How to Wash a Cotton Sweater

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

Cotton sweaters are great for spring, fall, and winter weather. They are durable and come in many thicknesses. Unlike wool, cashmere, and other fabrics, cotton sweaters can be washed in the washing machine; however, you need to follow certain guidelines, such as using the delicate wash cycle and laying the sweater flat to dry, to keep the sweater looking great for as long as possible.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine

1
Check your sweater’s care label. The manufacturer who made your sweater knows the most about the fabric and what is best for it. Before anything else, check the tag on your sweater to see if there are any special care instructions. The care tag is often on the inside seam on the side of the sweater, or behind the size tag at the back of the neck.^{[1]
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2
Spray any stains with stain removal spray. Consider using a stain remover like OxiClean Versatile or Shout Advanced on any stains you see before putting the sweater in the washing machine.^{[2]
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Research source} Follow the instructions on the label of the cleaner you choose. For example, some stain removers may require that you leave the remover on the stain for 10 minutes before you put the sweater in the washing machine.
- Different stain removers are intended for different types of stains, so spend some time deciding what the right stain remover is for your sweater.^{[3]
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3
Place your sweater in the washing machine. Wash the sweater with other items that are in the same color group. If your sweater is white, wash it with other white items. If it is dark, wash it with other dark items. If the sweater is a bright color and has not been washed before, wash it by itself the first time to be sure that the color won’t stain your other clothes.^{[4]
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4
Pour in your laundry detergent. Check the back of your laundry detergent container to see how much you should use, given the amount of clothing in your load. For most cotton sweaters, you can use regular all-purpose laundry detergent or a gentle laundry detergent.
- Liquid detergents tend to work best for removing greasy or oily stains. Powder detergents work great for removing dirt or clay.^{[5]
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5
Choose the gentlest cycle. On your washing machine, turn the knob or press the button to select the cycle called “wool,” “hand-wash,” or “delicate.” If there is no delicate cycle option, choose the shortest cycle available. This will help prevent damage to your sweater from a rough wash cycle.^{[6]
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6
Choose your water temperature. Select cold water for bright-colored sweaters, and warm water for light-colored sweaters. Cold water can help the sweater maintain its color, so if in doubt, stick with a cold wash for your sweater. Avoid using hot water with sweaters, unless the care tag specifically says to.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drying Cotton Sweaters

1
Dry your sweater on low heat for only 5 to 10 minutes. After the sweater has been washed, put it in the dryer for a few minutes to remove any stiffness. Choose the low heat option to minimize any shrinkage. After 5-10 minutes, remove the sweater from the dryer.^{[7]
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2
Lay the sweater flat on a towel or a sweater rack to dry. Lay the sweater down in the shape that it will be on your body. This means that the body part is flat, and the arms and shoulders are in the form they are when you wear it. Do not hang your sweater, as that could cause it to stretch or get hanger bumps in the shoulders; however, if you must hang it, do so correctly––as advised here.
- If possible, set the towel on a tile floor, rather than on carpet. Otherwise, your carpet will get damp as the sweater soaks through the towel.
3
Iron your sweater, if necessary. Cotton is heat resistant so it can withstand repeated use of an iron. Check the sweater’s label to see if there are any special instructions regarding ironing.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Prolonging the Life of Your Sweater

1
Hand-wash your sweater. If your sweater’s care tag advises that you hand-wash the sweater, it is best to follow that advice. Also, you can hand-wash the sweater if your washing machine does not have a delicate cycle. To do so, fill a sink or tub with cool water, pour in laundry detergent, place the clothes in the sink or tub, and allow them to soak. Gently knead the clothes for a moment or two, and then rinse until the water runs clear.
- Hand-washing can help extend the life and quality of your sweater because it is more gentle than machine-washing.
2
Turn the sweater inside out. Your sweater will be less likely to wear or pill if it is inside out when you put it in the washing machine. Simply stick your hand inside the sweater and gently pull the sleeves to turn it inside out.
3
Place fine cotton sweaters in a zippered pillowcase or laundry bag. This can help protect your sweater from damage that may occur in the washing machine. Simply take a clean pillowcase with a zipper and place your sweater inside. Then, place the pillowcase in the washing machine, choose the delicate cycle, and wash the sweater.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you get armpit stains out of colored sweaters?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You'd be surprised, but lemon juice is actually really good for this. Mix 50% lemon juice with 50% warm water and scrub the stains until they disappear. Just make sure you juice real lemons for this. It won't work if you use the pre-bottled stuff.

Warnings

Cotton sweaters can lose their shape with repeated washing and wearing.

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Cotton blend sweaters will be more likely to pill, so avoid using the dryer for these. You can go ahead and lay the sweater flat to dry.

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