topic Re: Aran sweaters in Fashion

Aran sweaters

bargainsgirl — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:18:08 GMT

I am considering a purchase but how do you care for your sweater? Hand wash? Dry clean? How often? I would always wear a shirt under it so it may stay cleaner longer...

Re: Aran sweaters

SilleeMee — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:21:09 GMT

The directions say to 'dry clean only'.

Re: Aran sweaters

nascarfan — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:34:23 GMT

I've had Irish sweaters for years and just air them out once a year. I've never had a problem with them. 🍀

Re: Aran sweaters

Still Raining — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:43:41 GMT

I have some wool sweaters and never considered dry cleaning. Back in the day, we always hand washed and sweaters can last for years. Still do. Like you I always wear something under them and keep them for 'good'. Make to sure to wash before you put them away for summer. Moths love dirt.

Re: Aran sweaters

wagirl — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:55:26 GMT

I bought one years ago --was a merino wool and felt really nice but the dang thing pills like crazy--I donated it a few yearas ago. No more for me.

Re: Aran sweaters

FranandZoe — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:59:58 GMT

I have many wool sweaters - I store them in plastic ziplock type bags and I put a few silica packs in each bag. I read about the silica packs years ago in Parade Magazine. They really keep the moisture out and thus keep the moths away.

I think every year about buying an Aran sweater. Not sure why I haven't - the price I suppose.

I've both hand washed and had my sweaters dry cleaned.

Re: Aran sweaters

Beammeupscotty — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:37:47 GMT

I forget the name of the man who does the presentation for Aran Sweaters. He has stated in the past that they really recommend just airing out the sweaters once in a while even though the site says "dry clean".

I haven't had a problem with mine pilling. I bought one in 2024 that I wear the most and have never washed it or dry cleaned. Only wear it in cold months.

Re: Aran sweaters

msgb — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:53:22 GMT

I have a few and I knit one for my mother with Irish wool.

I think that I have just dry cleaned them if necessary.

Re: Aran sweaters

KittySoftPaws — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:58:26 GMT

I have so far, just one of their sweaters and I love it. I have only worn a few times but have not yet had it cleaned and I have had it a few years. It's still like new. I store it in an all organic cotton breathable bag I purchased on Amazon. They are gorgeous sweaters.

Re: Aran sweaters

amyb — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:50:32 GMT

I have four Aran Sweaters I love. Two I've had many years. I get them all dry cleaned, as I believe they recommend.

They've always come out nicely.

I don't do them that often, but as needed. Three of them I only wear occasionally, so I don't even do those once a year...maybe every few years; they hardly need it. One I bought a few years ago, more of a fashion one, I have not worn a lot, I've yet to dry clean. They all still look new.

The one I wear more often, to keep warm in the house, and out, always layered over a tee shirt, I've had cleaned the most, but even that one, not every year. Only as it needs it.

I do store them in a canvas garment bag, not hung, just folded, with cedar chips or lavender inside to keep bugs away.

QVC has a nice selection and decent pricing. I can't say enough how worth it I think they are. Well-made, authentic Irish knit, warm, classic/forever sweaters.

Re: Aran sweaters

Meowingkitty — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:18:12 GMT

I had a pretty pink one years ago and never wore it. Just to hot for Arizona. I ended up donating it.

Re: Aran sweaters

SharkE — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:21:59 GMT

I was in England yrs. ago and they had the Aran sweaters in some of the nicer shops. I looked at them and hollered 200 !!!!!!!! Aaargh!!!!!!!!! Husband said your not getting none of those.

He's gone now and I bought from QVC 2 long ones

and today I bought a short red one.

They are REALLY WARM !!!!!!! People in Michigan need to purchase. They don't let the wind in. If I don't want to wear a coat (in TX) in Jan. I'll make do with one of the sweaters. Always windy down here.

Re: Aran sweaters

SharkE — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:27:19 GMT

Looks better if you unbutton the top couple of buttons

put a sleevess tank under it if you want too.

Re: Aran sweaters

SharkE — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:29:09 GMT

A721747

Re: Aran sweaters

SilleeMee — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:44:21 GMT

@bargainsgirl wrote:
I am considering a purchase but how do you care for your sweater? Hand wash? Dry clean? How often? I would always wear a shirt under it so it may stay cleaner longer...

@bargainsgirl

On the AranCrafts dot com FAQ page I found this:

"How do I care for my new garment?"
"The golden rule is wash as seldom as possible and air frequently. We call this ‘wind-washing’, hang your garment out in the air and you will be amazed at how fresh it becomes. Never machine wash; they should be washed by hand using wool washing detergent and in cool water below 30 degrees Celsius. Always dry your jumper flat and never put in a tumble drier."

Re: Aran sweaters

SharkE — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:45:11 GMT

If it's cold enough to wear a Irish wool your not gonna be sweating. Tx winds can blow U to the ground so your not gonna be sweating.

I was walking towards the mailbox, thought I was, then

all of a sudden I was walking backwards that north wind was actually pushing me back and I'm a sturdy gal. Not fat, but, healthy , kind of big boned.

Scared me a little. That's the kind of weather when you need to break out the heavy wool sweaters. I just put on deodorant , most of the time I have a tank on underneath it anyway. Just don't drop food on it or spill something on it. Then, you would have to dry clean it probably cost 20. I keep mine folded up in a drawer and wear maybe 2-3 times a yr.

Re: Aran sweaters

geezerette — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:50:57 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@bargainsgirl wrote:
I am considering a purchase but how do you care for your sweater? Hand wash? Dry clean? How often? I would always wear a shirt under it so it may stay cleaner longer...

@bargainsgirl
On the AranCrafts dot com FAQ page I found this:

"How do I care for my new garment?"
"The golden rule is wash as seldom as possible and air frequently. We call this ‘wind-washing’, hang your garment out in the air and you will be amazed at how fresh it becomes. Never machine wash; they should be washed by hand using wool washing detergent and in cool water below 30 degrees Celsius. Always dry your jumper flat and never put in a tumble drier."

They're also quite easy to spot clean if you drop something on them.

I've rarely fully cleaned mine.

Re: Aran sweaters

skatting44 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:01:16 GMT

Beautiful sweater but don't need anymore wool ones

will pass

Re: Aran sweaters

amyb — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:59:43 GMT

@Beammeupscotty wrote:
I forget the name of the man who does the presentation for Aran Sweaters. He has stated in the past that they really recommend just airing out the sweaters once in a while even though the site says "dry clean".

I haven't had a problem with mine pilling. I bought one in 2024 that I wear the most and have never washed it or dry cleaned. Only wear it in cold months.

@Beammeupscotty The Aram sweater I've had the longest and wear the most pilled some, also, over time. When I took it to be dry cleaned last year (I hadn't done it in years), my dry cleaner, who's great, actually told me he de-pilled it, without my asking. Looks great!

You might either buy a depiller on Amazon, they have all kinds, and people swear by them. Or maybe you might dry clean it, with one you trust, (I would also keep airing them out, especially if you dry clean...good advice) and ask if yours will depill it.

Re: Aran sweaters

nyc1 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:51:12 GMT

@bargainsgirl I know I'm replying a day late, but I see you've received some excellent responses. I have 15 of them... and have never had them dry cleaned. I either air them out or gently hand wash and lay them flat. I rarely need to do that.

The few that have pilled have a very easy solution... buy one of the very inexpensive hand held gagets on Amazon. I just bought a new one, and it works so well. I've used that on many different things and other brands and types of sweaters. I also keep a bar or two of soap with my sweaters and have never had a moth problem (knock wood!).

I hope you enjoy if you purchased. I have so many different styles and colors and enjoy them all.