How to Wash Ugly Sweaters Without Ruining Them

Ugly sweaters have become a beloved holiday tradition, but they require special care to keep them looking their best. These festive and often intricately embellished garments can be delicate and easily damaged if they are not washed and cared for properly.

Hand-Washing Ugly Sweaters

One of the most important things to keep in mind when washing ugly sweaters is that they should always be hand-washed. Machine-washing can cause shrinkage, stretching, and damage to the embellishments on the sweater. To hand-wash an ugly sweater, follow these steps:

• Fill a clean sink or basin with cold water. Hot water can cause the fibers of the sweater to shrink, so it's important to use cold water.
• Add a small amount of gentle detergent to the water. You only need a small amount of detergent – about a tablespoon – to clean the sweater.
• Gently submerge the sweater in the water. Use your hands to swirl the sweater around in the water, making sure it is fully submerged.
• Let the sweater soak for 10-15 minutes. This will give the detergent time to break down any dirt or stains on the sweater.
• Drain the water from the sink or basin. Gently press the sweater against the side of the sink or basin to remove excess water, but be careful not to wring or twist the sweater.

• Refill the sink or basin with clean, cold water. Swirl the sweater around in the water to rinse any remaining detergent.
• Repeat step 5 to remove excess water from the sweater.
• Lay the sweater flat on a clean towel. Roll the towel up with the sweater inside to remove excess water.
• Unroll the towel and lay the sweater flat on a clean, dry towel. Reshape the sweater if necessary, and allow it to air dry.
• It's important to note that you should never use a dryer to dry an ugly sweater – even if you use a low heat setting, the heat can cause damage to the sweater's fibers and embellishments.

Using a Washing Machine

While hand-washing is the best way to care for an ugly sweater, there are some situations where you may be able to use a washing machine. For example, if the sweater is made from a machine-washable material like cotton or acrylic, or if the care label on the sweater indicates that it can be machine-washed, you may be able to wash it in the machine.

However, there are some important things to keep in mind if you choose to use a washing machine:

• Use a gentle cycle. A gentle cycle will help prevent stretching and damage to the embellishments on the sweater.
• Use cold water. Hot water can cause the fibers of the sweater to shrink, so it's important to use cold water.
• Use a mild detergent. Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach, as these can damage the sweater's fibers and embellishments.
• Place the sweater in a mesh laundry bag. This will help protect the sweater from damage during the wash cycle.
• Avoid using a dryer. Even if the care label on the sweater indicates that it can be tumble-dried, it's best to air dry the sweater to prevent damage to the fibers and embellishments.

Removing Stains from Ugly Sweaters

Accidents happen, and sometimes ugly sweaters end up with stains from food, drink, or other substances. If your sweater becomes stained, it's important to treat the stain as soon as possible to prevent it from setting in.

To remove a stain from an ugly sweater, follow these steps:

• Blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess liquid or substance.
• Mix a small amount of gentle detergent with cold water to create a cleaning solution.
• Dip a clean, soft cloth into the cleaning solution and gently dab at the stain, working from the outside in.
• Rinse the cloth with cold water and continue to dab at the stain until it is no longer visible.
• Blot the sweater with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess water.
• Lay the sweater flat on a clean towel and allow it to air dry.

It's important to note that you should never use bleach or other harsh chemicals to remove stains from an ugly sweater, as these can damage the fibers and embellishments on the sweater.