Shrinking Wool Agitating wool will cause it to shrink. Put your sweater in the washing machine but it's important when washing wool to not agitate it more than 45 seconds in the washer then let it soak for an hour or so . Feel free to spin it on the spin cycle to remove the water. Lay it out flat and a towel and it should dry in a day.
Water is good for wool.
Chemicals are not as they cause wool to rot.