September 13, 2021

How to Fold Sweaters: The Ultimate Guide to Sweater and Jumper Care

We’ve all been there when you’re trying to sort out your clothes and find there’s either not enough space, or you can’t get your jumpers to fit tidily. It’s super satisfying when you can leave your sweatshirts looking neat and organised, to reduce creases, too. This means that next time you reach for it, you’ll know exactly where to find it, and your sweater or clothes drawers look so satisfying. You’ll strive to keep everything neat and tidy rather than relying on the all - too familiar ‘clothes chair.’ 

How to Fold Sweatshirts

How to Fold Sweatshirts

Here’s our step by step guide to folding sweaters from Absolutely Bear: 

- Lay the sweater facedown

- Fold the arms straight in and across the jumper

- Fold one side even further into the middle

- Do the same on the other side

- Fold up and under for desired appearance 

Space-saving technique to fold sweaters  

If you want to go one step further in your organisation frenzy, then this technique’s a space-saver! This could be perfect as you head into the summer and need to store your much-loved favourites for a few months.

 - Lay the sweater facedown

- Fold the arms straight in and across the jumper

- Fold one side even further into the middle

- Do the same on the other side

- Rather than folding up once, fold down the sweatshirt multiple times, so that it ‘rolls’ into a much handier and compact rectangle. Now you can get organising to your heart’s content!  

Featured: The Carlton Urban Grey Organic Cotton Sweater

How to wash sweaters

- It’s important to wash sweaters at the right temperature, to make sure they don’t shrink or are damaged by the water temperature.

- For wool sweaters, it is recommended to wash them on a light wash at 30 degrees. Some washing machines will have a ‘delicates’ or ‘hand wash’ cycle - use these if they’re an option.

- It is better to wash sweaters on a cool wash rather than hot wash - you should also make sure the cycle is short to prevent long term wear and tear. Be sure to wash your sweater inside out, and make sure the spin speed is low, otherwise, the material quality could be affected.

- Choose a gentle detergent, too, as this will ensure your sweater feels soft on your skin and the quality of the organic cotton is not lost. 

Luckily, cotton is a very durable material and can handle being washed frequently. It can be problematic for cotton to maintain its shape which is why it is always worth laying out your sweater after washing. Its molecular structure resists heat damage - in layman's terms, you don’t need to worry about ironing a jumper. It can take the heat! 

Do not tumble dry your sweater!

This can cause shrinkage and wear it down. It is always better to air dry your sweater. Avoid wringing it out, too; we recommend immediately hanging up your sweater or laying it out on a rack so it is not bunched up. This will give your jumper the best chance to dry naturally, without any bunching or creasing.

How to keep sweatshirts soft

Wool sweatshirts may need a little more care than cotton sweatshirts. It is recommended to wash them inside out, on a cold wash, and be sure to reshape the jumper when it is damp. Use a gentle cycle and a gentle detergent to avoid harsh chemicals damaging the quality or feel of the wool. 

How to shrink sweatshirts 

If you are looking to deliberately shrink your sweater, first look at the label to check the normal washing temperature. Some materials like cotton shrink easily. If the label instructs you to wash the clothing at a cold or colder temperature, then warm water will shrink it.

- Wash your sweatshirt in hot water. Place your garment in a bowl or sink, run it under hot water for between 10 and 15 minutes, before letting the sweatshirt cool.

- If you’d like to shrink it even more, or hot water hasn’t shrunk it efficiently, leave your sweatshirt in a bowl or sink of boiling water for 10 minutes. A 10 - 15 minutes of soaking time will cause the sweatshirt to shrink one size.

- To dry your sweatshirt, put it on a medium/ warm setting in the tumble dryer. Too much high heat can potentially damage the cotton fibres and change the shape and look of the sweatshirt.  Check regularly to see if you have reached the desired size and effect, before letting it air dry to room temperature again.

Paws for thought

Let’s take a moment to consider the impact washing temperature can really have. This can go further than shrinking your clothes! Washing clothes at 30 degrees won’t change the cleanliness of your clothes, but can reduce the energy used every time by up to 40%, according to Energy Saving Trust. Where possible, always aim to wash at 30 degrees - a simple way to easily do your bit for the environment and reduce your carbon footprint!  

There you have it! Everything you needed to know about folding, washing and shrinking sweaters. You’re welcome! If you want to know more about caring for your clothes, you can keep up to date with our blog, or check out our full range of sweatshirts.