How to Remove a Stain from a 100% Virgin Wool Sweater at Home

Read the label on the sweater. If it says “Dry clean only,” do not attempt to remove the stain yourself. Take the sweater to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. The less time the stain has to set, the better the chances are to remove it.

Blot the stain with a paper towel if it is still wet. Wool is naturally water repellent, so any liquid-based stains should bead up along the sweater fibers, rather than soak into them. However, liquid stains left untreated will soak into the fibers.

Brush any particles from the wool with a stiff-bristled brush. Do not scrub at the wool. The goal is to remove loose dirt or debris, not abrade the wool to remove stuck on debris.

Fill a tub with cool or room temperature water and 1 cup of baking soda. Do not use hot or ice cold water. Either extreme will cause the wool to shrink.

Press the sweater into the water and gently agitate it. Squeeze the sweater gently to allow the sweater to facilitate water absorption. Do not wring or twist the sweater, as it will distort the fibers.

Allow the sweater to soak for 10 minutes and then examine the stain.

Apply a small amount of mild, pure laundry detergent to the stain if it has not come out. Work the soap into the stain with your fingers and allow it to rest for another 10 minutes.

Agitate the sweater again and then rinse under cool, running water.

Squeeze out the excess water.

Lay the sweater on top of two towels and place a third towel on top of the sweater. Blot the sweater to remove the majority of the water trapped in the wool fibers. Change the towels as necessary until little or no water blots out.

Place the sweater on a drying rack and allow it to air dry flat. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hand.

Hang the sweater on a padded hanger once dry and align the seams of the sweater sleeves with the ends of the hanger to avoid getting hanger bumps. Any remaining wrinkles will fall out naturally within 24 hours.