3 Easy Steps to Keep Your School Cardigan Looking New

School cardigans get worn every day and everywhere in between. With all that use, it’s important to clean and wash them the right way. So your child and cardigan remain looking good. Fortunately, the process is pretty simple and straightforward. Which means you can be easily incorporate it into your routine.

Step 1: Wash Gently

Turn the cardigan inside out and use the gentle cycle with cold water. Always use mild detergent and fabric softener. This helps prevent shrinking and pilling so the sweater keeps its shape.

Step 2: Dry Flat

Never hang a wet cardigan — it can stretch out. Instead, lay it flat on a clean towel to air dry. If you need to use the dryer, choose air-only or the lowest heat setting.

You can hang dry an acrylic cardigan, but it’s not the best idea

• When wet, acrylic fibers can stretch out of shape if they’re hanging, especially at the shoulders. This is why the standard recommendation is to lay flat to dry.
• If you must hang dry (say, no flat surface available), the safest way is to use a padded hanger or fold the cardigan over the middle of a hanger (like draping it over a towel bar) so the weight is distributed evenly.
• Never hang it in direct sunlight or near high heat, since acrylic is heat-sensitive and can fade or lose softness.

👉 Best practice: Lay flat to dry → keeps the cardigan’s original shape and fit much longer.

Step 3: Quick Touch-Ups

Acrylic Fabric for the most part does not need to be ironed, but if you ever do, use the lowest heat setting.  Be sure to also place a cloth between the iron and the fabric. This prevents direct heat from damaging the fabric, ensuring your cardigan stays in good condition.

Quick Care Checklist

• Cold wash, gentle cycle
• Mild detergent only
• Do not bleach
• Lay flat to dry
• Low iron if needed

Final Tip: A little extra care goes a long way. By following these steps, your child’s school cardigan will stay soft, neat, and ready for another day of learning.