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How To Care For Knitwear

Soft, cosy and easy to wear, warm knitwear is a wardrobe essential during the colder weather seasons.
Make your knitwear last for longer and take good care of your favourite knitted pieces with our helpful guide on
how to care for knitwear all year round.

How to wash knitwear

Washing your women’s knitwear and men’s knitwear requires a bit of care to avoid stretching, shrinking or damaging fibres.
Here’s how to do it:

Check the care label

Start by reading the care label on your knitwear. It will provide clear instructions regarding the type of washing method (hand wash,
machine wash, or dry clean only) that is best for the garment.

Prep the knitwear

- Remove pilling: Use a sweater stone or a fabric shaver to gently remove any pilling before washing.
- Close fasteners: Fasten buttons and zip up zippers to avoid snagging during washing.

Choose the washing method

Hand washing (recommended for most knits)

- Fill a basin with cold water: Use lukewarm or cold water to avoid shrinking or felting.
- Add a mild detergent: Use a washing detergent that’s specifically formulated for delicate wool or fabrics.
- Soak the knitwear: Submerge the garment and gently swish it around. Let it soak for about 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly: Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean water. Gently press the garment to remove soap.
Repeat until the water runs clear.

Machine washing (if allowed by the care label)

- Use a mesh bag: Place the knitwear into a mesh laundry bag so that it’s protected.
- Select a gentle cycle: Choose the wool or delicate cycle on your washing machine.
- Cold water only: Always use colder water to avoid and minimise shrinkage.
- Mild detergent: Use a detergent that’s suitable for wool or delicates.

Can you dry clean knitwear?

Yes, you can dry clean knitwear but it’ll depend on the type of knit and the fabric it’s made from.
Here are some general guidelines to follow:

When to dry clean knitwear:

- Delicate fibres: If knitwear is made from delicate fibres like silk or cashmere, dry cleaning is often recommended to avoid
damage during washing.
- Structured knits: Heavily structured knits such as blazers or coats which traditionally feature a lot of structure and shape benefit from
dry cleaning to maintain their best form.
- Colour and embellishments: If the knitwear has vibrant colours, patterns, or embellishments like beads or sequins, dry cleaning can
help preserve them.
- Care label instructions: Always check the care label instructions. If it specifically says “Dry Clean Only”, it’s advised to follow that
recommendation.

When to avoid dry cleaning:

- Everyday knits: From common, everyday knits made from cotton, synthetic fibres or wool, hand washing or gentle machine washing
may be better. Frequent dry cleaning can cause fibres to weaken over time.
- Environmental considerations: Dry cleaning uses chemicals that can be harsh on your clothing and on the environment. Hand washing
with a mild detergent is often a more eco-friendly and gentler option.

How to care for knitwear:

- Hand washing: Use cold water and a gentle detergent specifically for wool or delicate fabrics. Soak the knitwear for about
15 minutes, gently agitate, and rinse thoroughly. Avoid wringing out the water; instead, gently press out the excess water and lay flat to dry.
- Machine washing: If the care label allows, use a delicate cycle, cold water, and a mesh laundry bag to protect the
garment. Lay flat to dry to maintain the shape.

Can you put knitwear in the dryer?

Putting knitwear in the dryer is generally not recommended. Most knitwear, especially those made from wool, cashmere, or other natural fibres,
can lose shape, shrink, or become damaged when exposed to the heat and tumbling of a dryer.

Here’s a breakdown:

- Wool and cashmere: These fibres are highly susceptible to shrinking in the dryer. The heat causes the fibres to contract, which can
  significantly reduce the size of your garment.
- Cotton knitwear: Cotton is less likely to shrink than wool fabrics, but it can still shrink in the dryer. Cotton knitwear may also lose its shape or
become misshapen.
- Synthetic fibres: Knitwear made from synthetic fibres like acrylic or polyester is generally more resistant to shrinkage but can still be damaged
  by the heat, causing it to lose its elasticity or form.
- Blends: Knitwear that blends natural and synthetic fibres can have mixed results. The natural fibres may shrink while the synthetic ones hold
  their shape, leading to distortion of the garment.

Best practices:

Air drying: Lay knitwear flat on a clean towel or drying rack to dry naturally. This helps maintain the shape and prevents shrinking.

Low heat setting: If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and check your garments frequently. Some knitwear items may tolerate this,
but it's risky.

Dryer balls: If using a dryer, adding dryer balls can help reduce drying time and prevent the garment from becoming too misshapen.

Be sure to check the care label on your knitwear before drying, as it will provide the best guidance for that
specific item.

Can you iron knitwear?

Yes, you can iron knitwear but you need to do so with care to avoid damaging the fabrics.
Here are some top tips on how to iron knitwear properly:

- Check the care label: Always start by checking the care label on your knitwear to see if ironing is recommended. Some fabrics, like acrylic or
  delicate wool blends, may not tolerate direct heat well.
- Use a low heat setting: If the care label indicates that ironing is safe, use the lowest heat setting on your iron. Wool or synthetic settings are
usually appropriate.
- Use a pressing cloth: Place a clean, damp pressing cloth (like a cotton tea towel or a piece of muslin) between the iron and the knitwear to protect
the fibres from direct heat. This also helps to avoid any shiny marks that can appear on some fabrics.
- Iron inside out: Iron the knitwear inside out. This helps to protect the surface of the fabric and prevents any unwanted flattening of the knit texture.
- Steam instead of pressing: Rather than pressing down on the knitwear, use the steam function of your iron or a steamer to gently relax the fibres.
Hold the iron slightly above the fabric and let the steam do the work!
- Avoid stretching: Be careful not to stretch the knitwear while ironing. Lay the garment flat on the ironing board and gently smooth out
  wrinkles without pulling the fabric.
- Let It cool: After ironing, allow the knitwear to cool completely while lying flat before moving or folding it. This helps the fabric set in its
  new shape.

By following these steps, you can safely iron knitwear without damaging the delicate fibres.

How to store knitwear

Storing your knitwear properly is essential to maintaining its texture, shape and longevity.
Read on to discover our top tips on how to store knitwear:

Cleaning before storing

- Wash or dry clean: Make sure the knitwear is clean before storing it to avoid attracting pests like moths. Follow the care instructions on the label—some knitwear can be machine-washed, while others may require hand washing or dry cleaning.
- Dry thoroughly: Make sure knitwear is completely dry before storing to prevent mildew or mould.

Folding vs hanging

- Fold, don’t hang: Always fold knitwear rather than hanging it. Hanging can cause knitwear to stretch out of shape due to the weight of the fabric, especially at the shoulders.
- Use tissue paper: If folding, place sheets of acid-free tissue paper between layers to help maintain the shape and to prevent creases forming.

Choose the right storage location

- Cool, dry place: Store knitwear in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade colours and weaken fibres.
- Avoid damp areas: Avoid storing in damp areas like basements or attics, where humidity can cause mould and mildew.

Storage containers

- Breathable storage bags: Use breathable cotton or linen storage bags to protect your knitwear. Avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture.
-Plastic bins with cedar blocks: If you prefer plastic bins, make sure they’re ventilated. Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to repel moths naturally.
- Vacuum-sealed bags: While vacuum-sealed bags save space, they can compress and damage delicate knitwear fibres, so use them cautiously for sturdier items only.

Moth protection

- Cedar or lavender: Place cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or other natural moth repellents in your storage area to deter pests. Avoid direct contact with the knitwear to prevent oils from staining the fabric.
- Moth traps: Consider using moth traps in the storage area as an additional precaution.

Regularly air out

- Rotate and air out: Periodically take your knitwear out of storage to air it out and check for any signs of damage. This helps to maintain freshness and prevent prolonged creases.

De-pill before storing

- Remove pills: Before storing, remove any pilling with a fabric shaver or sweater stone. This prevents the pills from embedding into the fabric over time.

Label your storage

- Organise and label: If you have multiple pieces of knitwear, organise them by type, season, or colour, and label your storage containers for easy access.

Following these steps will help keep your knitwear in excellent condition for years to come.

How to remove pilling

Pilling occurs when fibres in a fabric become tangled together into small balls, often caused by friction or wear.
Here’s how you can remove pilling from clothing and other fabrics:

Use a fabric shaver

- How: Gently run the shaver over the fabric. It will trim off the pills, leaving the fabric
looking smooth.
- Tip: Be careful not to press too hard to avoid cutting or damaging the fabric.

Use a razor

- How: Lightly run a disposable razor over the pilled area. Pull the fabric taut with one hand and gently shave off the pills with the other.
- Tip: Move slowly and carefully to avoid cutting the fabric.

Use a lint roller or tape

- How: Roll a lint roller or press tape over the pilled area to lift off the pills
- Tip: This method works best for light pilling.

Use a pumice stone or sweater comb

- How: Lightly rub a pumice stone or a sweater comb over the pilled area to remove the pills.
- Tip: Make sure to be gentle, especially on delicate fabrics.

Wash carefully to prevent future pilling

- Inside-out: Turn garments inside out before washing to reduce friction.
- Gentle cycle: Use a gentle cycle and cold water.
- Mesh bags: Place delicate items in a mesh laundry bag.
- Fabric softener: Use a fabric softener to reduce friction in the wash.

Hand wash delicate items

- How: Hand washing can be gentler on fabrics, reducing the chance of pilling.
- Tip: Use a mild detergent and avoid wringing the fabric to prevent damage.

Avoid heat

- How: Heat can weaken fibres, making them more prone to pilling. Avoid high-heat drying and ironing.
- Tip: Air-dry clothes or use a low heat setting.

By following these tips, you can effectively remove pillling and keep your fabrics looking new.

It can seem difficult to care for your knitwear but with our helpful tips and expert advice, you’ll be able to make the most of your
knitted garments for many seasons (and years) to come.

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