To wash a sweater so it doesn't shrink, follow its care label, use cold water on a gentle cycle (or hand wash), and skip the dryer: lay it flat on a towel to dry instead. Dryer heat can shrink knits, and hanging a wet or heavy knit can pull it out of shape, so cold water, light handling and flat drying are what keep a sweater its original size.
Below is the routine we recommend for Eberjey knit loungewear, piece by piece, using the exact instructions on each care label, plus general knit-care tips.
Why sweaters shrink or stretch
Knits are made of interlocking loops, which is what makes them soft and drapey. That same structure is why they react to heat and weight.
- Heat: Fabrics, especially knits, can shrink if they are over-dried, and some knits can shrink in the dryer.
- Weight and hanging: Hanging a sweater can stretch it out of shape, which is why knits are best stored folded.
- Twisting: Wet fibers stretch easily, so support a wet sweater's weight and avoid twisting and wringing.
Start with the care label
Most clothing carries a permanent care label with instructions for regular care and warnings about anything that could harm the garment, so read it closely before laundering winter knits. Every Eberjey knit lists its own instructions, and they are not all the same: some pieces are machine washable, and some are hand wash only.
Eberjey knit care, piece by piece
| Piece | Composition | Wash | Dry and finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycled Sweater Cropped Cardigan ($168, sizes XS–XL) | 57% recycled cotton, 28% recycled acrylic, 15% recycled polyester | Machine wash cold with like colors; only non-chlorine bleach when needed; remove promptly after wash | Lay flat to dry; do not iron |
| Fine Gauge Sweater Pant ($168, sizes XS–XL) | 55% cotton, 45% acetate | Machine wash cold with like colors; only non-chlorine bleach when needed; remove promptly after wash | Lay flat to dry; do not iron |
| Pointelle Sweater Cardigan ($178, sizes XS–XL) | 30% recycled rayon, 29% polyester, 23% recycled acrylic, 18% recycled nylon | Hand wash cold with like colors; only non-chlorine bleach when needed; remove promptly after wash | Lay flat to dry; warm iron if needed |
| Coastal Cotton Sweater Crew Neck Pullover ($178, sizes XS–XL) | 55% cotton, 45% acetate | Machine wash cold; non-chlorine bleach only | Dry flat; do not iron |
| Recycled Boucle Hoodie ($158, sizes XS–XL) | 100% recycled polyester | Machine wash cold with like colors; only non-chlorine bleach when needed; remove promptly after wash | Lay flat to dry; do not iron |
Two things stand out. First, none of these labels calls for the dryer: every one says to lay flat or dry flat. Second, the Pointelle Sweater is the exception on washing (hand wash cold) and ironing (warm iron if needed), while the others say do not iron. Eberjey notes that the Pointelle Sweater yarn is verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. Shop the full ranges in Recycled Sweater loungewear, Pointelle Sweater and Recycled Boucle.
How to machine wash a sweater
For the pieces labeled machine wash cold:
- Wash with like colors in cold water, as the labels specify.
- Choose your machine's delicate or gentle setting. A delicate cycle is typically shorter, with slower agitation and spin, which is easier on loosely knit fabrics.
- Use only non-chlorine bleach, and only when needed.
- Remove the sweater promptly when the cycle ends so it doesn't sit wet and crumpled.
How to hand wash a sweater
For the Pointelle Sweater, or any knit labeled hand wash:
- Fill a clean basin with cold water and a little mild detergent, and keep like colors together.
- Gently press the suds through the knit. Don't rub, twist or wring it; squeeze the suds gently through the sweater instead.
- Rinse in cold water and support the sweater's full weight as you lift it, so it doesn't stretch.
- Roll it in an absorbent towel to draw out excess water, then unroll.
How to dry a sweater without stretching it
- Lay it flat on a dry towel or flat rack.
- Gently pat it back into shape: line up the shoulders, straighten the hem and cuffs, and smooth the ribbing.
- Skip the dryer. All five labels above say to lay flat or dry flat, and knits can shrink when over-dried.
How to store sweaters so they keep their shape
Once a sweater is fully dry, fold it and store it in a drawer or on a shelf. Folding is better than hanging for knits, since hanging can stretch a sweater or create bumps in the shoulder area. For more on keeping soft pieces looking new, read how to care for luxury sleepwear so it lasts for years and what causes pajamas to pill. If you are building a cold-weather wardrobe, see our winter loungewear essentials.
Frequently asked questions
How do you wash a sweater so it doesn't shrink?
Follow the care label, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle or by hand, and lay the sweater flat to dry instead of using the dryer. Knits can shrink when over-dried.
Can you put Eberjey sweaters in the dryer?
No. The care labels for the Recycled Sweater, Fine Gauge Sweater, Pointelle Sweater, Coastal Cotton and Recycled Boucle pieces all say to lay flat or dry flat.
Which Eberjey knits are machine washable?
The Recycled Sweater, Fine Gauge Sweater, Coastal Cotton and Recycled Boucle pieces are labeled machine wash cold. The Pointelle Sweater pieces are labeled hand wash cold.
Can I iron my sweater?
Check the label. The Pointelle Sweater label allows a warm iron if needed, while the Recycled Sweater, Fine Gauge Sweater, Coastal Cotton and Recycled Boucle labels say do not iron.
Should I hang or fold sweaters?
Fold them. Store knits folded in a drawer or on a shelf, because hanging can stretch them out of shape.
How do I get water out of a hand-washed sweater?
Press the water out gently without twisting or wringing, then roll the sweater in an absorbent towel and lay it flat to finish drying.
Sources
- Ohio State University Extension, “Sweater Weather”
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, “Sewing With Knit Fabric” (G92-1091)
- Kansas State University Cooperative Extension, “Laundering Guide” (MF-1014)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Laundry on Your Own”
- University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension, “I Will Make Things Last: Care of Clothing”
- Federal Trade Commission, “Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule”
