How often should you really be washing your knitwear? Should we be folding or hanging ‘em? And what’s the deal with those little balls of fluff (AKA pilling) that seem to appear out of nowhere? We’re glad you asked. Here are our tips on how to keep your knitwear in the best possible shape.
WASH SPARINGLY
Wool, being a natural fibre, is pretty good at resisting stains, so you won’t find yourself washing it as often as other fabrics. Before tossing it in the wash, give it a onceover to see if it’s really necessary. You might be able to brush or dab out any dirt or stains before they set. And when you do wash, stick to cold or warm water to avoid any unexpected shrinking disasters. Nobody wants to end up with a child-sized sweater, right?
BE GENTLE
When handwashing, don’t get too vigorous with the scrubbing or wringing. Treat your woolens like delicate treasures by filling the sink and gently placing them in there. Skip the direct water stream and opt for a cold water soak before washing to prevent any unwanted shrinking. Remember, heat and agitation are wool’s arch-nemeses, so handle with care.
Now, onto merino wool—extra soft, but still deserving of TLC. Whether handwashing or using a delicate machine cycle, take it easy. No soaking or hot water baths allowed, and always let them dry in the shade. To maintain quality, flip those garments inside out before washing. While the washing machine can work, it does pose some risks like yarn pulls, so consider popping them in a mesh laundry bag for protection. And when you do use the machine, always make sure it's set to a "wool" or "delicates" cycle.
DRY CAREFULLY
When it comes to drying your woollengear, tumble drying is a no-go. Those fibers deserve way better. Instead, go for the flat-drying approach, away from direct sunlight to maintain their colours. Hanging wet jumpers on a clothesline? That’s a recipe for a stretched out disaster. And don’t even think about tossing them in the dryer unless you’re aiming for some serious shrinkage.
STORAGE
Before stashing away your winter gears, make sure you give them a good clean. That’ll help to keep any moths at bay. When it comes to storage, always opt for folding your knitwear instead of hanging it. Hanging can lead to stretching. Not what we want at all.
FINALLY
Heads-up: some of your knitwear might be a mix of different fabrics thrown in, like lambswool and merino. These wool blends? They have a tendency to pill a bit more. No worries, though. We’ve got a handy solution: check out a Sweater Stone. It’s the MVP for keeping your garments in tip-top shape by regularly de-pilling them.
Trust us, it’s a game-changer.