Q&A for How to Shrink a Wool Sweater

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  • Question
    Is wool easier to shrink than cotton?
    Susan Stocker
    Professional Cleaner
    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.
    Professional Cleaner
    Expert Answer
    Yes, wool will shrink dramatically faster than cotton. It'll get a lot smaller too. I've seen some XL wool garments go down to toddler size with a hot wash or two. Synthetic fabrics tend to be the hardest to shrink.
  • Question
    Can wool shrink in the dryer?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    If you dry wool on high-heat in the dryer, it will definitely shrink. If you plan to machine-dry wool, and you don't want it to shrink, set it to a no-heat setting. If you want the wool to dry completely, with only minor shrinkage, set your dryer to low-heat.
  • Question
    Does wool shrink every time you wash it?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Most wool will shrink if you don't wash and dry it properly. If you machine-dry wool on high-heat, it may shrink drastically. However, some wool garments may have already been pre-shrunk, so you can machine dry them on medium heat without risking additional shrinkage. Check the label on the garment for specific washing and drying instructions to avoid over-shrinkage.
  • Question
    Can you fix a shrunken wool sweater?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    You can loosen the wool fabric of the sweater to see if it will relax and lose some of its shrinkage. Soak the wool sweater in a sink of lukewarm water with some fabric softener for up to 30 minutes. When it's finished, wring out the excess water and hang the sweater to air dry.
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