How to Clean a Mohair Sweater: A Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Your Fluffy Mohair Knitwear Fresh
Mohair sweaters are cherished for their luxurious softness and fluffy texture, making them a wardrobe staple for colder months. However, to maintain the beauty and longevity of your mohair knitwear, proper cleaning and care are essential. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of cleaning a mohair sweater, ensuring that you can enjoy its cozy comfort year after year.
Understanding Mohair Fiber
Mohair comes from the fleece of Angora goats and is renowned for its unparalleled softness and lustrous sheen. Its natural fibers are durable and elastic, making mohair knitwear not only sumptuously comfortable but also resistant to wrinkles and stretching.
Because of these properties, mohair is often used in handmade luxury knitwear, where lightness, warmth, and durability are essential.
If you’d like to understand why mohair behaves differently from wool or other natural fibres, read our mohair material guide.
The Cleaning Preparations
Mohair fibres naturally repel dirt and rarely need washing. When washing is necessary, use a gentle detergent without lanolin. Lanolin can coat these fibres and reduce their natural lightness, softness, and airy texture over time.
Hand Washing Your Mohair Sweater
- Fill the basin or sink with lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water, as it may cause the mohair to shrink or lose its softness.
- Add a small amount of gentle detergent without lanolin to the water and mix it gently until it forms suds. This helps maintain the sweater's texture while effectively removing dirt and oils.
- Submerge the mohair sweater in the soapy water, and gently agitate it with your hands. Be cautious not to wring, stretch, or twist the garment, as it may lead to damage.
- Let the sweater soak in the soapy water for about 15 minutes. This gives the detergent time to work on any trapped dirt or odors.
- After soaking, drain the soapy water and rinse the sweater with clean, lukewarm water until all the detergent is thoroughly washed out.
Removing Excess Water
Lay a clean towel flat on a surface and place the rinsed sweater on top. Roll the towel and sweater together, gently pressing to remove excess water. Avoid wringing out the mohair, as this could misshape the fibers.
Reshaping and Drying
Lay the damp mohair sweater on a flat drying surface, such as a fresh, dry towel. Carefully reshape the sweater to its original dimensions, ensuring the sleeves and body are aligned neatly.
Drying the Sweater
Find a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight or heat sources to allow the sweater to air dry naturally. Mohair knitwear is delicate, and excessive heat could lead to damage or shrinkage.
Fluffing Up Your Mohair Sweater
Once your mohair sweater is completely dry, gently fluff it up by shaking it out or using a soft brush. This process will restore its fluffy texture and add a renewed luster to the fibers - see our full guide on how to fluff mohair after washing.
Airing routine
Airing mohair garments in between washes is an essential part of their care routine. It helps refresh the fibers, remove odors, and maintain the garment's shape and texture. If you follow a proper airing routine and avoid spills or stains, you can reduce the frequency of washes and prolong the life of your beloved mohair garments.
Mohair also wears beautifully in smaller pieces - discover mohair in accessories: elegance and longevity for timeless styling ideas.
With proper care and cleaning, your mohair knits will remain a cherished part of your wardrobe for years to come.
Related Mohair Guides
These guides will help you keep your mohair knitwear beautiful for years.
Mohair Material Guide
How to Fluff Mohair After Washing
Mohair in Accessories: Elegance and Longevity
