Method 1: Using a Washing Machine
1. Check the care label on your sweater. First, check the label on your sweater to see if there are any special care instructions. Care labels are usually sewn inside the side of the sweater or behind the size label at the back of the neck.
2. Spray any stains with a stain remover. Before putting your sweater in the washing machine, consider treating any stains you see with a stain remover such as OxiClean Versatile or Shout Advanced. Follow the instructions on the label of your chosen cleaner. For example, some stain removers may require you to leave the stain remover on the stain for 10 minutes before putting the sweater in the washing machine.
Different types of stains require different types of stain removers, so take some time to decide which stain remover is right for your sweater.
3. Put your sweater in the washing machine. Wash your sweater with other items of the same color family. If your sweater is white, wash it with other white items. If your sweater is dark, wash it with other dark items.
4. If your sweater is brightly colored and hasn't been washed before, wash it separately the first time to ensure the color doesn't stain other clothes.
5. Pour in laundry detergent. Check the back of the detergent container to determine the amount to use based on the amount of laundry you're loading. For most cotton sweaters, you can use a regular multi-purpose detergent or a mild detergent.
Liquid detergents are generally best for removing greasy or oily stains. Powder detergents are excellent for removing dirt or mud.
6. Choose the gentlest cycle. On your washing machine, turn the knob or press a button to select a wash cycle named wool, hand wash, or delicate. If there's no delicate wash cycle option, choose the shortest available cycle. This helps prevent harsh wash cycles from damaging your sweater.
7. Choose your water temperature. Use cold water for brightly colored sweaters and warm water for light-colored sweaters. Cold water helps retain the color of sweaters, so if you're unsure, choose cold water for your sweaters. Avoid washing sweaters in hot water unless the label explicitly states that hot water is allowed.
Method 2: Air Drying a Cotton Sweater
1. Tumble dry the sweater on a low heat for only 5 to 10 minutes. After washing, place the sweater in the dryer for a few minutes to remove any stiffness. Choose a low heat option to minimize shrinkage. After 5-10 minutes, remove the sweater from the dryer.
2. Lay the sweater flat on a towel or sweater hanger to dry. Lay the sweater in the shape it would be worn on your body. This means the body part should be flat, while the arms and shoulders should be in the shape they would be when worn. Do not hang the sweater, as this may cause it to stretch or create hanger bulges at the shoulders; however, if you must hang it, do so correctly as suggested here.
If possible, place the towel on a tile floor, not a carpet. Otherwise, your carpet will also become wet as the sweater soaks the towel.
3. Iron your sweater. Cotton is heat-resistant and can withstand repeated use of an iron. Check the sweater's label for specific ironing instructions.
Method 3: Extend the Life of Your Sweater
1. Hand Wash. Hand wash your sweater. If the care label on your sweater recommends hand washing, it's best to follow that advice. Alternatively, if your washing machine doesn't have a gentle wash cycle, you can also hand wash your sweater. To do this, fill a sink or bathtub with cold water, add laundry detergent, and place the sweater in the sink or bathtub to soak for a while. Gently rub the sweater for a minute or two, then rinse until the water runs clear.
Hand washing sweaters can help extend their lifespan and maintain their quality because it's gentler than machine washing.
2. Turn the sweater inside out. Simply reach inside the sweater and gently pull out the sleeves to turn it inside out.
3. Place your delicate cotton sweater in a zip-top pillowcase or laundry bag. Simply take a clean, zip-top pillowcase and place the sweater inside. Then put the pillowcase in the washing machine, select a gentle wash cycle, and wash the sweater.
Tips:
If your sweater gets stained, try to remove it immediately. Consult a stain chart to learn the best ways to remove stains. Continue your stain removal process following the washing instructions above.
Warning:
Cotton sweaters may lose their shape after multiple washes and wears.
Cotton blend sweaters are more prone to pilling, so avoid using a tumble dryer. You can continue to lay the sweater flat to dry.
