the sweater keeps floating to the surface, put a mug or a plate on top of it to hold it underwater.
3
Swish the sweater around while it soaks to work the soap into it. Every minute or so, use your hands swish the sweater around in the water, work up a lather, and drive the soap suds deep into the wool fibers. Gently rub the sweater together to remove dirt, oil, and grime from the surface.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Be gentle with the sweater so you don’t stretch the fibers.
4
Squeeze out the excess water gently. Lift the sweater out of the water and let the excess run off. Use your hands to gently squeeze the sweater and press out additional water so it isn’t fully saturated.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Don’t twist or wring the wool or you could warp and stretch the material.
- Squeezing out the excess water helps the sweater dry more quickly and reduce the risk of mildew.
5
Lay the sweater flat on a clean towel to air dry. Place a clean towel on a flat surface out of direct sunlight, which can discolor the wool. Lay the sweater over the towel so there aren’t any creases or fold. Allow the sweater to fully dry before you store it or wear it.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Increase airflow in the room with a fan to help the sweater dry faster.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Odors and Stains

1
Drape the sweater over a clothing line for 30 minutes to air it out. Merino wool is naturally more resistant to odors than other fibers, and you can often remove funky or stale smells simply by airing it out. Drape the sweater over a clothesline, drying rack, or another surface in a location with good circulation. Check on the sweater after 30 minutes to see if the smell has improved.^{[12]XResearch source}
- If the sweater is still smelly, you may want to go ahead and wash it.
2
Soak up stains immediately with a damp sponge to minimize damage. As soon as a spill occurs on your sweater, soak a clean sponge in cool water, and wring out the excess. Press the sponge against the spill to soak up the liquid and reduce the severity of the stain.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Dab the area a few times if it’s necessary to remove as much of the spill as you can.
3
Dab stains with a cloth soaked in mineral spirits to remove them. Mineral spirits, also known as white spirits, are a potent cleaner that won’t stain or discolor your merino wool sweater. Soak a clean cloth in mineral spirits and gently dab the stained area to clean and remove the stain.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Mineral spirits can dry out or irritate your skin, so put on a pair of cleaning gloves to be safe.
- After you remove the stain, you may want to wash the sweater to remove the smell of the mineral spirits.
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