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How to Wash and Dry Cardigans and Pullovers Without Stretching or Shrinking Them

Follow the care label, wash gently, press water out in a towel, and dry knitwear flat when directed to help prevent stretching or distortion.
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Start with the garment’s care label: it determines whether that cardigan or pullover can be machine washed, must be hand washed, or needs professional cleaning—and how it may be dried. There is no single safe cycle for every knit. To help prevent stretching, handle wet knitwear gently, remove water without wringing, and dry it flat whenever the label or fiber-specific guidance calls for it.

Check the care label before washing

Look for both washing and drying instructions. The label may specify machine washing, hand washing, dry cleaning, or a particular drying method. Follow those directions rather than assuming that a cycle or temperature that worked for another sweater is safe for this one.

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In the United States, the FTC’s Care Labeling Rule requires covered apparel labels to state a regular washing or dry-cleaning method and specified care instructions. The FTC defines “dry flat” as laying a garment horizontally to dry; that instruction does not need a separate “do not tumble dry” warning.

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Choose a wash method that matches the garment

If the label allows machine washing

For a wool garment whose care claim permits machine washing, Woolmark recommends a wool cycle or a cold/delicates cycle with a neutral, mild wool detergent. Turn the garment inside out or place it in a laundry bag to help protect the knit. Woolmark’s advice applies to garments carrying the relevant machine-wash care claim; it is not permission to machine wash every wool item.

If the label says hand wash

For wool marked hand wash only, Woolmark describes using clean lukewarm water and mild wool detergent, soaking for 10 minutes, rinsing thoroughly in lukewarm water, then giving the garment a final cold rinse. For sweaters more generally, the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) advises cold water when the right temperature is uncertain and detergent formulated for delicates.

Gently swish the garment in the water instead of rubbing, scrubbing, or wringing it. Rinse thoroughly. Wool-specific washing directions should not automatically be applied to other fibers or blends; follow their own labels.

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If the label says dry clean only

Use professional dry cleaning as directed. Do not substitute a hand-wash or machine-wash method based only on the garment’s appearance or knit construction.

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Remove water without pulling the knit out of shape

After hand washing, support the garment’s weight rather than lifting it by one shoulder or sleeve while it is saturated. ACI recommends rolling a sweater in a towel and pressing gently to draw out excess water. Do not twist or wring it: pulling a wet knit can distort its shape.

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Dry the cardigan or pullover flat

Lay the damp garment horizontally, reshape it gently, and leave it to dry flat if the label specifies that method or the fiber guidance recommends it. Woolmark suggests using a pale, lint-free towel; a flat garment-drying mesh screen is another option if you do not have a suitable surface.

Woolmark warns that hanging or line drying a wet knitted garment can make it stretch under the weight of retained moisture, lengthening it and changing its shape. ACI also advises drying hand-wash-only sweaters flat because hanging can stretch them. For wool, dry away from direct sunlight and heat: Woolmark cautions that these can damage or discolor the garment, and advises against drying a wool sweater over a radiator.

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Tumble dry only when the garment’s label permits it

Do not assume that low heat is safe for every cardigan or pullover. Woolmark recommends low heat or a wool/delicates setting only for Woolmark-approved garments whose care claim specifically says they can be tumble dried. For wool without that claim, it recommends flat drying. For other fibers and blends, use the garment’s own label to decide whether tumble drying is allowed and under what conditions.

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Quick care checklist

  • Read the garment’s washing and drying instructions before starting.
  • Use a wool cycle or cold/delicates cycle for wool only when its care claim allows machine washing.
  • Hand wash gently: swish, rinse thoroughly, and do not rub or wring.
  • Press excess water out with a towel while supporting the garment.
  • Dry flat when directed or recommended; do not hang a wet knit unless its care instructions support that method.
  • Use a tumble dryer only when the garment’s label explicitly permits it.

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