There are certain things in life that improve with age.
Good wine. Old houses. Slightly disreputable friends.
And, if properly looked after, a very good wool sweater.
A beautifully made wool sweater should not be treated like an ordinary T-shirt. Wool is a natural fibre, and one of its great advantages is that it does not need washing after every wear. In fact, washing wool less often can help it last considerably longer.
So, before putting your favourite knit anywhere near a washing machine, here is the House of FUND guide to how to wash a wool sweater without shrinking it, stretching it or committing an unforgivable act against knitwear.
How Often Should You Wash a Wool Sweater?
Not very often.
Wool naturally resists odours and dirt far better than many synthetic fibres. After wearing your sweater, allow it to air before folding it away.
Unless something has been spilled down the front — champagne counts — you may only need to wash your wool sweater after several wears.
Less washing means less friction, less stress on the fibres and, ultimately, a sweater that stays beautiful for longer.
How to Wash a Wool Sweater by Hand
For precious lambswool knitwear, hand washing is the safest option.
- Fill a clean basin with cool or lukewarm water, ideally around 20°C.
- Add a small amount of gentle wool detergent. Avoid ordinary biological detergents, bleach and harsh cleaning products.
- Turn the sweater inside out and gently lower it into the water.
- Allow it to soak briefly, then move it carefully through the water with your hands.
Do not scrub it.
Do not twist it.
And under no circumstances attack it as though you are washing a rugby kit.
The fibres need rather more consideration.
Can You Wash a Wool Sweater in a Washing Machine?
Sometimes — but check the care label first.
If your sweater is specifically labelled as machine washable, choose the wool or delicate cycle, use cold water and select the lowest possible spin.
For fine lambswool or a treasured sweater, we still prefer hand washing.
The main enemies of wool are heat, friction and agitation. Combine all three and you may end up with a very expensive sweater suitable only for a small child.
How to Wash a Wool Sweater Without Shrinking It
If there is one rule worth remembering, it is this:
Avoid sudden temperature changes.
Hot water can encourage wool fibres to tighten and felt together. Aggressive movement makes the problem worse.
To prevent shrinking:
- use cool water
- use a specialist wool detergent
- wash gently
- never wring or twist
- do not tumble dry
- keep the water temperature consistent
Simple, really. Wool does not require complicated treatment. It merely dislikes being bullied.
How Should You Rinse a Wool Sweater?
Drain away the soapy water and refill the basin with clean water at roughly the same temperature.
Gently press the sweater beneath the water to remove the detergent.
You may need to repeat this once.
Avoid holding a wet sweater up by the shoulders, because the weight of the water can stretch the garment.
Support it properly as you lift it from the basin.
How to Dry a Wool Sweater
This is where many perfectly innocent sweaters meet an unfortunate end.
Never tumble dry wool.
Instead, place the sweater flat on a clean towel.
Gently roll the towel with the sweater inside to absorb excess water. Do not twist it.
Unroll it, reshape the sweater carefully and leave it to dry flat at room temperature, away from radiators and direct sunlight.
Do not hang a wet wool sweater on a clothes hanger. Gravity is an enthusiastic but unhelpful tailor.
How to Wash a Lambswool Sweater
Lambswool is wool taken from a sheep’s first shearing and is prized for being particularly soft, lightweight and warm.
The same basic rules apply: cool water, gentle detergent, minimal agitation and flat drying.
House of FUND sweaters are made from Scottish-spun lambswool and knitted in England, so we recommend treating them as the heirloom pieces they are intended to become.
Wash only when necessary and allow the natural properties of the wool to do most of the work.
What Detergent Should You Use for Wool?
Choose a detergent specifically designed for wool, cashmere or delicate natural fibres.
Avoid:
- biological detergent
- fabric softener
- bleach
- strong stain removers
If you need to deal with a stain, treat the affected area gently rather than vigorously rubbing the fibres.
Should You Iron a Wool Sweater?
Usually, there is little need.
Reshaping your sweater while damp will often remove most creases.
If ironing is necessary, use a cool wool setting and ideally place a clean cloth between the iron and the knit.
Steam can also help relax light creases.
How to Store Wool Sweaters
Always fold wool sweaters rather than hanging them.
Hangers can distort the shoulders and gradually change the shape.
Before storing knitwear for a long period, make sure it is clean and completely dry.
Natural fibres can attract moths, particularly if garments have traces of food or body oils on them.
Cedarwood and lavender sachets can be useful additions to a knitwear drawer.
And yes, there will be an entire House of FUND discussion about moths. They deserve their own chapter.
Can a Good Wool Sweater Last for Years?
It should.
Well-made wool knitwear was traditionally expected to be repaired, cared for and handed down rather than replaced every season.
That philosophy sits at the heart of House of FUND.
Our sweaters are knitted in England using Scottish-spun lambswool, embroidered with words worth remembering and designed to gather stories rather than be discarded when fashion changes.
A little care goes a very long way.
So wear it often.
Wash it rarely.
Fold it carefully.
And should you spill champagne on it, deal with the sweater first and the guest responsible shortly afterwards.
Explore House of FUND embroidered lambswool sweaters →
For a quick reference, see our product care guide.