Before we dive into this, we feel it's important to mention right off the bat that you don't have to, and shouldn't wash your sweaters after each wear. Depending on the knit and how much you found yourself sweating in it, they should go two to five wears before you go through the aforementioned process.

If you look at the care labels of your knits (to be clear, you always should), you may notice that some say you can dry clean or hand-wash cold, and some may say not to dry clean at all. This can be understandably intimidating, as being held responsible for the washing of your favorite knit may be a little stressful. However, listening to the care label can be important for several reasons, as dry-cleaning isn't exactly "dry." There's a lot of chemicals used that can either destroy or discolor your favorite sweaters, especially if they're darker. 

Fear no more, though, as we've broken it down rather simply for you below. 

Washing and Drying Delicate Knits at Home:

Step 1:
Fill your nearest sink, bathtub or large container with cold water. Add a mild soap or delicate detergent (we love The Laundress's Wool and Cashmere Shampoo). 

Step 2:
Turn sweater inside out, then immerse in water and swirl gently. Make sure you don't tug too hard, you don't want to stretch the fabric in any way. The sweater can stay in this wash for up to ten minutes. 

Step 3:
Drain the sink or empty the container and refill with cold water. Gently move sweater back and forth in clean water to rinse out the soap, and repeat until any soapiness is gone.

Step 4:
Drain the sink a final time and gently press sweater to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist, as these natural fibers are very delicate when wet.


Step 5:
Spread your knit on a hefty, clean towel. Gently roll the towel the way you would a yoga mat, pressing as you go to remove any dampness. Do not wring the towel.

Step 6:
Unroll, and lay your knit on another dry towel that’s been placed on a flat, waterproof surface.

Step 7:
Reshape your knit. Spread arms out straight, push ribbing together, align collar and button any buttons. After 12 to 24 hours (depending on the thickness of knit), turn sweater over and spread out on another dry towel. Take this time to do any fluffing!

Step 8:
Once completely dry, your sweater should be ready to wear. If any wrinkles or folds remain, use a steamer, not an iron, to remove.