Jumper season: how not to shrink your good one

Wool hates heat and hates being wrung out. Dry it flat and it'll see you through a few winters.

Style · By the Natter Daily team · 1 min read · Thursday 17 September 2026

Check the care label first. Most wool jumpers can go in the machine on the wool or hand-wash cycle at 30C or lower, with a detergent made for wool. Turn it inside out before it goes in.

Drying

Don't wring it and don't tumble dry it. Roll it up in a dry towel and press to get the water out, then lay it flat on another towel or a drying rack and ease it back into shape. Hanging a wet jumper stretches it.

Bobbles

Bobbles come up where the jumper rubs, usually under the arms and on the cuffs. A fabric comb or a battery de-bobbler takes them off in a few minutes.

Storing it

Fold jumpers rather than hanging them. Put them away clean, since moths go for worn wool, and a sealed bag or a box with a lid keeps them out over summer.