How To Take Care Of Your Aran Sweater

Aran sweaters are made to last and, thanks to the durable nature of Aran yarn, they will last you years. To keep your favorite Aran sweater looking great for longer, learn how to take care of it. Here are some of our top tips for Aran sweater care.

How To Wash Your Aran Sweater

Aside from being one of the most versatile and stylish woolen fashion items around, Aran sweaters are very easy to care for. In fact, the less you wash them, the better they last!

The natural qualities of Aran yarn mean that odors linger less. Hang outside, or better still, lay the sweater flat on a clothes dryer in the fresh air to freshen it up.

As you get to know your sweater, you will get a feel for when a wash is needed. The best way to wash an Aran sweater is by hand washing.

• To start, you will need to soak the sweater thoroughly. Aran is thick and needs time to absorb water fully. Leave to soak in a clean basin of hand warm water.
• If you prefer to use a detergent, use a neutral, mild one suitable for woolens.
• Rinse the detergent out gently but thoroughly with fresh water.
• For dirtier areas, like make-up on the collar, use a gentle stain remover.
• Take care to handle your wet Aran carefully. Pulling or twisting can misshapen your sweater.

How To Dry your Aran Sweater

Keep some large bath towels on hand while washing your Aran sweater. These are a valuable ally when it comes to drying your sweater.

• Gently squeeze excess water out of the sweater without twisting the wool.
• Next, lay the sweater on top of one or two bath towels.
• Roll up the towel and the sweater from top to bottom like a swiss roll cake.
• Now squeeze the roll to get out the remaining water.
• You might have to do the sleeves separately with smaller towels.

When your sweater is damp and no longer dripping, lay it flat on a clean surface. This gives you a chance to spot any areas that have gotten out of shape or shrunken. Pull the area to reshape your Aran sweater; you can tug at it quite firmly to adjust the sleeve length.

With your sweater reshaped and rung out, lay it flat on a clothes dryer. Hanging a wet Aran sweater with pegs on a clothesline will result in an oddly stretched sweater.

When it’s not possible to dry clothes outside in the cooler months, make sure your damp sweater has plenty of air circulating it to dry.

Avoid leaving your sweater in the direct sunlight to dry. Direct heat can damage the wool. Also, never tumble dry, or your sweater will shrink to an irretrievable size.

Getting Stains Out Of Aran Sweaters

There is no need to wash the whole sweater to remove a stain. Instead, follow the steps above for the stained area only. For stains that smell (like white wine or garlic sauce), wash out the stain and then air dry. Aran doesn’t hold on to odors, so it will smell fresh again in no time.

How To Keep Your Aran Sweater Looking Good

Your Aran sweater is one of the most durable fashion items in your closet. It won’t easily get bent out of shape or torn and will never wrinkle. Making sweater storage a breeze.  However, take a minute to store it properly, and it will last years longer.

To store your clean, freshened Aran sweater, fold it carefully first. If possible, use a natural fiber bag or cardboard storage box to help retain the shape. Natural fibers like those in your Aran sweater like to breathe, so avoid storing in plastic containers if possible. For added freshness, pop a small lavender pouch or sachet in with your sweater. The lavender will also act as a deterrent for clothes moths which unfortunately like to munch on natural wool.

In Summary

Caring for your Aran Sweater is simple, and the care steps are minimal. For long-lasting Aran knitwear, remember:

• Freshen with fresh air.
• Handwash gently.
• Roll out excess water then dry flat, don’t hang.
• Reshape while damp.
• Spot treat stains.
• Store folded in a (non-plastic) box or bag.